How much does AC installation and service cost
The cost depends on the job. Portable AC installation covers a window sealing kit for the exhaust hose, the drain connection, and a test run. AC service covers cleaning, filters, flushing the drain and disinfection. Basic fixings and sealing materials are included in the installation price; new filters and any extra materials are paid separately. On the price list, installation runs roughly 250–500 zł and service 200–500 zł, with the exact figure depending on the job. Current prices are in the table below.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Portable air conditioner setup | 250–500 zł |
| Air conditioner service | 200–500 zł |
Indicative prices. Ranges for a typical scope. Fixings included, materials separate. Minimum order 300 zł.
What neither service includes: checking or topping up refrigerant, or tracing leaks. In Poland only companies and technicians with F-gas (F-gaz) certification may work on the refrigerant circuit, so you can’t book that through the app. If your unit has stopped cooling because of a leak, contact a certified company directly.
What it costs and how to book: furniture assembly in Warsaw.
How portable AC installation works
- You describe the job in the app and add photos of the room and window. From the photos a tradesperson can see whether the window will take the exhaust hose.
- Tradespeople send offers with a price. You pick who to work with and agree on a visit time.
- On site, the technician checks the window type (tilt-and-turn, sliding), where the socket is, and how far it is from the window.
- Next comes the window sealing kit: a fabric or plastic insert closes the gap around the hose so hot air from outside stays out.
- The corrugated exhaust hose goes onto the unit and out through the seal. It shouldn’t be kinked, and extra length only hurts.
- Then the condensate: the technician connects a drain hose or checks the built-in evaporation system. If the model has no auto-evaporation, they set up a container or run a hose.
- Finally the unit is switched on and tested in every mode (cooling, fan, dehumidifying), and the outlet temperature is measured.
Common mistakes when installing a portable AC
- The window is left open with no seal. Hot air from outside pours in and the AC works for almost nothing.
- The exhaust hose is longer than it needs to be: every extra metre eats into the cooling.
- The unit sits right against a wall. The air intake is blocked, the unit overheats and shuts down.
- Filters go uncleaned for months, dust clogs the grille, the power bill climbs and the room stays warmer.
- The AC shares a power strip with other appliances. A portable unit draws up to 1.5 kW, and an overloaded strip is a fire hazard.
- Nobody watches the condensate: the tank overflows onto the floor, usually at night.
- The hose points upward, so condensate runs back into the unit.
What to prepare before the technician arrives
- Unpack the unit and check the kit: exhaust hose, window adapter, drain hose.
- Decide which room it goes in. The technician needs the room size.
- Look at the window. Tilt-and-turn is the easiest; sliding windows need a different panel.
- There should be a socket rated at least 16A within 1.5 metres of the window.
- Socket far away? Message the technician in advance so they can bring an extension lead of the right gauge.
- Clear the area by the window, since they’ll need the sill and the sash.
- Whether curtains or blinds have to come down is worth settling before the visit.
- Have the intercom code and parking details ready too.
- Cover any carpet with plastic sheeting in case condensate drips during setup.
- Keep the manual handy: it lists the wattage and ventilation requirements.
A real case from Warsaw
A client in Srodmiescie bought a 3.5 kW portable AC for a 25 m² living room. Fifth floor, south-facing windows, and on summer afternoons the room was unbearable. The snag was the windows: tilt-and-turn with a narrow opening, and the universal fabric seal from the kit didn’t fit. The technician cut the seal to the sash, fixed it with hook-and-loop tape and ran the hose through the top of the window. The socket was on the opposite wall, so they laid a cable channel and fitted a separate socket closer to the unit. The model had no auto-evaporation, so the drain hose went into a 5-litre plastic container. After startup the room dropped from 32 to 24 degrees in 40 minutes. A month later the client booked a service as well: the filter was already dusty, and after cleaning the unit cooled noticeably better.
Frequently asked questions
Is a portable AC noisy?
Yes, portable units are louder than split systems, usually 50-65 dB. Proper setup cuts the vibration: the unit stands level on a flat surface with non-slip pads under the feet.
Can I skip routing the exhaust hose through a window?
No. If the hot air doesn’t go outside, the unit cools and heats the room at the same time, and you end up with nothing. The hose is a must.
How often does an AC need servicing?
With heavy use, clean the filters every 2-3 weeks. A full service (cleaning, drain, disinfection) once a season, ideally before summer. A refrigerant check isn’t part of it: that’s a job for someone with F-gas certification.
What is included in the installation price?
Labour, fitting the window seal, connecting the exhaust hose and drain, and a test run. Extra materials (extension lead, non-standard seal, condensate container) are paid separately.
Does the AC need a dedicated electrical circuit?
For stronger models (3 kW and up) it’s a good idea. Portable units draw a lot, and a weak power strip shared with other devices can overheat the wiring. If the socket gets warm or the building’s wiring is old, don’t run the unit until a tradesperson has looked at it.
Can I book a split system through the app?
No. The catalogue covers installing portable (floor-standing) units and servicing them. A split system means drilling the facade, mounting an outdoor unit and connecting the refrigerant circuit, and in Poland only companies and technicians with F-gas certification may work with refrigerant. Look for such a company directly, and ask building management about the facade first, as approval is often needed.
Can I use the AC in winter for heating?
Some portable models have a heating mode. It doesn’t do much: it uses a lot of power and usually lacks the output for winter. People buy an AC for cooling.
What do I do with the condensate?
Depends on the model. With auto-evaporation the water leaves with the hot exhaust air. Without it, the technician connects a drain hose to a container or sets up a run-off, and picks the option on site.
Who does the work
HandyMan24 is a platform with no crews of its own. You describe the job, tradespeople send offers, and you choose who does it. Each tradesperson works for themselves: they issue the invoice and answer for their own work. They bring their own tools, seals and consumables, and anything non-standard is best talked through from photos before the visit. Orders are taken from anywhere in Poland. You can describe yours in the app.
Order in the app
Describe the job, add photos and the address. Tradespeople send their own prices and dates, and you pick one of the offers.
Open the app
