Why it’s so warm up there
The roof takes the full force of the sun all day. Even with good insulation, some of that heat gets through, and windows set into the roof let in more. Heat from the rest of the house rises too. The result is a room that can be several degrees warmer than the floor below.
Options for the room
- Wall unit on the gable end. The most common answer, because the end wall is full height and backs onto the outside.
- Wall unit on a dwarf wall. Compact models fit the short walls under the slope.
- Ducted unit in the eaves. Best planned during the build, with grilles in the ceiling or wall.
The outdoor unit generally sits at ground level, with the pipes taken neatly down the outside of the house.
Working with your builder
If the conversion isn’t finished, ask your builder to leave a route for the refrigerant pipes and a spare circuit for power. That avoids chasing walls later. Once the room is plastered and decorated, a wall unit is still straightforward, just with a little more care around the finish.
Questions
Does a dormer make it harder?
Not usually. A dormer’s flat walls can be a good place for the indoor unit, depending on where the outside wall is.
Will it look bulky in a small loft room?
Units come in compact sizes, and a slim white unit high on the wall tends to blend in well.
See a figure for your loft
A few quick questions in the estimate and the guide price appears on screen.