Choosing a split system is only half the battle, but finding the perfect place to install an air conditioner in an apartment so that it does not bother anyone at the same time and copes well with its functions is already a more difficult task. Depending on the purpose and configuration of the room, which requires air conditioning, as well as the number of people who are constantly there, determine the location of the equipment.
For many, it is important to know whether you can install the air conditioner yourself and how to do it. If simple installation without any features is assumed (an elongated track, the presence of a ventilated facade, the complex composition of the wall being drilled), then it is real to cope on your own.
Installation of air conditioning in the living room, bedroom and kitchen
Usually split systems are bought to cool bedrooms, living rooms and kitchen areas.
For the hall, the main requirement during installation will be the placement of the indoor unit in the place where the concentration of cold air supplied does not affect the main places of stay of residents. As a rule, the main risk zone is a point 1.5–2 meters from the device itself.
This area should not have sofas, armchairs, desks. It is advisable to mount the unit so that the cold goes to an empty area, for example, to a wall, window or in the center of the room.
It is worth considering that the functionality of the split system is ideal when the blocks are not more than 5-7 meters apart from each other. It also allows not to ditch walls along the entire room and not to use plastic decorative boxes for communications.
If you need cold in the area for a night's rest, then the main thing here is not to direct the main air flow to the bed.
Where can I install air conditioning in the bedroom, while observing the conditions for placing the blocks relative to each other? The indoor unit cannot be placed in front of the bed, as it will be at the most dangerous point. It is allowed to hang over the bed, that is, at the head of the bed. In this case, the chilled stream will go as if above it, without hitting the vacationers.
You can also hang the air conditioner on the side of the bed if it is sufficiently far from it or is under it when the bed is on the opposite side of the split system or adjoins the wall with a block. In this embodiment, the concentration of cold will not reach the sleeping, they will reach only the distributed coolness.
And if the room is small, where to install air conditioning in the bedroom in this case? Regardless of the shape of the room (square or rectangular), it is hung on the opposite or adjacent wall from the bed, but pushed to the right or left (taking into account the location of the window behind which the external module is located) so that the air passes to the side of the sleeping area.
In particularly difficult cases, preference should be given to floor-ceiling split systems that are mounted on the ceiling and distribute the cold along it, and already scattered air goes down. As an option, buy an air conditioner with a vertical indoor unit that distributes flows along the walls.
Of course, it is better to consult with specialists when deciding where to install the air conditioner in the sleeping area, because there are non-standard room configurations: with bay windows, niches, semicircular and so on.
The kitchen often also requires the installation of an air conditioner, can this be done as correctly as possible, given the fact that most of the population is still the happy owners of small rooms, where cooking and reception take place on 5-7 m²?
- When it is assumed that the indoor unit should be placed in such a “flawed” kitchen, the main thing is to exclude cold air from entering the dining table;
- It is also important to take into account that with a direct direction of flow to a gas stove, the burners often blow out or the flame and the speed of cooking are weakened;
- Of course, you can’t mount the unit above the refrigerator or stove, since placement near heat-generating devices leads to breakdown of the climate technology.
The ideal place in this case is above the table, closer to the window. The cold stream will go to the refrigerator or drawers from the kitchen, without affecting those sitting at the table. At the same time, the rule of installing the blocks relative to each other will be observed, and heat influx from the window will be immediately cut off.
Is it possible to install air conditioning in the kitchen somewhere else? Yes, the internal module is sometimes broadcast on the opposite wall from the window if the table does not stand next to it. Air will go towards double-glazed windows, without affecting diners.
When the room is spacious, there are more options for installing an air conditioner in the kitchen. It is mounted in the center of the opposite wall from the kitchen, since the stove can be shifted to the side, and even in the opening between the window and the wall.
Installation of the air conditioning indoor unit on the loggia
Speaking about installing the internal module, one should not forget that for some the most appropriate solution would be to place it on a glazed loggia. In this case, it should be a continuation of a room or kitchen, that is, combined with the main room. It will be quite enough to just take out a separating double-glazed window.
How can I install air conditioning on the loggia? Ideally, the flow of cold air should be directed to the room, since when it is distributed mainly on the loggia, the room can be cooled slightly. The temperature difference will be felt very strongly: only an insignificant amount of coolness will enter the room, while on the loggia you will get the “north pole”. In reality, it will not work to hang the block in front of the room, since it is impossible to fix it on the glass or at the bottom.
It follows that it is possible to install air conditioning on the loggia, but only if there is minimal cooling demand in the room or in the kitchen. It is important at the same time to prevent direct sunlight from reaching the device itself, and even more so to its heat exchanger.
Installation of an outdoor air conditioning unit on a balcony or loggia
All previous rules relate to the question of where to install the indoor air conditioning unit in the apartment, but the optimal installation of the outdoor is no less important.
In most cases, it is placed on the wall of the house on the side or under the window, sometimes on the roof. It is fixed on special brackets (to the wall) or on the mounting frame (on the roof, ground, floor, in the basement or in the utility room).
The classic version with wall mounts is not always suitable. In panel houses, it can cause strong vibrations, and even shock-absorbing rubber gaskets do not always dampen these vibrations. Gradually, the fasteners weaken due to the destruction of the walls.
A fairly rational solution may be to install an air conditioner with your own hands on a balcony or loggia. There are two options here:
- the module is fixed on the facade of the balcony / loggia;
- the module is placed inside on the fasteners or mounting frame.
The first case is suitable for those who have a loggia or balcony, the second - who do not have double-glazed windows.When placed on the facade, they try to hide the block as much as possible from sunlight and ensure high-quality fastening with the help of large dowels and screws. On the upper floors, the block is placed on the roof of the balcony, but the allowable length of the route is taken into account.
Is it possible to install air conditioning on the balcony / loggia, if there is still glazing, but installation on the facade is prohibited. Yes, this is real, but it is important to ensure the following conditions:
- air must always be exchanged with the street - this is necessary so that the device does not overheat and does not create an "equator" on the balcony;
- one of the glasses should be directly opposite the module so that there is a direct exit of warm air to the street;
- You cannot install multiple outdoor modules inside a glazed room.
When the place where to install air conditioning in the apartment is selected, the question arises of how to do it yourself, and whether it is possible to carry out such work in general. Do-it-yourself wall-mounted split system is quite possible. Cassette, duct, floor-ceiling and other types of two-component climate systems are best left to the installer team.
Self-installation of split air conditioning system
So, how to install an air conditioner at home yourself? What is needed for this? What steps and rules should be followed?
Air conditioning installation tools and materials
To install the air conditioner in the apartment with your own hands, you must have all the tools listed in the table.
| Name of tools and materials | What is used for | Features |
| Drill with a drill | Wall drilling | Industrial or professional |
| Drill | Wall drilling | For the outdoor unit - 12 mm * 200 mm.
For the indoor unit - 6 * 60 mm. |
| Shtroborez + diamond disks | Laying power communications | You can cut a stroba under the track |
| Building level | Marking the position of the blocks, bracket | |
| A vacuum cleaner | Dust collection during drilling | |
| Dowels or anchor bolts | Block fixing | The size is selected taking into account the weight of the module |
| Brackets or mounting frame | Securing the outdoor unit | For installation on a roof, ground or floor, use a frame |
| Vacuum pump | Vacuum refrigeration circuit | |
| Pressure gauge | Pressure measurement, air evacuation from the system | |
| Leak detector | Checking the system for leaks | |
| Copper tubes | Connection of blocks among themselves | Select the diameter relative to the model and manufacturer's instructions |
| Pipe cutters | Pipe cutting without chip formation | Roller type |
| Rolling | Pipe edge extension | |
| Rimmer | Deburring pipe edges | |
| Pipe bender | Quality pipe bending | There can be spring, expansion, lever |
| Propane Oxygen Burner | Pipe soldering | Need for soldering an extended track |
| Copper Phosphor Solder | Pipe soldering | 5% silver minimum |
| Hammer, screwdrivers, hexagons, wrenches | Fixing work |
For other types of split systems, you need a different set of tools and materials.
Rules for installing air conditioners
When installing an air conditioner at home, the following rules must be observed:
- take into account the strength of the walls and the permissible noise at night (up to 32 dB) when fixing the outdoor module;
- provide maximum protection of the external unit from direct sunlight;
- remember that from the wall to the block should be at least 10 cm - this is necessary for air exchange between the heat exchanger and the environment;
- service valves should be freely available;
- allow the allowed length of the freon line between the two blocks;
- do not allow multiple bends of the copper pipe in order to avoid losses of freon;
- Remember the correct placement of the indoor module in a particular room;
- it is advisable to carry out all work on installing the air conditioner during the repair;
- communications are hidden in a shtroba or a plastic box;
- necessarily insulate copper tubes with freon.
Before installation, you should read the instructions that come with the specific model of the split system.
Air conditioning installation steps
What steps are followed when installing an air conditioner in an apartment with your own hands?
If the work is carried out during the repair, then the tubes are laid first, and their ends are reliably sealed against debris and dust. Blocks can be thrown and connected after repair.
The process when installing the air conditioner in the apartment after the finishing work is completed looks a little different:
- In the place selected for installation, using a punch with a drill, make a hole for communication between the blocks (route, interconnect cable) and a drainage hose;
- Mount the brackets for the outdoor unit, having previously made the marking with a building level. Be sure to take into account the length of the route, as well as the location of the windowsill and openings for communication. Fix the structure with large dowels or anchor bolts;
- Next, install the internal module, pre-fixing on the wall the mounting plate that comes with the split system. For accuracy, you can use the water level;
- Now they make strobes for communication, using a diamond cutter. You can not spoil the walls, but put the electric wires and copper pipe in a plastic box;
- Carefully cut the desired length of the copper pipe. Before you connect the blocks with it, you need to trim it, chamfer and expand. Now, with the help of connecting fittings, two copper pipes are connected and led out into the hole in the wall to the outside of the street block. They are necessarily insulated along the entire length by wrapping the joints with hydroscopic tape;
- Lay electric wires by measuring the desired length, stripping and connecting to the terminal block. A drain hose is held in the same hole;
- Next, vacuum the system using a manometric station or a vacuum pump, and then check the tightness of the circuit with a leak detector;
- Open the taps on the outdoor unit and let freon into the circuit by closing the protective covers. Do not forget about the casing;
- They check the performance of the split system by setting up a testing program.
Can I install the air conditioner myself? Apparently, yes, it is possible, but there are difficulties with the acquisition of all the necessary tools and materials. This will cost much more than branded installation.
Exit - some companies rent tools. Materials are not so expensive and are sold in many hardware stores.
Installation of air conditioners in winter
The question of how to install the air conditioner yourself is resolved. But in most cases, there are no problems when carrying out work in the warm season. If it is necessary to mount the split system in the cold season, do you need to observe any safety measures? Is it possible to install air conditioning in winter?
During winter installation, there is a risk of condensation in the pipeline, and at freezing temperatures it freezes.
There are also difficulties with the normal vacuuming of the refrigeration circuit. In the best case, it takes twice as much time.
If the equipment is equipped with a modern system of sensors for monitoring and self-diagnosis, it will be impossible to start the air conditioner to view the results. Protection will work and the compressor will not turn on at all. A split system can start easier, but it is fraught with consequences. Usually professional installers take a receipt from the customer that he has no complaints in the event of a breakdown.
This is not related to the technical side, but it is very unpleasant to mount a split system in cold weather, and not everyone is able to withstand the cold for a long time. Gloves do not always save, and working in them is not entirely convenient.
For these reasons, installing an air conditioner in winter becomes problematic, although it is quite possible from the point of view of technical performance.
For a more comprehensive idea of how to install the air conditioner yourself, it is suggested to watch the video below.
