How to install air conditioning in the center of Montpellier: “Easy and practical solutions exist, without impacting heritage”

Les unités de climatisation ne peuvent pas être installées sans accord. Midi Libre – L. D.

Pour préserver l’Écusson et certains quartiers, la Mission Grand cœur qui veille sur le patrimoine conseille et accompagne les personnes qui souhaiteraient se lancer dans des travaux.

With the stifling heat, it is not always easy to cool your home. And moreover, many wrongly think that it is impossible to equip yourself with an air conditioner, particularly in the city center area. While it is enough – and that it is best to do so – to obtain information from the dedicated service: the Big Heart mission.

1. A protected perimeter

In the service's offices located on Boulevard du Jeu de Paume, huge maps demarcating several areas of the city decorate the walls, in particular the remarkable heritage site defined as a protected sector which includes the & rsquo;Ecusson and which extends over 96 hectares, supplemented by larger areas framed by the main boulevards.

And within this well-defined perimeter, it is obligatory to declare the slightest work, outdoors, but also indoors.

"The crest, among others, is an essential heritage in Montpellier and it must not be distorted", we explain from the city side. But beyond the Grand Coeur sector, work carried out outdoors must also be declared.

2. Heritage conservation, a responsibility

The mission of Grégory Bros: to find solutions so that they adapt to heritage. Midi Libre – L.D.

"We are here to ensure the conservation of heritage and its transmission". Grégory Bros, administrative assistant of the heritage department takes his role at heart, like its mission. "Living in the old place commits owners to more responsibilities. There are constraints that may prove more demanding than elsewhere…", he specifies.

3. Fears of owners

Some people come through the door to ask for information, but prefer "to remain anonymous and without giving an address before seeing if their project is possible&hellip ;" Perhaps to give yourself the opportunity to install an air conditioning unit “in secret” – with the risk of getting pinned later…

"We have the reputation of banning everything even though that is not the case." On the contrary, the welcome is warm and friendly. The agents are there to advise and support everyone in their efforts. And above all find solutions. And when it comes to the installation of air conditioning devices, many are easy and practical. All you need to do is install suitable equipment.

4. Solutions provided

To avoid the visual pollution embodied by an air conditioning motor on a facade, you need to know what to install."With monobloc devices which are increasingly efficient, two holes towards the outside are enough, decorated with wrought iron grilles which are available on the market and that's it."

Depending on needs, other equipment may be offered as well as cladding designed to avoid nuisance.

Different possible equipment to integrate an air conditioner on a roof. City of Montpellier

Precautions to take

To install air conditioning devices there are two possibilities:

– An air conditioner without a unit outdoor like monobloc models or portable air conditioners – &agrav; each time the exterior exits must be covered by a grille.

– By hiding the unité exterior of the air conditioner. Là several possibilities which can prove expensive.

On the roof, by integrating the unité behind a masonry work in a box è slats, made of wood or metal. In a window carpentry behind a grille.

In an existing opening in the facade, such as a niche, a boarded-up window masked by louvers, a grille or a louvered shutter.

5. Steps to follow

To be certain of being on target, you must complete a Cerfa compulsory declaration form and submit it with the description of the work and photos of the facade to the Directorate of ;rsquo;applied urban planning.

But the best is to go to the Mission Grand Coeur and get advice directly on site, or by telephone, "everything can be done digitally&quot ;.

It is also possible to make an appointment – free – with a consulting architect. "We give technical advice on projects in relation to the regulations in force, we provide support and show the possibilities&quot ;,we specify in the service. Then it takes a month for the file to be studied and validated – or not – by the architects of Bâtiments de France.

What the PLU says…

The Local Urban Planning Plan (PLU) is an urban planning document which, at the scale of the municipality, translates a global project of the city. development and town planning and accordingly sets the rules for development and land use.

On the subject of air conditioners it is specified that "in all constructions, air conditioners and other air treatment devices must be integrated into the structure and subject to specific treatment.

Air conditioning equipment or other air treatment devices must not be installed overlooking public or private spaces open to the public. They must be subject to treatment that does not make them perceptible from public or private spaces open to the public or in co-visibility with a building classified as a historic monument or registered with the ;#39;additional inventory."

6. Reports

The town planning police carry out regular checks to ensure respect for heritage. However, some people make reports. "When there is abuse, we contact an agent who will go to the site to see. He can then draw up a report in the event of an irregularity with the regulations so that regularization work can be carried out to comply with the standards."

The urban planning police noted the installation of two outdoor units on a roof in the Saint-Roch church district. Some work will surely have to be carried out in order to hide the devices.

Before installation at the Saint-Roch church. Midi Libre – L.D.

Devices installed without consultation with Bâtiments de France. Midi Libre – L.D.

And if not, how to do it without air conditioning ?

Here are some techniques to refresh your interior:

– Insulate your home properly.

– Close windows, doors and shutters during the day to avoid letting in heat and ensure good ventilation at night.

– Install insulating shutters

– Turn off devices that may be turned off and that give off a lot of heat.

– Replace the light sources with LEDs or neons.

– Boost the action of your fan by placing a bottle of frozen water (it works even better when it is pierced) e), or ice cubes, in front of the breath of air.

– Invest in green plants.

Just for the area dedicated to the Mission Grand Cœur, some 1 200 to 1 600 files of all kinds are studied each year. With 80% favorable opinion, for the other 20%, support is provided to make the file valid. For certain projects, subsidies may even be offered.

Big Heart Mission. Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday until 4:30 p.m. 17 boulevard du Jeu de Paume. Such. 04 34 88 79 40. mission.grandcoeur@ville-montpellier.fr I subscribe to read more