FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- What warranty do I get?
- Can you service and repair our systems even though you have not installed them?
- What does your quotation normally exclude?
- Do your systems comply with Health and Safety requirements?
- Are projects fully managed?
- Can works be undertaken ‘out of hours’?
- Do your systems qualify for ECA’s ( Enhanced Capital Allowances )?
- I would like a budget quotation, what do I do?
- Is there any chance of catching Legionella from your systems?
- I have heard air conditioning systems are expensive to operate and run, is this true?
- What other services can you offer once the installation is complete?
- How long does an installation take to complete and install?
- How do I know the equipment you propose will last and be reliable?
- Can I have a system which cools and heats?
- I do not have a three-phase electrical power supply into my building, can I still have an efficient system?
- Do we need planning permission for the installation?
Systems are offered complete with a 12 months parts and labour warranty which is extendable to 36 months dependant upon the manufacturer selected. For example we are able to offer the majority of Japanese products c/w a 12 month parts and labour warranty and an additional 24 month parts only warranty.
All warranties are subject to a maintenance regime in line with the manufacturers and Air Options guidelines. This is much the same as buying a new car and having it serviced to validate the warranty. A simple analogy of this would be:
You are expected to have a new car serviced in line with the manufacturers mileage intervals to validate the warranty. In the event you exceed this interval and did not for example have the oil changed within the engine which consequently blows up, the manufacturer or dealer will not be liable to pay for the replacement. In this case you would be expected to pay for the engine replacement.
In the event the engine was replenished in line with the service intervals, the dealer would replace the engine and claim for the costs back from the manufacturer. This works much the same for an air conditioning installer.
Maintenance costs start from as little as £149.00 per annum and upwardly increase dependant upon the size and complexity of the installation. Please contact the office in the event you require a quotation.
2. Can you service & repair our systems even though you have not installed them?
We can supply service and maintenance works for all systems whether they have been installed by Air Options or not. We can also in certain cases offer extended warranties to plant installed by our competition.
We offer contracts and works costed by the hour whichever suits your requirement.
3. What does your quotation normally exclude?
We pride ourselves that our costing include or exclude exactly what the client requests and have no hidden catches. We are happy to include all electrical and builders works and in general are contracted to offer a full working solution. Maintenance costs are to be considered as an additional sum and will be costed separately upon request.
4. Do your systems comply with Health and Safety requirements?
All systems we offer comply with Health and Safety requirements. All documentation produced also complies with the same.
We produce all method statements and risk assessments for the proposed installation or service / repair works in line with our quoted costings. This documentation is released upon receipt of an official order or letter of intent.
5. Are projects fully managed?
All projects no matter how large or small are fully managed by our nominated supervisory and project management staff. Whether a project is 2k or 200k it will be managed to the same high level.
6. Can works be undertaken ‘out of hours’?
Yes we are happy to carry out works during the evening or a weekend to minimise disruption at your place of work. It should be noted that costs ‘out of hours’ are slightly more expensive than normal working hours due to an increase in our staff's pay scale for these unsociable hours. Additional costs are available upon application.
7. Do your systems qualify for ECA’s ( Enhanced Capital Allowances )?
Air Options where possible specify and install equipment which qualifies for Enhanced Capital allowances. The industry has evolved somewhat during the past few years and the majority of light commercial office air conditioning plant qualifies for ECA’s and where budgetary limitations are less stringent will be quoted for your requirement. In the event this is an area which particularly interests you, please feel free to call the office and we can discuss your requirements in full.
8. I would like a budget quotation, what do I do?
Firstly make a few notes regarding the area you require a quote for. Please note the following information you will be asked for:
- Size of area to be served (including ceiling height) eg 3m x 4m (2.5m ceiling). These only need to be approximate dimensions.
- Number of occupants within the area and brief description of the environment eg seated at work at a workstation answering calls etc.
- Type of ceiling (standard plastered or cellular ceiling grid).
- Approximate distance between the area to be served and an external location (courtyard or outside wall).
- You can then do one of three things : Call the office and speak to one of our technical / sales staff who will be happy to discuss the project and your requirement. Secondly use the cost calculator on this website to give you a budgetary quote. Finally you can fill in the online enquiry form (don’t forget to add the details asked for above) and once received we will call you back with a competitive quote.
- Once we have given you a quote and you are comfortable with the figures we will happily arrange for a surveyor to visit your premises and produce a firm quotation which can then be accepted and installed in line with your timescales.
9. Is there any chance of catching Legionella from your systems?
In simple terms none of the systems we engineer and install can put you or your staff at risk. For more details of the systems we offer and how we eliminate the risk of legionella please call the office.
We cannot comment with regard to any existing services and equipment within your building but will happily undertake a survey of existing plant in the event you are concerned. Routine maintenance of existing systems can eliminate the risk of legionella. Service and maintenance is also an area we can help you with.
10. I have heard air conditioning systems are expensive to operate and run. Is this true?
We hear this all of the time and it is quite simply untrue. There are systems within the market place which are expensive to run due to being inefficient but the systems we offer are extremely energy efficient.
It should be noted however that a running cost will now be experienced during summer months with air conditioning installed whereas prior to this it was only a winter heating bill to be considered.
11. What other services can you offer once the installation is complete?
Air Options are able to offer extensive services ranging from simple telephone support to fully managed on site maintenance contracts. We are happy to service and repair the equipment for years to come whether under warranty or not. On many occasions we are able to offer extended warranties to suit your budget.
12. How long does an installation take to complete and install?
How long is a piece of string? An installation depending upon its complexity and spend level can be phased from a single day to many months. The timescales will be indicated once a budgetary cost has been provided and the quotation is made firm.
13. How do I know the equipment you propose will last and be reliable?
Air Options have been trading for well in excess of eleven years with some staff having well in excess of twenty years experience. All of the products we sell are market leading brands and have an expected life of approx fifteen years dependant upon application. This life span is of course subject to routine maintenance.
There are cheaper products within the industry which last only a few years before they become unreliable. At Air Options we steer well clear of these and only offer the market leading brands. We would rather walk away from these brands and this type of work and have done on many occasions with no regrets.
14. Can I have a system which cools and heats?
Yes! Systems heat and cool if required from the same piece of kit. To give you an idea , heat pump systems can be offered for only a few percent more when compared to cooling systems and in some cases for the same cost.
If you are extending, why not allow us to quote for heating and cooling and save money by eliminating the need to upgrade boilers and add radiators.
15. I do not have a three-phase electrical power supply into my building, can I still have an efficient system?
Yes! Energy efficient systems are available in both three phase and single phase. We can even offer gas fired systems to heat and cool. Whatever your limitation on site we are sure we will be able to offer a solution.
16. Do we need planning permission for the installation?
This varies dependant upon the type of installation you require and has no simple answer. There are two types of permission to consider which are local authority permissions and landlord permissions. Both of the aforementioned areas are something we can help with as we do on many occasions on the clients behalf. We will produce all drawings and correspondence and liaise with either the landlord or planning office on your behalf freeing you up to get on with your already busy schedule.
