Air conditioners create a favorable microclimate in the apartment. The technique controls the basic parameters of air: temperature, humidity, cleanliness. Having adjusted the equipment to comfortable indicators, owners need to enjoy the coolness and freshness. The climate technology market is filled with models of various capacities, functionality and cost. Information about the main characteristics and features of air conditioners will help you make the right choice.
Air conditioning for the apartment: what to look for
When searching for climatic equipment for an apartment, it is not enough to focus on its cost. The technique differs in power, functionality and design. Correctly choose an air conditioner for an apartment will allow a memo drawn up according to the main criteria of the equipment:
- Device power. Productivity in the cold provides a comfortable temperature. The power of the air conditioner is selected according to the area of the room and additional factors affecting the amount of heat. Formula for rough calculation: 1 kW per 10 m2.
- Place of installation - determine where it is convenient to place the device: window, wall, floor.
- The purpose of the acquisition is only cooling or two full-fledged modes - cold and heat.
- Noise level - all equipment creates a sound background in the process. The level of the indoor unit of the split system does not exceed 30 dB.
- Power consumption. The indicator depends on the class of energy efficiency equipment marked A (A +, A ++, A +++) will provide the lowest consumption.
- Air filtration system. All climatic equipment is equipped with filters. The degree of air purification depends on their design. Fine filters trap dust, allergens, unpleasant odors. Special UV and electrostatic barriers eliminate viruses and bacteria.
- Manufacturers The rating of the brands of HVAC equipment helps to determine the popular brands of air conditioners. Manufacturers with a good reputation offer models of various price categories.
Varieties of climate technology
First of all, they are determined with the type of air conditioner: a monoblock or split system, consisting of two or more modules.
Window unit
Air conditioning is installed in the window opening of the living room or kitchen. Its power is from 1.5 to 5.5 kW. Advantages of technology:
- affordable cost;
- quick and easy installation.
The disadvantages of window monoblocks are more than advantages:
- the integrity of the window is violated, with insufficient sealing, cold air enters;
- the design is distinguished by high noise;
- bulky system does not fit well into the interior of the room.
With a limited budget, window air conditioning is an acceptable option, but due to noise it is not recommended for a bedroom.
Mobile candy bar
Floor-mounted version of the air conditioner does not require significant investment of time and money for installation. Make a hole for the flexible hose that removes hot air. Mobile equipment is easily transported, it can be taken to the country. Among the cons:
- massive design requires free space;
- high noise
- condensate control, manual drainage of moisture.
Not the best option for a small footage apartment.
Split system
Structurally, the air conditioner consists of two parts:
- indoor unit - evaporator, cools (heats), purifies, moisturizes the air;
- the outdoor unit is a condenser, includes a compressor and a cooling system.
The modules are connected by a conduit of copper pipes through which refrigerant circulates. The external unit is always one, and the internal can be up to 5 pieces. The multisplit system is designed to serve several rooms. This option will cost less than installing individual air conditioners. Advantages of the split system:
- wide functionality - cooling, heating, drainage, humidification modes;
- air purification using a filter system;
- low noise due to the removal of the compressor outside the room;
- additional functions, intelligent settings;
- remote control;
- modern design of the indoor unit.
Varieties of split systems
According to the type of installation of the indoor unit, the equipment is divided into several types:
- Wall mounted is the most common option. The module is small in size, attached to the top of the wall. It controls remotely. It features a wide selection of decorative designs.
- Cassette - mounted behind a suspended ceiling, evenly distribute chilled air. Air conditioning for homes with ceilings of at least 3 m.
- Wall-and-ceiling - are installed at the bottom of the wall or under the ceiling. They take up little space, chilled air does not get on people. The flow is directed up or along the ceiling.
- Columned - models are designed for rooms with an area of more than 40 m2.
Disadvantages of split systems:
- air conditioning requires professional installation and additional installation costs;
- high cost of technology.
Air conditioners for home: the nuances of choice
The private house differs from the apartment in spacious rooms. Individual design involves various heights of ceilings, stairs in the lobby. For large areas, several types of climatic equipment are offered:
Column air conditioning
One of the options for a split system is characterized by floor mounting, high power and large dimensions. The column-shaped installation directs air upward, contributing to uniform cooling of the room. Models with inverter and traditional compressor, various filtering systems are offered. The advantages of the columns:
- high performance in cold and heat;
- original appearance that fits easily into the interior;
- use of the principle of natural convention in cooling.
The disadvantages include the high cost of the air conditioning device. Significant performance in the cold eliminates the possibility of use in small rooms.
Duct air conditioner
For a country house with high ceilings, channel air conditioning is the best option. Its indoor unit is installed in the duct behind the suspended ceiling. Through ventilation ducts, chilled streams are distributed throughout the house. The use of plastic or corrugated ducts is recommended. Advantages of the channel system:
- comprehensive customization;
- hidden installation;
- safe distribution of chilled air, recommended for the bedroom and children's room.
Disadvantages:
- design of air ducts is carried out simultaneously with the planning of the interior of the house;
- a complex system requires financial costs;
- reduces the height of the ceilings.
Detailed power calculation
Proper selection of an air conditioner is impossible without an accurate calculation of power. Equipment performance should take into account the volume of the room and all heat sources:
- Degree of illumination - a factor of 40 W / m3 for the sunny side is added, 35 W / m3 to the average illumination, 30 W / m3 - the windows face north or shade.
- Types and number of household appliances, PCs and other equipment - the heat indicator is calculated as 30% of the power consumption. PC - 300 W, TV - 200 W.
- Number of people - depending on physical activity, people generate from 100 to 150 watts.
Adding all the values calculate the cooling capacity. On some models, it is designated BTU. The American designation is easy to translate: 1 BTU = 0.29 watts.
Functionality
The selection of the air conditioner is carried out taking into account its capabilities. Among the standard offers of models 2016-2017, the “winter-summer” mode is even in the budget configuration. The only limitation is the outdoor temperature. Inexpensive equipment stops working at -5 ° C.
One of the issues that will have to be addressed is inverter or conventional air conditioning is better. The installation of a unit that regulates the rotation speed of the compressor engine reduces energy consumption and reduces wear on parts. Inverter systems are protected against voltage surges, provide a minimum noise level. For these benefits, you will have to pay about $ 200.
Additional functions:
- Dehumidifier - eliminates excess moisture from the apartment.
- Automatic modes - “comfortable sleep” - reducing power and noise at night. Self-diagnosis - testing system problems. Forcing - work at high power for quick cooling / heating of the room.
- Multistage filtration - models of air conditioners are equipped with various options for purification systems. Adsorption filters remove dust and odors, plasma and ultraviolet remove bacteria and fungi. Other models enrich the air with pleasant smells, ozone, vitamin C.
- Self-cleaning - the device dries and disinfects its own parts.
- A timer that turns equipment on and off at a given time.
Each additional function leads to an increase in price. Not all of the declared capabilities give a tangible effect.
Classes of HVAC equipment
The price of an air-conditioning device in many cases plays a decisive role. With sufficient funds, it is better to choose a premium air conditioner that will create a safe and comfortable microclimate in the apartment and house.
Elite technique
Home-made air conditioner of Japanese assembly or manufactured at enterprises with strict quality control. Distinctive features of the technique:
- intelligent systems such as “smart eye”;
- wide range of operating temperatures;
- stylish design of the indoor unit, characterized by a variety of shapes and colors;
- functioning in the modes: cooling, heating, ventilation, drainage and humidification;
- high-quality air purification.
Premium air conditioning manufacturers: Daikin, Airwell, Hitachi, FuJitsu General. The cost of models from 850 to 1500 $. Operation 10-15 years, manufacturer's warranty 3 years.
Middle segment
Middle-class equipment is a combination of quality and affordable cost. The equipment has fewer self-diagnosis capabilities and protection against operational malfunctions. The average price of equipment with a capacity of 2 kW is $ 700-850. The middle class includes brands Toshiba, Gree. Panasonic Fuji Electric.
A budget option
The group combined low-cost air conditioners manufactured in China, Korea and Russia. Budget equipment loses in quality of assembly, does not have protection against failures, is characterized by noisy work. Models are not equipped with numerous modes and automatic control. The service life declared by the manufacturers is 7 years. Among the equipment, a large percentage of defects. But do not be biased towards all budget products. Popular brands are popular brands: LG, Ballu, Samsung, Haier.
The division into classes is rather arbitrary, manufacturers of elite climate technology offer mid-range models in their product lines. It should be responsible not only to choose the air conditioner, but also to the place of purchase. Equipment is purchased in specialized stores. The equipment passport indicates the data for obtaining warranty service.
The optimal version of the air conditioner combines the best performance: inverter compressor, cooling and heating modes, automation, low noise, multi-stage air purification. Such models can be found in the elite and middle class. If you want to save, budget-class equipment is suitable. Models of LG and Ballu brands have established themselves as reliable household split-systems. The duration and performance of an air conditioning device depends on the quality of installation. Installation is entrusted to professionals.
Equally important is the maintenance of the air conditioner: timely cleaning and replacement of the filters of the indoor unit. The outer part needs seasonal preparation: inspection, removal of leaves, fluff, other garbage.
