The choice of air conditioning on the parameters and user reviews

Household air conditioners are becoming more and more densely incorporated into the life of a modern person, while the number of their producers is growing. As a result, the stores are overloaded with hundreds of models, different in quality, type, power, design and functionality. Every year, climate devices are equipped with new and new options, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for customers to choose air conditioning. To choose the right air conditioning system and after not regret buying, it is enough to take into account several factors.

Briefly about the forms and types

Overview of types of air conditioners for an apartment or office - a voluminous topic, where the technical features and differences.In order to find a good system, it is enough to decide on one of the types suitable for air conditioning of an apartment, home or office.

Mobile devices

it single block room units with an evaporator and a condenser in a single case, through which air is blown by a conventional fan, and then discharged to the street with a corrugated hose with a diameter of 10 cm. Install monoblocks on the floor, they are all equipped with wheels for easy transportation.

Condensate that accumulates on the evaporator enters a special compartment. When a lot of liquid is collected, the device turns off and the condensate is poured manually. This should be done about once every three hours. There are modifications where the condensate is blown out into the street by an air stream - this is one of the factors of convenience that you should pay attention to.. As the owners of similar air conditioners write in reviews, manual removal of water is tedious.

Mobile air conditioners are used for air cooling. The heating function is implemented only in relatively new models in the form of a heater, but it cannot be called very effective in comparison with compressor-type devices.

The merits of the aggregates are obvious.

1. Mobility - air conditioning is easy to move or transport. This is a good choice for a rented apartment or a room where it is not possible to mount the device against a wall.
2. Easy installation, there is no need to call installers: just remove and fix the hose, put and connect the device to the network.
3. Outlet corrugated pipe can be installed in the vent.

Cons in these models are also present.

1. Monoblock dimensional, they need a place, and it is not suitable for a very small room or office.
2. Such household air conditioners too noisyFor example, in an office near the workplace, this can be a nuisance; they are generally not suitable for use in a bedroom or a nursery.
3. Air masses are removed from the room and are replaced by the arrival of warm air from the street, which reduces efficiency. In general, free-standing models are always characterized by low energy efficiency.
4. When outputting flutes to the street, it is necessary to fix the hose in a part of the window opening, which will require some alterations or a complete replacement of the glass unit.

Window blocks

Air conditioners with installation in a part of the window opening are very similar in design to detached monoblocks, but here condensate is drained outside the room. Mount window models in the window opening, vent or part of the wall (through). You can install the air conditioner in a room where there is no possibility to fix the split system to the wall.

Advantages:

• Mobility - window air conditioner can be transported to the country or to another apartment;
• simple installation, while creating the necessary conditions;
• they are easy to install, remove or rearrange, but unlike floor ones, window do not occupy space on the floor.

Minuses:

• Installation is not always easy, for example, if the window frames are of an inappropriate shape, or the device must be installed in the wall;
• high noise at work (about 40 dB), as in the floor monoblock;
• block part of the incoming light;
• the need to dismantle at low temperatures in winter.

Split systems

Split systems are best to choose for an apartment or a private house, which is confirmed by countless reviews from users. Heat exchangers are divided into two modules, one located inside the room, the second, where the compressor is installed - from the street.Among the various modifications of split systems, you can choose a very quiet model for a bedroom or nursery.

Advantages:

• low noise level allows to install the device in any room, regardless of its purpose;
• high level of energy efficiency;
• attractive appearance, air conditioning is needed for comfort, but many think about aesthetics;
• small size indoor air conditioner module.

Minuses:

• stationary and complex installation, installation will require qualified specialists;
• the cost of split systems is higher than other types;
• The external module inevitably collects street garbage (branches, dust, leaves, poplar fluff) and needs cleaning every season, and maintenance on high floors is quite problematic.

Multisystems

Multisystems are the same split systems, but the number of internal modules is more than one. This is convenient when installing air conditioning equipment in several rooms at the same time: a single external module serves several internal ones. All units located in the premises operate autonomously with the exception of the general operating mode: heating, ventilation, dehumidification, cooling.

Advantages:

• multisystems will cost less than several split systems;
• all the benefits of split systems;
• comfortable for air conditioning of several offices, two-room apartment or private house;
• external unit can be mounted on the roof (in a private house), while it will be easy to serve every season.

Minuses:

• all internal models are dependent on the performance of one external;
• complex installation and installation of air vent;
• all cons of split systems.

Should I buy a system with an inverter motor

The principle of operation of most indoor air conditioners is as follows. The device operates at full power: cools / heats the air when the set temperature level is reached, the sensor turns off the device. Start-Stop Cycle continuous, as a result, the real temperature fluctuates around the set value.

The advantage of this principle is the initial savings, such models are cheaper. The disadvantages of such a system is much greater. High mechanical load on all mechanisms, in comparison with inverter air conditioners. As a result - wear occurs faster. Such models are able to work on heating, but their limiting subzero temperature is limited to -5 ° C, and this is the maximum. In addition, such models are more noisy.

Inverter versions are better, more modern and more expensive than others, and besides, they are free from serious disadvantages of the start-stop technology:

• inverter room models are much quieter;
• stable load does not require regular loads on the mechanism;
• permissible working temperature in winter time reaches -25 ° C;
• energy efficiency - periodic on / off require increased starting current;
• smaller amplitude of the actual temperature, relative to the set.

If you analyze both the first and second - for long-term use, it is more profitable to buy an inverter type air conditioner. For work or short use in connection with the move, you can also purchase a start-stop system.

How to determine optimal performance

A number of criteria “makes a choice for the user” are such moments as the area and features of the room, its purpose and frequency of use. Such nuances as design, functionality, dimensions are subjective and not always weighty factors.

Power consumption

First of all, air conditioners are chosen by room space, or rather, by parameters. Before buying, the user needs to know two parameters: area and volume of the roomwhere the climate system will be installed. Based on the results, we can conclude what characteristics the air conditioner should have.

1. How to calculate the area: length * width.
2. How to calculate the volume: length * width * height.

The square affects the power of the device. The standard calculation formula is simple: area / 10, therefore, for conditioning 45 squares per minute you need an air conditioner with a power of 4.5 kW. Naturally, small deviations of +/- 100 W will not matter much.

It is important to take into account the height of the ceiling; if it is more than 2.5 m, then another 10% is added to the indicator. Get 5 kW in the current line of models.

The calculations presented are equal for cooling. Heating rate equals 1 kW / 10m² per hour. All the above reference data are considered basic for an apartment in a residential building with a standard wall height of 2.5 m. Additional factors for heating include not only the height of the ceiling, but also the type of wall decoration, area and size of windows. For example, in a store where one wall is completely glass, the chosen model should be more powerful.

Incorrectly chosen weak devices will cool / heat the air volume longer, and if the kW indicator is too low, the air conditioner may not cope with its task at all. Too powerful indicator is unprofitable from a financial point of view. The above calculation significantly narrows the choice to specific characteristics, but even this is not all.

What does BTU mean

There is another key, but obscure parameter - BTU. This is a British unit of measure. thermal power. The value is indicated in the characteristics of the most frequently consumed power, which many are accustomed to focus on when buying any equipment. A little more math: 1 kW of power consumption = 3400 BTU.

The indicator is tied to the area of ​​the room, it plays a major role in selecting the air conditioner for cooling according to its characteristics. So, for an office or a room of 45 m², you need a device with an indicator of 18,000 BTU (5 kW of power consumption). The value is often the same for ceilings from 2.5 m to 3 m (with a small area of ​​the room), which is why it differs from the “power consumption - quadrature” calculation.

In colloquial terminology, the designations of room air conditioners have taken root in BTU: “five”, “seven”, “nine”, they mean 5, 7 and 9 BTU, respectively.

To get rid of the calculations, you can refer to finished power calculation table Btu.

All sorts of calculations may seem too congested, but they will help weed out inefficient devices or systems with redundant resources.

Other important indicators

Among the significant criteria worth noting noise level. When buying air conditioning, you need to choose the best. For complete understanding, you can bring some data.

1. 40-45 Dzb - the maximum rate for the room, but at such values ​​the operation of the air conditioner will not be comfortable.
2. 30 db and less is a good indicator for a home.
3. 19-20 dtsb - devices from the medium / high price category have this parameter; they are quiet air conditioners that can be installed even in the children's room.

Functionality Modern air conditioners are different.

1. Many room models work for cooling / heating / dehumidification / ventilation, there are also devices with built-in ionizers, which provides additional air purification.
2. Moving dampers more effectively distribute the air in the room.
3. Self-cleaning saves time.
4. Plasma filters well neutralize various smells, detain dust.
   
5. Timer - setting the air conditioner to work in a given time cycle.

Before you choose a conditioner for your home or office, be sure to familiarize yourself with its capabilities: many of them may not be in demand, but will increase the cost.

In working conditions, in order to save, a fairly simple model, but for a comfortable stay in the house it is acceptable to choose an air conditioner with rich functionality.

Trademark Reviews

Before you choose the air conditioner for an apartment or work, it is useful to get acquainted with the manufacturers. Oddly enough, each has its own characteristics. What brand to entrust the comfort of living is a difficult question, you can buy the most top model, but it will be quite expensive. Therefore, it makes sense to find out how they differ from one another, view video reviews and make the best choice.

1. Company Delonghi undeservedly deprived of attention, but produces good-quality systems. Many users note good quality and stable, reliable performance. Not all models differ in special functionality, but they also cost from the category of medium.
2. Eminent manufacturer Samsung well established itself only in the highest price category.The choice of a split-system of an average and inexpensive segment will not be the most successful: the models are not deprived of obvious savings on the quality of plastic, the internal mechanism. It is possible that there is a marriage, about which users who have purchased the air conditioner of this brand, do not hesitate to inform future buyers. The second reason for the doubtful quality is unstable production, unfortunately, well-known companies allow this to reduce the cost of products.
3. Reviews about of the company LG not unequivocal, but positive clearly prevail. Of the shortcomings of the owners say about the vibration, which indicates the average quality, although in general they work stably.
4. Products firms Gree famous for its excellent quality, air conditioners that were installed even a few years ago, operate without complaints.
5. This group of "good and reliable" users include products Toshiba and Midea, noting the optimal combination of price and quality.

Naturally, these are not all brands that offer consumers excellent climate equipment for home or work, at an affordable cost. Given a number of factors, the user will be able to choose the right air conditioner that fully meets their needs.