Arriving at the HVAC store, the buyer, before making a purchase, often wonders how the split system differs from the air conditioner, and what better copes with its tasks. To understand, it is worth sorting out the features of both of them.
What is air conditioning and split system
Generally speaking, the word conditioner is a generalized concept that is applicable to any cooling / heating equipment that operates on a special substance - refrigerant (freon), and that has basic operating units, such as a compressor, heat exchanger and fan.
A split system is a type of air conditioner. Such a device has two units: external or external and internal or indoor. In the first, condensation of freon occurs, and in the second - its evaporation. The modules are interconnected by electric wires and a copper pipe - a freon line through which the working gas circulates.
In another way, the external module is called the condensing unit, or KKB for short, since it contains the main element of the external device - the compressor, which is responsible for pumping the necessary pressure to effect the phase transition of the refrigerant. It also includes a condenser heat exchanger. This unit removes heat or cold from the system.
The indoor unit is also called the evaporative block, since there is an evaporative heat exchanger in which freon enters the liquid phase.
People are accustomed to the fact that air conditioners are more often called monoblock devices: mobile and window devices, which contain all the working elements in one housing. Heat from mobile units is removed by a special corrugated hose (sleeve), which cuts into a window or ventilation system. At windows, it goes outside due to the fact that the condenser heat exchanger is located on the street.
Differences
So, we can conclude that there are still differences between the split system and the air conditioner. And which ones specifically?
It’s easy to guess that the main difference is the design. The split system is divided into two blocks, and the air conditioner consists of one housing.
From the first paragraph follows the second difference - the different internal structure of the air conditioner and split system. In monoblock devices, the compressor, fan, heat exchangers and other additional elements are assembled in one unit.
Split system air conditioner has a different device. Noisy parts are taken out to the outdoor unit, namely, a compressor, a fan, a condenser heat exchanger (it, however, does not make sounds). In the room module, there is an evaporator and a tangential fan that takes air from the room, as well as an electronic control board, a filtration system, and other functional elements.
If you start from split-unit air conditioners and monoblock units, you can find other differences, for example, noise level. Two-component units are quieter as the compressor and fan are moved outside the premises.
Split systems also have more opportunities in the area of distribution of treated air. Blinds can be directed horizontally, vertically and left / right, while many devices are equipped with automatic adjustment of the shutters with the ability to select the desired angle. Monoblock type air conditioners have limitations in this.
Another important difference of the split system from the air conditioner is the complete set of additional functions and options.Various automatic modes, protective algorithms, a multi-stage filtering system are the advantages of two-component devices.
Installation is also carried out in completely different ways. The window unit is embedded in a double-glazed window, the mobile is installed on the floor and the air duct is led out the window or door. This can be done by the owner himself. Two-unit system is mounted by professional teams, since here it will be necessary to connect the blocks between themselves by a route and wires.
If you ask yourself what is better than a split system or air conditioning, then, undoubtedly, the first option will be a more profitable and convenient acquisition. Quiet operation, convenient additional functions, space saving during placement, long service life - all this will provide a modern two-component system.
There is only one advantage towards monoblock type air conditioners - they are better suited for heating a room than a split system, since for this they have a built-in heating element that works in all frosts. Splits have restrictions on use in the cold season. They can only be warmed at a temperature outside of -5 ° C due to the lack of independent heating elements.
Types of split air conditioning systems
Mobile
In the world of climate technology, there is another very interesting equipment for controlling the climate of a room - a mobile split system.
In fact, this is the same mobile air conditioner that you can move around the room behind you, but with an outdoor unit and more power - from 3 kW in the cold. True, only the compressor and fan are placed in the external module, and warm air is still removed by the air duct from the internal mobile unit. The route between the modules is flexible, and there is no drainage pipe for condensate drainage. It is assembled in a special tray, like conventional mobile air conditioners.
The noise problem is solved, but its values, which average 40-45 dB, still remain higher than that of full-fledged split systems.
Since this type of split systems is not very convenient in everyday life due to the listed features, their use is limited to installation in places of temporary stay: in rented apartments, in rented office premises, in summer cottages.
Classic
Classic split systems also come in several types, depending on the design of the indoor unit:
- wall mounted;
- floor-to-ceiling or universal;
- columned;
- cassette
- channel.
In everyday life, wall-mounted air conditioners are more often used, since they have less power, which is enough for cooling and heating a normal room, and a simpler installation. The indoor unit of such a system is hung on the wall at a distance of 15-20 cm from the ceiling so as to cut off the influx of sunlight from the window. There should not be any tall objects or any obstacles in front of him. It is desirable to direct air streams to an unused zone of the room. They usually come from distribution grids on the lower part of the housing of the indoor unit and concentrate as much as possible at a distance of 1.5-2 m.
The external performance of wall splits is very diverse - angular, vertical and standard rectangular models, made not only in white colors, but also in black, blue, red, silver and golden colors. As a rule, manufacturers determine their attention on the improvement of this particular type of two-unit units, since the maximum number of sales falls on their account.
Where you need to install more powerful systems, mount universal devices that allow you to direct the stream along the wall or ceiling. Such air conditioners-split systems in the ceiling version of the installation provide the most uniform distribution of air even in rooms with a complex configuration.
Another big plus of air conditioners of ceiling split systems is the ability to solve the problem of cooling in rooms with panoramic glazing, where it is quite difficult to find a place to install the unit.
The power of some models reaches 15-16 kW for heat / cold.
These devices are equipped mainly with inverter control systems, due to which high energy efficiency and low noise values are achieved. Ease of use, due to the double installation option (wall or ceiling), wide control capabilities and high-quality air purification in several stages complete the list of advantages of this type of climatic equipment.
If the split air conditioners ceiling systems are no different from the wall ones, the duct and cassette ones have many differences. First of all, it is a hidden installation together with all communications in the suspended ceiling.
The cassette indoor unit is placed in the standard ceiling panel of the false structure, only the distribution grid is visible from the outside. Ducted split systems can be cleaned both in suspended ceilings and in false walls. But even among semi-industrial equipment, such devices stand apart, since they are very powerful air conditioners with a flexible configuration, control and air supply not from the unit, but through the air ducts to the places where they are connected. Their power varies from 2.5 to 36 kW.
It is the channel system that has the ability to supply fresh air to the room in a 30-100% volume. Installation is complex and requires only a professional approach.
Column splits are characterized by high cooling capacity and automatic distribution of air flow, first into the ceiling space, and then throughout the room.
Multi split systems
A variety of combined installations are multi-split system air conditioners, in which 2 to 7 indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit. Installation of such equipment helps to solve the problem of clutter of the building’s facade and provides cooling / heating of several rooms at the same time. Multi-split air conditioners have more installation options due to the increased total length of the freon path and elevation differences between the blocks.
In modern models, the overall performance of all indoor modules can exceed the rated cold power of the outdoor unit by 20-30%.
The only condition for the use of such equipment is the inclusion at the same time in all rooms only for cooling or only for heating.
There are multi-split systems in which it is possible to install various types of air conditioners as an internal module: wall-mounted, universal, cassette, duct, column. Combine them depending on the characteristics of each cooled area.
The minimum number of indoor units in a multi-split air conditioner is two. As a rule, in this embodiment, the internal modules are selected of the same type, most often these are devices with wall placement, although installation of different types is also possible. They work simultaneously in only one mode, but otherwise there is no relationship between them, that is, you can set a different temperature or any other settings completely. Each module has a separate remote control.
Paying attention to the functionality of an air conditioner with two split systems and more, it is worth noting that there are no differences from a device with one internal module. It is equipped with:
- a variety of fine filters;
- intelligent automatic temperature control;
- on / off timer;
- air flow control;
- functions such as restart and anti-icing of the KKB heat exchanger;
- protective shutdown in case of malfunctions;
- tracking sensors.
If we consider air conditioners with two split systems, then it is worth noting that the differences between manufacturers are found only in the technical characteristics of the devices: power consumption, cold and heat output, dimensions, track length, elevation differences, energy efficiency.
In most cases, multi-split air conditioning is performed using inverter technology, as it provides more reliable compressor operation at a fairly intense load.
This equipment involves installation during repair, since the laid tracks are better laid in the strobes in the wall than masked in decorative boxes along the walls. This is especially true if the multi-split air conditioner includes cassette and channel units, which together with communications require installation in a false ceiling or walls.
The installation of such a device does not have fundamental differences from the installation of a two-component system: the outdoor module is mounted on the wall, roof of the building or on the balcony, and the indoor one is indoors. This is the same stationary climate equipment as a classic two-unit air conditioner.
There are inexpensive split-system air conditioners with a minimum set of additional functions and automation. Such companies are produced not only by little-known companies, but also by world-famous manufacturers. These include the following brand names:
- BALLU;
- DANTEX;
- GENERAL CLIMATE;
- GREE
- HAIER;
- Hyundai;
- LG
- MIDEA.
All these companies produce not too expensive split-system air conditioners, which you can either buy an outdoor unit + the required number of indoor units in a ready-made configuration, or select them individually, based on personal needs.
How to make the right choice
How to choose the right air conditioning split system? What should I focus on?
Having decided on the type of indoor unit, calculate the necessary cooling capacity of the device. On average, they take 1 kW per 10 m². If there is a lot of equipment in the room or sunlight enters in excess, another 10-30% is added to this value.
When selecting equipment with several blocks, pay attention to the total power of all blocks and the ability of the outdoor module to support it.
Many do not know that when choosing an air conditioner for a split system, you need to pay attention to the compressor, or rather, to the manufacturer. So-called “no name” models may be of poor quality. The compressor breaks, therefore, the outdoor module loses its ability to function, and this means the cessation of the entire system.
In the passport of climatic equipment, they look at the permissible length of the route and the possible height difference, as well as whether the KKB compressor can pump freon through it. This will be needed during installation.
It is worth familiarizing yourself with such technical characteristics as the minimum and maximum noise of both units, as well as the permissible temperature range in the street at which the equipment can function.
If you need an inexpensive air conditioning split system, then look at the availability of additional features. The fewer they are, the cheaper the equipment.
Be sure to consider when the air conditioner will be installed. If the repair is already completed, then the channel, cassette and multi-split systems cannot be installed.
These are the basic rules of how to choose split-system air conditioners for use in domestic or semi-industrial purposes.
Reviews
Every year, reviews about air conditioners split systems are gaining more and more positive ratings. Users note that this climate technology:
- no noise;
- qualitatively and evenly cools the air;
- perfectly warms the room in the off-season;
- gives good indicators on energy consumption;
- It serves for a long time and rarely breaks down;
- solves conditioning problems in rooms of various configurations and sizes;
- saves space in the installed area.
Air conditioners split systems of unknown brands that use cheap plastic and not very high-quality components in the manufacture of equipment receive negative reviews.
Poor installation can cause the air conditioner to work poorly even from a very famous and expensive brand, so there is no point in saving on installation.
