Among all types of air conditioning systems, channel air conditioning is of particular interest, providing treated air through a duct network in several neighboring rooms without cluttering the interior with unnecessary equipment modules.
The device and principle of operation of the channel system
Like any split-system, the channel consists of two modules: compressor-condenser (external) and evaporative (internal), which are interconnected by a copper pipe with freon and electric wires. The external module is installed outside the building, and the installation of the indoor one involves several placement options:
- in a false ceiling;
- in false wall;
- in the pantry, in the attic, in the back room.
Flush mounting of the evaporator block makes the use of this type of air conditioner a very practical solution for original design projects.
There are certain features in how the channel air conditioner is arranged and works. Such devices are supplied without a ready-made air distribution system. It is provided for when creating a project.
Design work and the subsequent installation of a duct air conditioner in an apartment or semi-industrial premises are carried out at the construction or major repairs of this facility.
Iron or flexible ducts are connected to the adapters (special holes) of the indoor module, which lead to adapters with grilles facing the surface of the ceiling or wall. Through them, air circulation occurs. The ducts themselves are sound and heat insulated to eliminate excess noise and condensation on the structure.
The air intake goes through the exhaust adapter through the air ducts, enters the indoor unit. There it passes a strainer, the evaporator and the cooled one goes into the air ducts connected to the supply adapter.
One of the features of how ducted air conditioning works is the temperature of the air leaving the indoor unit. She's cold enough. To minimize the temperature difference between room and chilled air, it is necessary to choose the right intake grilles. The slotted ones will become the best option, since this particular type is capable of delivering cold streams with thin streams and mixing them with warm air in the room as quickly as possible.
Air handling unit and a mixture of fresh air
If there is a need for air flow from the street, then the channel air conditioning system has the ability to intake air from the outside. To organize such a process, an air supply unit will be needed, to which another air duct is connected and cut into the air supply adapter. In order for street air to enter several local points in the room, usually the ventilation pipe (duct) coming from the supply unit is divided through the distributing tee into the required number of branches.
The supply unit is a standard module with openings on the sides. It consists of:
- a fan;
- TENA;
- electronics unit;
- pocket filter;
- flaps.
In the summer, the heater does not work, and in the autumn and winter it heats the incoming air to the required temperature. The dampers are needed to block the outlet of the installation, through which in standby mode cold flows can enter the air ducts, and then into the room. The pocket (bag) filter is a one-stage filtration system used in systems of forced ventilation.It is not subject to regeneration, so most often it is replaced with a new one.
The air handling unit and duct air conditioner with a mixture of fresh air have two different remote controls. The operation of the supply module is regulated separately.
But it should be borne in mind that for channel air conditioners, the influx of fresh air is only 30% of the total air flows circulating through the system. Not a single channel air conditioner can mix street air in 100% volume.
Winter work
The channel air conditioner has the possibility of year-round operation. In this case, the outdoor module is mounted in a room where the minimum temperature values are -3-5 ° C, and there is a space for the output of warm air. If there is no possibility of installing an external unit in the room, then it is simply equipped with the Winter Start device, which consists of three separate devices: heating compressor oil, a fan speed regulator and heating the drainage. But the cost of electricity will increase significantly.
With the correct selection of the air conditioner's power and the correct installation of the ventilation pipe network, the periods of trouble-free operation reach 10-15 years.
Types of ducted air conditioners
All manufacturers produce models that operate either only for cold, or for cold / heat. Ducted air conditioners mixed with fresh air can be with inverter or non-inverter type of compressor control. These split systems differ not only in cooling capacity, but also in blowing power, that is, the pressure of the outgoing stream. There are low-pressure, medium-pressure and high-pressure channel air conditioners. From the pressure head (static pressure), which creates a fan, the selection of the length and configuration of the ducts depends.
Low pressure air conditioners
This air conditioner has a maximum static pressure of 45 Pa. It can handle air in one room, and the length of the ventilation pipe is not more than a meter. Install low-pressure models in hotel rooms, small offices and apartments.
Medium pressure air conditioners
In medium-pressure systems, the pressure force can reach up to 100 Pa, and the total length of the ducts is measured in tens of meters. They are considered the most popular, as they satisfy the needs of apartments with several rooms, small cottages, cafes, medium offices and shops.
High pressure air conditioners
The pressure force of such models is up to 250 Pa. The length of the ducts can exceed a hundred meters, and their configuration can be complex and maximally branched. They install high-pressure channel air conditioners in large offices, conference rooms, large restaurants and apartment buildings with many rooms.
In order to remove condensate accumulated during the operation of the device, a duct air conditioner with a high pressure head is usually equipped with an additional discharge pump. These devices have the highest performance compared to low and medium pressure. All these characteristics help to distribute air even to remote rooms without any loss and in full.
Ducted air conditioners with a mixture of fresh air - these are devices with high pressure.
What you need to know when buying
There are practically no drawbacks in the functioning of this climatic equipment, with the exception of the following nuances.
The ceiling height in the room should be at least 3 meters, otherwise strong air currents coming out of the adapter with a grill will not have time to be distributed in space, which will cause colds.
A ducted air conditioner with all additional structures is mounted in the space between the ceiling and the false mezzanine. Its height should be at least 25 cm.
In different rooms only the same parameters can be supported. This is not entirely convenient if one of the zones is on the sunny side, where a lower temperature is required, and the other is on the north, where averaged indicators are enough.
Installation of duct air conditioner
If you do not want to spoil the facade of the building with many external units, and clutter up the rooms with internal modules, the installation of a channel air conditioner will be the right decision, both in an apartment and in a private house.
In theory, everything is simple - compliance with the phasing of the work should ensure the normal functioning of the device in the future. But there are some difficulties in which installing a ducted air conditioner with your own hands becomes simply impossible, namely:
- laying a network of ducts with a calculation of their cross section and high-quality sound and heat insulation;
- calculation of power, static pressure, air performance;
- providing access to the indoor unit for subsequent preventive maintenance;
- cutting off some rooms (toilet, kitchen) from the air intake system;
- installation of the supply unit, if a high-pressure ducted air conditioner with an influx of fresh air is required.
It’s useless for an ordinary person to try to understand all the features of installing a channel air conditioner, so even with a very strong desire to do it yourself, it is better to entrust this process to professionals. They will accurately calculate everything, in a short time they will make a project and help you choose the right unit.
In the skilled hands of the master, the process will take no more than a week, and the risk of spoiling expensive equipment and installation materials when installing a duct air conditioner with your own hands is very high.
In fact, such an installation is a miniature centralized air conditioning system with a simplified control scheme and the placement of all elements. It helps to do without unnecessary appliances in several rooms at the same time and qualitatively updates stagnant air to fresh.
