What You Must Know Before You Book a Technician
Every summer we get calls from people in Lahore whose brand-new AC is already causing problems — gas leaks, water dripping inside, poor cooling, or the compressor cutting off. In almost every case, the problem is not the AC itself. It is a poor installation job
AC installation is not just drilling a hole in the wall and connecting two pipes. Done correctly, it sets the AC up to run efficiently and last for years. Done poorly, it creates problems that cost more to fix than the installation itself.
Here is what you need to know before you book an AC installation in Lahore.
1. Pipe quality is everything
The copper pipes that connect your indoor and outdoor units carry the refrigerant gas. This is where most installation problems begin. Low-quality or thin copper pipes develop micro-cracks and pinholes within a year or two, causing gas leaks that require repeated refilling.
Always ask the installer what grade of copper pipe they are using. In Lahore’s market, there is a significant quality difference between cheap copper piping (thin, soft, prone to cracking) and proper ACR-grade copper pipe (thicker walls, designed specifically for AC refrigerant lines). The price difference is modest — a few hundred rupees — but the impact on long-term performance is enormous.
At Xpert AC Service, we only use ACR-grade copper piping on all installations.
2. The outdoor unit placement matters more than people think
Where your outdoor unit is placed affects cooling performance, noise, and the lifespan of the compressor. Common mistakes in Lahore installations:
Placing the unit in a fully enclosed corner with no airflow. The outdoor unit needs to expel heat — if hot air cannot escape, it recirculates and the compressor overheats.
Placing it in direct western sunlight all afternoon. A unit sitting in full afternoon sun in Lahore summer works significantly harder. If there is a choice, a north or east-facing wall is better.
Placing it on a surface that amplifies vibration noise. Proper anti-vibration mounts should always be used.
3. Pipe length affects gas pressure
The longer the copper pipe run between indoor and outdoor unit, the more gas pressure adjustment may be needed. For standard installations in Lahore apartments (pipes under 5 metres), this is rarely an issue. But if your installation requires a long pipe run — say, the outdoor unit is several floors away — the installer must account for this. An inexperienced installer who ignores pipe length may leave the system with incorrect gas pressure from day one.
4. The flare connections must be made correctly
The points where the copper pipe connects to the indoor and outdoor units are called flare connections. If these are not made with proper flare tools and tightened to the correct torque, they will develop slow gas leaks. You may not notice for months — but the gas will gradually escape and your cooling will decline.
This is one of the most common causes of “gas leaks” we find in Lahore — it is not actually a pipe leak, it is a poorly made connection from the original installation.
5. Drainage must be routed properly and tested
Your indoor AC unit removes humidity from the air as it cools. This moisture drains out through a drainage pipe. If this pipe is not routed with a continuous downward slope, or if it is too long or poorly joined, it will block. When it blocks, water backs up and drips from your indoor unit onto your wall or ceiling.
Before the installation is considered complete, the technician should run the AC for 10 to 15 minutes and confirm that water is draining properly from the outdoor end of the drainage pipe.
6. Electrical requirements
A 1.5-ton AC typically draws 1,200 to 1,800 watts. A 2-ton unit draws more. These should ideally be connected to a dedicated circuit with the correct wire gauge, not shared with other appliances. In many older Lahore houses, we find ACs connected to existing wiring that was not designed for the load — this is a fire risk and also causes voltage-related AC damage over time.
If you are installing a new AC in an older Lahore property, ask your electrician to confirm the wiring is adequate before the installation.
7. Test everything before the technician leaves
Before signing off on any AC installation, the technician should test the following in front of you:
- The AC cools the room noticeably within 15 minutes of running
- Water drains from the outdoor drainage pipe exit
- There are no unusual sounds from the indoor or outdoor unit
- There are no unusual sounds from the indoor or outdoor unit
- There are no unusual sounds from the indoor or outdoor unit
- All modes (cool, fan, dry) work from the remote
- The outdoor unit runs stably without cutting off
What does AC installation cost in Lahore?
Standard split AC installation with copper pipe (up to 3 metres) typically costs Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 depending on the installer and pipe quality. Be cautious of very cheap quotes — they usually mean low-quality pipe or shortcuts in the flare connections.
At Xpert AC Service, our installation service includes ACR-grade copper pipe, proper flare connections, drainage routing and testing, outdoor unit mounting with anti-vibration pads, and a 30-day warranty on the installation workmanship.
To book an installation or get a quote, call or WhatsApp us at 0340-1424525. We install all major brands across all areas of Lahore.