Fixed Air Conditioners Without External Unit

What is a fixed air conditioner without an outdoor unit?

The fixed monobloc wall air conditioner encloses the entire circuit in a single appliance installed inside the room. There is no outdoor motor to hang on the facade: the exhaust air passes through two holes drilled in the perimeter wall, closed off outside by simple grilles. It is the ideal answer when the building regulations, a landscape constraint or a lack of space prevent fitting the classic outdoor unit.

How it works and where the holes go

The monobloc fixes high up on the wall facing the outside and requires two holes about 16 centimetres in diameter, one for intake and one for expelling the air. The distance between the two holes and the height from the floor depend on the model, so it is best to check the installation dimensions before drilling. Since it is a single block, there is no gas piping to weld between inside and outside: assembly is faster and less invasive than a traditional split.

How many BTU do you need for your room?

The capacity is chosen based on the square metres and the insulation of the room. In this category you will mainly find these sizes:

• 5000 BTU: small rooms up to around 15 m², such as studies and children's bedrooms.
• 7000 and 8000 BTU: rooms from 15 to 25 m², such as bedrooms and kitchens.
• 9000 and 10000 BTU: medium-sized living rooms from 25 to 35 m².
• 12000 and 14000 BTU: large rooms and open-plan spaces.

If you need more capacity or more rooms served by a single appliance, also consider the wall-mounted air conditioners with a classic split.

Output, consumption and energy class

The performance of these monobloc units is read in the SEER values for cooling and the SCOP for heating: the higher they are, the lower the consumption. At equal capacity, a fixed unit without an outdoor unit has a slightly lower output than a split with a separate motor, because all the heat exchange happens at the wall, but in return it completely eliminates the bulk outside. Many heat pump models cool in summer and heat in winter.

The brands available

You will find the manufacturers specialised in this technology, with official warranty and available spare parts: Innova, Olimpia Splendid, Diloc and Argo. Prices start at around 669 euros and go up to the most complete solutions around 2745 euros, with immediate availability across all sizes in stock.

When the fixed monobloc makes sense

This solution is perfect in flats where outdoor units are banned, in heritage town centres under constraint, in studio flats and anywhere the facade cannot host a motor. It stays fixed and quiet in its place, unlike a portable to be moved around. If instead you are looking for flexibility and no holes, take a look at the portable air conditioners; if you want to manage everything from your smartphone, check out the smart models with Alexa and Google Home.

Related solutions

• All air conditioners
• Wall-mounted monosplit
• All offers

Frequently asked questions