How to choose air conditioning for apartments and houses

When choosing an air conditioner, the main thing is to determine the volume of the room where it is planned to use this technique. But other parameters are important.

content

What to look for when buying
Types of air conditioners
Which air conditioner to choose
The main criteria for choosing the air conditioner
Additional features of the air conditioner
The cost of air conditioners
The best air conditioner manufacturers - which company to choose
Video on the choice of air conditioning for home and office

We recommend to get acquainted with rated best mobile air conditioners for home.

How to choose air conditioning for apartments and houses: what to look for

When choosing an air conditioner for an apartment, home or office, it is recommended to pay attention to the following parameters:

Type of air conditioner;
Power (including the air volume in the room that the device is able to condition);
Available modes of operation;
Noise level;
Energy consumption level;
Additional functionality (drainage, ventilation, etc.).

Equally important is the manufacturer of air conditioning.

Types of air conditioners

Structurally, according to the principle of operation and the method of installation, air conditioners are divided into the following types:

Windowed;
Outdoor;
Wall split systems;
Channel.

Window air conditioners

Window air conditioners - one of the most simple both in installation and in terms of functionality. As the name implies, they are mounted directly into the window opening. When turned on, they pump air from the street, while heating or cooling it.

The design of such air conditioners includes a single unit in which all functional elements are installed: a compressor, a refrigerator, etc.

Like most other air conditioners of medium or budget class (and window ones belong to it), they can work for cooling or heating the room, and the additional functionality is determined by the type of filter installed. These components can be coal with a high degree of purification, antibacterial with disinfecting effect, washed with reusable, etc.

Virtues

Easy to install. The installation can even be carried out independently with certain skills and compatible window frames;
Easy to operate. Service procedures, such as filter replacement or cleaning, can be performed independently;
Long operational period. With proper care, the window air conditioner is able to work for several decades;
Low price. Often much lower than other types of air conditioners;

disadvantages

High noise. Since the compressor is, in fact, in the indoor unit, its operation is very audible;
The impossibility or very high complexity of the organization of the discharge of moisture. Condensed water from the air conditioner drips directly from the outlet on its outer part. Because of this, organizing her lead can be very difficult.
Violation of the integrity of the window opening. Often the air conditioner is located in the frame loosely, without adhering to the walls. This leads to the fact that in the cold season the low temperature from the street penetrates the room;
Air conditioning occupies a useful area of the window opening. This leads to a decrease in the amount of light entering the room;

All this makes the window air conditioner a good option only for places with mild winters.

Floor air conditioners

Outdoor air conditioners are of two types - with and without air duct. Structurally, they are a mobile unit, in which, by analogy with a window, a compressor, a refrigerator, a filter and other functional units are built in.

The duct is a system of channels in the walls of the room. On them hot air is taken away from the conditioner and "is thrown out" on the street. This is the main drawback of such devices - the hot air removal system must be installed at the construction or finishing stage.

An alternative is to install the duct in the window opening. Then the system of tubes is not required.

Floor air conditioners without duct air conditioners, in fact, are not. These are rather humidifiers that additionally heat the room. Due to their actions, it may seem subjective that the room has become cooler, but objectively the temperature does not decrease. In addition, overmoistening of air can cause unpleasant sensations in people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular or respiratory system.

Some models of floor-mounted air conditioners without an air duct still cool the air, passing it through ice briquettes. But it also leads to increased humidity in the room.

Therefore, using floor air conditioners, it is better to choose a model with a duct.

Virtues

Mobility. They are placed only in the room that you want to cool;
Easy installation of the duct in the window opening (if the system of pipes in the room is not used);
Easy replacement. In the event of a breakdown, it is enough to purchase only a new mobile unit, while the air extraction system does not need repairs (except if it becomes clogged);
Lack of cold air flow reaching the upper area of the room. It protects against "blowing out" and the diseases caused by it. Air convection occurs naturally;

disadvantages

Low productivity. Cooling the air in the room takes some time;
The need to organize the duct - either in the form of a system of tubes, or in part of the window;
The need for manual removal of condensate. Periodically, the container with it needs to be cleaned - and the more often, the better, since bacteria can develop in a humid environment;
Large dimensions of the main unit. It is similar in size to a bedside table;
High noise. Similar to window air conditioners, the compressor, the loudest part of the device, is located in the indoor unit;
Pumping out part of the air from the room. Especially critical for rooms in which fresh air for one reason or another does not come;

Floor (mobile) air conditioners are only an alternative for full-fledged split-systems, but not fully-functional devices for cooling the room.

Wall split systems

A split system, as the name implies (split as translated from English - “separate”), consists of two blocks. The main unit of the air conditioner, in which the refrigerator is installed, is placed on the outer wall of the house. Additional, with a compressor, is located directly in the room and is designed to output cooled or heated air.

Split-system modules are connected by one or several tubes, through which hot air is drawn off or cold air is pumped.These channels are laid through the wall, as a result of which the installation of an air conditioner becomes quite a difficult task, and in some cases also requires permission from the management company (if the property rights to the facade of the house are decorated for it, for example).

Nevertheless, split-systems are the most productive and functional type of air conditioners. They not only quickly cool the room, but are also able to heat it. And in some models there are also modes for controlling humidity and air purity.

Virtues

Highest performance for quick control of indoor temperature;
The optimal price (models that are designed exclusively for cooling can cost on the order of several thousand rubles. At the same time, multi-functional devices are expensive);
Advanced functionality;
Minimum noise level;

disadvantages

Difficult, and in some cases problematic installation of an external unit;
The need for periodic qualified maintenance, including cleaning and repair of the cooling system.
Lack of mobility - the indoor unit cools or warms up only the room in which it is installed;
Increased power consumption;
The need for punching the wall for laying pipes and cables;

Despite the above drawbacks, wall split systems are the best solution for effective protection against high temperatures outside.

Duct air conditioners

Channel conditioners are functionally a kind of split systems. The key difference is that the duct system is connected to the indoor unit of such a device. It is through them that the cooled air is carried through the rooms — to several rooms, cabinets, etc.

Since ducted air conditioners imply the use of a duct system, their installation should be designed at the construction stage or overhaul a house or apartment. Tubes with exits can be placed in walls, under false ceilings or in special niches.

The main advantages of such an air conditioner are the absence of a noticeable indoor unit and the possibility of cooling (or heating) several rooms at once. And the disadvantage - the highest complexity of installation - requires a separate room to accommodate the functional elements and pave the air ducts.

Channel conditioners are usually designed for use in large buildings with high traffic - office centers, restaurants, hotels - therefore, in most cases they have high power.

Virtues

The possibility of cooling and fresh air in several rooms at once;
Low price when used in large office centers, houses, other large rooms with many rooms;
High performance;
Lack of internal blocks in the cooled rooms;

disadvantages

The impossibility or high complexity of microclimate regulation in certain rooms;
High power consumption;
The need for regular professional maintenance, including channel cleaning;
The high cost, making it impractical when used in apartments or private homes;
High complexity of installation, as a result of which placement of the duct air conditioner must be planned before repair;

All this makes channel conditioners a reasonable solution only for use in large buildings with a large number of rooms.

Which air conditioner to choose

When choosing an air conditioner, it is worth starting from the planned conditions of use and features of the building in which it will be installed.

If the main requirement for the air conditioner is ease of installation, then window models can be used or floor-standing with an air duct that throws hot air directly into the window.
If the house already has a duct system installed, a good solution would be a mobile floor air conditioner that connects to existing channels.
If the main requirement - performance and wide functionality - the perfect solution will be a complete split system. It is she who quickly cools or heats the air in the room. In addition, many models of modern split systems require minimal intervention in the wall structure.
If you plan to install a single air conditioner in a large private or apartment building, office space or a similar structure, a duct will be a good solution.

The main criteria for choosing the air conditioner

When choosing an air conditioner, consider the following parameters:

Performance (in terms of power or volume, which is designed for air conditioning);
Energy consumption level;
Noise level;
Modes of operation;
Extra options.

A / C performance

The performance of the air conditioner is a parameter that determines how fast or efficient the device can cool or heat the air in the room. It is influenced by two characteristics - the power of the device itself and the volume of air it is designed for.

Air conditioner power is measured in watts. The higher it is - the faster the device cools (or heats) the air in the room. But at the same time, energy consumption and the noise level of the air conditioner also increase, which is especially critical for window or floor models.

Technically, the power of an air conditioner is a rather vague concept, since manufacturers often indicate not the direct power of the compressor, but the power of the cooling system. It is much higher consumed. Thus, in an air conditioner with a cooling system with a power of 4 kW, a 1.3-kilowatt compressor is most likely installed and the actual consumption is also 1.3 kW (or slightly more for the remaining functional elements).

For home use, you should choose air conditioners with cooling system power up to and including 4 kW (up to 1.3 kW of compressor consumption, respectively). Such devices can be plugged into a household network without changing it or withdrawing an additional load channel. More powerful air conditioners are desirable to include in a separate line to protect the power supply of the rest of the house.

Nominal air volume

Nominal air volume is a more practical parameter for estimating the power of an air conditioner. It shows how much (in cubic meters) of air the device can cool or heat at optimum load. It is calculated as follows - it is necessary to take the area of the room or adjacent rooms where it is planned to install air conditioning, and multiply by the height of the ceilings.

When using the air conditioner in rooms whose volume is larger than the nominal one for which the device is designed, it will work with an increased load, which can lead in the best case to inefficient cooling (heating), and at worst - to a compressor or refrigerator breakdown.

Therefore, choose the air conditioner is primarily based on the volume of the room.

Air conditioner power consumption

Energy consumption of the air conditioner directly depends on the actual capacity of its compressor and usually amounts to about 110-120% of its value. In models with a heat pump, this value may be even higher.

To reduce energy consumption, it is recommended to purchase inverter air conditioners. These are devices with automatic adjustment of the intensity of the compressor.Inverter air conditioners consume most of the electricity at the start (immediately after switching on or changing the set temperature), and then become very economical, since they do not require constant operation of the compressor to maintain the selected microclimatic conditions.

Indicators of energy efficiency of air conditioners are the parameters of EER and COP. The first shows the ratio of the power of the cooling system to the actual power consumption; the second is the ratio of the power of the heating system to the actual power consumption. Both of these parameters have an alphabetic notation scale in which the letter A shows the highest energy efficiency, and the letter G shows the lowest. It is self-evident that it is worth buying air conditioners, whose EER and COP parameters lie in the A-C range.

Noise level

The noise level depends on two parameters - the power of the air conditioner (the higher it is, the louder the equipment works) and the location of its “outdoor unit” with the compressor. So, in the window and floor devices, the compressor is located in the indoor unit, and therefore during operation they make quite loud sounds. Split systems and ducted air conditioners are equipped with a full-fledged external unit and therefore have a low or even zero noise level.

The vast majority of domestic air conditioners, cooling system performance up to 3 kW have an external unit noise level up to 55 dB - this corresponds to the volume of ordinary human speech. In addition, this volume is allowed sanitary standards, including European and Russian for the dark time of day.

The lower the noise level, the better. Especially for the internal unit of the split system. Its noise level for comfortable use should not exceed 20-30 dB, otherwise physical problems may occur (up to the appearance of headaches).

It is clear that table and window air conditioners have a higher noise level - up to 40-50 dB. Therefore, "loud" devices should be used periodically, just cooling the room, and off for the night.

Modes of operation

The modes of operation in general approximation are of two types - cooling and heating of the air. And if the air conditioner of all models can lower the air temperature in the room, then only a few can raise it. This is due to structural differences.

If in refrigeration air conditioners, only a refrigerator is used to create a microclimate, in heating air heaters (a heating tube) and a heat pump are also used. All of them are designed to increase the air temperature and, depending on the design, can be located both in the external and in the indoor unit.

Air heating mode is an optional feature for air conditioners or split systems. Therefore, if such a device requires only cooling, then you can get by with models that are not equipped with heating elements.

Additional features of the air conditioner

In addition to cooling and heating the air, some models of air conditioners are equipped with additional functionality. Among such opportunities may be:

Dehumidification;
Ventilation mode;
Air cleaning;
Air ionization;
Adjustment of the direction of an air stream;
Work timer;
Remote control from a smartphone and smart features.

Air drying mode

Dehumidifying the air in the room allows you to make the microclimate more comfortable and environmentally friendly - in an environment of low humidity, pathogenic bacteria develop more slowly. Virtually all air conditioners and split systems during normal operation (cooling mode) also reduce air humidity. However, some models are equipped with a dry function without cooling, which can be used in the fall and winter.

Drainage mode - a function quite useful, but only if it is really needed.That is regularly required to reduce the level of humidity - for example, in the bedroom, especially if it is in contact with the bathroom or bathroom.

Ventilation mode

Ventilation mode is designed to create fresh air from the street without cooling or heating it. If the air conditioner is planned to be installed in a room without opening windows, it is highly recommended that it be equipped with this function. In addition, it will be useful in the cold season, when natural ventilation can cause discomfort.

Air cleaning mode

The air purification mode is similar to the ventilation mode, but in this case the air conditioner drives through the system of built-in filters the air that is present in the room. This reduces the level of dust and other contaminants.

The usefulness of the air purification mode is directly affected by the filters installed in the air conditioner and their “freshness”. So, with the factory filtering system, only mechanical impurities such as dust are removed from the atmosphere. The carbon filter also cleans at the chemical level, and antibacterial - disinfects.

In very rare models of air conditioners, air is cleaned by processing it with ultraviolet radiation. It does not remove mechanical suspensions, but it effectively disinfects the atmosphere.

If the air conditioner is equipped with a cleaning mode, it is very important to regularly change the filters and wash the tank for storing condensed moisture.

Air ionization mode

The air ionization mode is similar to the cleaning mode, but in this case it is enriched with ions, by passing through a carbon filter or a special ionizer. Due to this, the air becomes noticeably fresher (up to the feeling of "mountain"), as well as purified from pathogens.

Air conditioners with air ionization mode should be used in homes where there are elderly, children and people with reduced immunity. In addition, they can be used simply to improve the microclimate. This is especially important in urban environments where ventilation through windows can only degrade the organoleptic qualities of the air.

Airflow direction adjustment

The adjustment of the air flow direction is carried out through a movable divider, which is located in the outlet of the air conditioner. Practically all modern split-systems are equipped with this function. The direction adjustment mode allows you to either quickly cool the air in the room due to artificial convection, or to get rid of drafts and the risk of "blowing", which is especially important if the air conditioner is located in close proximity to the workplace or bed.

Work timer

The timer works to automate the shutdown of the air conditioner. It can be implemented in two ways. The first and most popular is the automated shutdown of the air conditioner after a certain time set by the user. The second option is to stop cooling or heating when the set temperature is reached.

Both of these options have both advantages and disadvantages.

Air conditioners with the ability to set a timer

Virtues

There is no risk of forgetting the air conditioner turned on and thus overcooling or overheating the room;
The risk of compressor wear and refrigerant leakage is reduced;
You can set the air conditioner on a timer and go to bed - after a while it will turn off and stop cooling the room;
You can significantly reduce energy consumption;

disadvantages

The air conditioner can turn off before a comfortable microclimate is installed in the room;
It is required to constantly reconfigure the timer, setting the time or temperature of work.

Thus, the timer is a useful function, but only if the shortcomings are not critical.

Remote control from a smartphone

Remote control from a smartphone and other "smart" functions are found mainly in the most modern models of air conditioners. This is actually not so convenient, since in most cases both devices need to be on the same wireless network. Therefore, the air conditioner can only be set up in the house - and the smartphone in this case acts as a replacement for the remote.

Nevertheless, various "smart" functions allow you to set the temperature and mode of operation in detail, as well as the on timer - so that the air conditioner refreshes the indoor air when the owner arrives.

"Smart" functions make using the air conditioner just more convenient and do not determine its capabilities, so it is worthwhile to acquire climatic devices with a similar control mode at will.

The cost of air conditioners

air conditioning prices

The cost of air conditioners is determined not only by their type, but also by functionality, as well as power and other operational parameters. Also, offline retailers can increase the price of the device by adding installation or maintenance services.

The price of window air conditioners starts from 8-10 thousand rubles. However, the vast majority of models are in the price range of 20-30 thousand rubles.
The price of floor air conditioners with air duct starts from 10-12 thousand rubles. Similarly windowed, the vast majority of models are in the price range of 20-30 thousand rubles.
The price of a split system starts from a few thousand rubles. The vast majority of models are in the price range of 15-35 thousand rubles, the cost directly depends on the power, performance and other technical characteristics.
The price of ducted air conditioners without installing the duct system starts from 30-40 thousand rubles, but the vast majority of models are in the price range of 100-150 thousand rubles. The cost depends on the power of the device.

The best air conditioner manufacturers - which company to choose

Among the manufacturers of air conditioners can distinguish companies whose products are of maximum reliability:

Daikin, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Fujitsu - already proven Japanese companies, manufacturers of climate technology. Air conditioners from these brands differ in a rather average price, but it is fully justified by the quality and performance of devices;
Haier, Ballu - Chinese air conditioner manufacturers. Their climatic equipment is characterized by relatively low price and at the same time very high practicality, as well as durability;
LG, Samsung - Korean manufacturers. Their equipment is most often equipped with the most modern technological solutions, but it refers to the average or top-end price range.
In addition, it is necessary to allocate the company Hitachi. Her equipment is usually expensive, but at the same time very high quality.

In the following articles we tell how to choose a home air humidifier and secrets ionizer selection for a healthy climate in your apartment.