The best air conditioners for home and apartment according to customer reviews. Which air conditioner is best for an apartment: factors of choice All about air conditioners in an apartment

The best air conditioners for home and apartment according to customer reviews.  Which air conditioner is best for an apartment: factors of choice All about air conditioners in an apartment
The best air conditioners for home and apartment according to customer reviews. Which air conditioner is best for an apartment: factors of choice All about air conditioners in an apartment

Normal human desire - in winter you want more heat, in summer - coolness. Modern air conditioning systems successfully solve both problems. There remains only the problem of choice - the range of climate technology on the market is quite extensive. Let's consider the existing types of household coolers and advise how to choose a home air conditioner according to the main criteria: installation method, functionality, power, price.

Selection algorithm

The room air cooling/heating unit is best selected in this order:

  1. We determine one or more rooms where it is planned to reduce the temperature in the summer - a bedroom, a living room, a nursery.
  2. We find out the exact dimensions of the room and calculate the required cooling capacity of the unit. We finally decide where to install the unit.
  3. We go to the online store, study the equipment of our power segment, select the type of air conditioner that fits perfectly into the interior.
  4. We compare the functions of the model we like with our needs. For example, for a bedroom or a children's room, low-noise equipment is needed.
  5. We calculate the budget of the event according to the formula total cost = price of a household appliance + additional materials + installation. If the figure exceeds the planned costs, we shrink by functions, choose a different type of unit, or look for a cheaper option.

Note. Installation costs depend on the type of chiller. Example: to install and connect split system blocks, you will need copper pipes with insulation, an electrical cable, plus a master with a tool kit that will not work for free. The mobile unit can be started by yourself.

Let's move on to the calculation of the refrigeration / heating capacity of the air conditioner, then we will conduct an introductory review of the models, present a rating of manufacturers.

Accurate power calculation

To find out the required cooling capacity of the device, collect the initial data for calculations by answering the following questions:

  1. On which side of the building is the refrigerated room located - sunny, shaded?
  2. What is the area of ​​the room and the height of the ceilings?
  3. How many tenants are constantly in this room (more than 2 hours during the day)?
  4. The number of TVs, computers, the power consumption of the refrigerator, if it falls into the zone of operation of the air conditioner.
  5. The rate of air exchange of natural ventilation.

Explanation. These factors affect the degree of air heating. People and equipment emit excess heat, ventilation brings hot street streams.

They are used to cool the air and maintain the optimum temperature in various types of premises: apartments, houses, server rooms and industrial rooms.

When choosing designs, pay attention to the number of operating modes, functionality, and the level of sound insulation of devices. Be sure to check the contents of the product.

  • Pay attention to the type of floor air conditioner: with or without air duct. The former provide high-quality air filtration, but they are not as transportable as mobile products without an air duct.
  • Be sure to look at the power of the device. For cooling 10 sq. m. of the room will need 1 kW of power.
  • Take a look at the recommended working area. For use in an apartment or house, cooling of 25-30 sq. m. For industrial and server rooms, these figures should be much higher (45-60 sq. m).
  • The best devices are equipped with automatic mode change, timer, filtration system. Models operating in three to four modes are considered functional: ventilation, cooling, heating, dehumidification.

Look at the declared noise level, because floor-standing devices have low sound insulation. Noise up to 50 dB should not cause inconvenience and annoyance.

This indicator also depends on the dimensions of the device. Before buying, be sure to test the product for noise level.

  • Pay attention to air exchange indicators. The higher this characteristic, the faster the air will cool. The average figure is 300 m 3 per hour.
  • Buy products with a special tank for collecting condensate. Modern devices are often equipped with an automatic evaporation system.

  • Weight of portable devices - up to 30 kg. Such products are transportable, easily move around the room.
  • Be sure to pay attention to the technical reliability of the device. Among the protection functions are freon leakage control, filter status, automatic defrosting, protection against current and low temperatures. Devices must be stable and reliable.
  • Look at the complete set of goods, the presence of a warranty card, maintenance instructions. Be sure to check all parts, fasteners and accessories. Buy products from trusted manufacturers.

  • Pay attention to whether the device is in automatic mode. This allows you to maintain the set parameters of temperature and humidity in the room.
  • The device must be equipped with a temperature control function.
  • An important function is the fan speed control.
  • Pay attention to the direction of air flow, choose devices with the possibility of vertical and horizontal air direction.
  • See if the product is equipped with a timer. With this function, you can set the time for automatic turning on and off of the air conditioner.
  • Night mode operation allows you to set the minimum fan speed.
  • The restart function allows the device to turn on after a power failure.

  • Choose the color and shape of the air conditioner according to your own preferences. Most often, light devices are produced, they look more organic in design.
  • It is desirable that the design of the device matches the furniture ensemble of the room.

Inverter floor air conditioner

Mitsubishi Electric Inverter MFZ-KJ50VE2 Designed for rooms where wall-mounted appliances cannot be placed. The product is compact and lightweight, the visible depth of the block can be reduced by 145 mm. The model is equipped with a nanoplatinum filter and a bactericidal silver insert.

A product with a 24-hour timer, the ability to automatically change modes, control via the Internet, self-diagnosis. Convenient remote control, stylish design of the device.

Characteristics:

  • modes (cooling, heating);
  • power - 5-6 kW;
  • noise level - 27-44 dB;
  • dimensions - 840 by 330 by 880 mm;
  • working area - 50 m 2;
  • airflow - 646 cu. m/hour;
  • functions (automatic operation, timer, remote control).

Pros:

  • compactness, lightness;
  • stylish and elegant design;
  • functionality;
  • air supply in two directions;
  • automatic mode change;
  • convenient remote control.

Minuses:

  • cheap device.

Powerful floor air conditioner

Slogger SL-2000 effectively cools a room from 50 sq. m. The device moisturizes and ionizes the air, creates a favorable microclimate.

The model is economical and functional, the air conditioner is mobile, so it is easy to move it. It features a capacious water tank - 30 liters.

Characteristics:

  • air consumption - 2000 m 3 / hour;
  • weight - 15 kg;
  • serviced area - 65 sq. m;
  • number of speeds - 3;
  • water tank capacity - 30 liters;
  • mechanical control;
  • dimensions - 350x1150x420 mm;
  • functions (timer, aqua filter, ionizer).

Pros:

  • economy, high efficiency;
  • precise regulation;
  • equipment with an aqua filter;
  • compact size, light weight;
  • quality equipment;
  • large working area.

Minuses:

  • inferior to other devices in control.

Small floor air conditioner

Electrolux EACM-10AG with exclusive design and original appearance. The device with the function of air purification provides an even distribution of air flow in the room. The conditioner works in three modes: ventilation, cooling, automatic.

The innovative remote control is integrated into the body of the device. The design is equipped with an electronic thermostat, three-speed and a timer.

Characteristics:

  • power - 2.93 kW;
  • working area - up to 15 m 2;
  • electronic control;
  • modes: ventilation, cooling, automatic;
  • airflow - 4.67 cu. m/min;
  • noise level - 45 dB;
  • functions (automatic condensate removal, anion generator, setting memory);
  • dimensions - 43.6 by 79.7 by 39 cm;
  • weight - 28.3 kg.

Pros:

  • innovative remote control;
  • functionality;
  • low noise level;
  • equipment with an air filtration system;
  • compact dimensions, portability.

Minuses:

  • short power cord;
  • small working area.

Floor air conditioner without duct

Midea Cyclone CN-85 P09CN Designed for installation in offices and residential areas. The device is functional, effectively cools, heats and ventilates. The built-in ion filter reliably cleans the air from polluting particles.

The device is equipped with a timer and a remote control with which you can set the necessary parameters, time and mode of operation. The downside of the product is the lack of a tank for collecting condensate.

Characteristics:

  • working area - 25 m 2;
  • air exchange - 400 m3 / hour;
  • power - 2.6 kW;
  • noise of work - 50 dB;
  • weight - 30 kg;
  • dimensions - 950 by 1070 by 290 mm;
  • functions (filtering, timer, autosave settings).

Pros:

  • fast air exchange;
  • compactness, mobility;
  • transportable design;
  • changing operating parameters, setting the required mode;
  • thorough air filtration;
  • functionality.

Minuses:

Floor air conditioner with heating

Saturn ST-09CPH with convenient and simple touch control, good condensate drainage system, elastic outlet hose. The model provides high-quality work in three operating modes.

The device heats medium-sized rooms - 30 square meters. m. The air conditioner is small in weight, functional. Air purification occurs with the help of a special antibacterial filter.

Characteristics:

  • working area - 30 sq. m;
  • dimensions - 500 by 460 by 865 mm;
  • cooling and heating power - 2.5 kW;
  • electrical control via digital display;
  • weight - 30 kg;
  • functions (automatic evaporation of condensate, automatic diagnostics);
  • equipment (air conditioner, manual, control panel).

Pros:

  • equipped with an automatic condensate drain;
  • convenient fastening of the air duct;
  • automatic diagnostics of work;
  • simple touch control;
  • functionality;
  • compactness, portability.

Minuses:

  • low sound insulation.

Mobile floor air conditioner

Ballu BPAM-09H suitable for use in apartments, cottages, shops. The device operates in three modes, heats an area up to 23 square meters. m. The device is portable, mobile, does not take up much space in space.

Features a comfortable and practical package. Reversible model: To switch from cooling mode to heating mode, the air duct and the air grille must be reversed. The weight of the structure is small, easy to transport.

Characteristics:

  • power characteristic - 2.6 kW;
  • mechanical control;
  • 3 operating modes (ventilation, cooling, dehumidification);
  • recommended area - up to 23 sq. m;
  • noise effect - 53 dB;
  • weight - 27 kg;
  • dimensions - 64 by 51 by 30 cm;
  • functions (power on indication, filtering);
  • kit (wheels, condensate tank, flexible hose);
  • color - silver.

Pros:

  • technical reliability;
  • compactness, portability;
  • functionality;
  • removal of condensate;
  • rapid cooling of small rooms;
  • comfortable and practical equipment.

Minuses:

  • there is no option to set the temperature.

Floor standing air conditioner with humidifier

Honeywell CHS071AE Effectively cools a room up to 15 sq. m. The device is intended for use in apartments, houses, kindergartens, schools.

The device not only heats or cools the air, but also provides good filtration, so the risk of diseases is reduced, and a pleasant microclimate is established in the room. High noise isolation, compactness.

Characteristics:

  • working area - 15 m 2;
  • cooled air volume – 300 m3/h;
  • cooling power - 50 W, heating - 1200 W;
  • noise level - 20-29 dB;
  • dimensions - 24 by 39 by 65 cm;
  • weight - 5.9 kg;
  • functions (timer, filtering).

Pros:

  • air purification from dust, allergens;
  • provides a favorable microclimate;
  • small dimensions, transportability;
  • high level of sound insulation;
  • reducing the occurrence of respiratory diseases.

Minuses:

  • there is no separate air cooling mode.

Quiet floor air conditioner

Zanussi ZACM-14 VT/N1 Vitorrio with high power and performance provides comfortable living conditions and maintains an optimal temperature. The device cools the area of ​​25-36 sq. m. The air conditioner operates in three modes, providing excellent sound insulation.

Convenient control with a remote control. The design weighs 31 kg, so it is easy to transport. The device operates in three modes: cooling, dehumidification and ventilation.

Characteristics:

  • working area - 25-36 sq. m;
  • power - 4.1 kW;
  • air exchange - 300 m3 / hour;
  • noise level - 47 dB;
  • dimensions - 475 × 405 × 747 mm;
  • weight - 31 kg;
  • 3 operating modes (cooling, drying, ventilation);
  • functions (timer, automatic evaporation of condensate, remote control);
  • White color.

Pros:

  • high energy efficiency;
  • the ability to adjust the air flow;
  • modern and stylish design;
  • functionality;
  • transportability, reliability;
  • compactness, mobility;
  • convenient remote control with a remote control.

Minuses:

  • a small air outlet.

Floor air conditioner for home

Compact BORK Y502, so it can be placed under or near the windowsill, take it with you to the office or to the country. At temperatures above 25 degrees, the device operates in cooling mode. When the temperature drops, the device switches to ventilation mode.

At the same time, air circulation occurs without cooling, which contributes to efficient operation and energy savings. The product with a convenient remote control operates in two modes. The design is small in size, weighs a little, transportable.

Characteristics:

  • the design weighs 27 kg;
  • dimensions - 460 by 540 by 450 mm;
  • touch and remote control;
  • 2 operating modes (cooling, ventilation);
  • sound effect - 50 dB;
  • ventilation - 260 m3 per hour;
  • power - 1 kV;
  • working area - 25 sq. m;
  • equipment (air duct, remote control, drain hose, batteries, accessories for the hood);
  • color - silver-black.

Pros:

  • mobility, compactness;
  • possibility of remote control;
  • air filter equipment;
  • practical equipment;
  • stylish and ergonomic design.

Minuses:

  • the noise level is exceeded.

Floor air conditioner with ionizer

Dantex RK-09PNM-R with an ionizer creates a favorable atmosphere in the house, provides high-quality air filtration. The appliance saves energy.

The kit includes an air duct, a set of fasteners for installing the device in a vertical and horizontal position. There is no condensate collection tank in the design.

The device is compact, effectively cools the area up to 25 square meters. m. Noise of work within the permissible limits.

Characteristics:

  • power - 2.63 kW;
  • dimensions - 430 by 720 by 320 mm.
  • air consumption - 377-422 cubic meters. m per hour;
  • noise level - 50-56 dB;
  • remote control type;
  • working area - up to 25 sq. m;
  • equipment (compressor, hose, remote control).

Pros:

  • good sound insulation;
  • elegant and stylish design;
  • convenient remote control;
  • functionality;
  • low noise level;
  • night work.

Minuses:

  • no condensate tank.


Maintaining optimal microclimate parameters in a residential area is a very important task that improves not only the comfort of people, but also their well-being and health. During the cold period, heating equipment copes with this task, but when the temperature rises outside and the sun appears, excess heat from the room must be removed. To solve this problem, air conditioning systems have been developed. How to choose an air conditioner for an apartment? What to pay attention to, and how to correctly calculate the required power and place the equipment? Let's consider these questions in more detail.

The need for air conditioning in the apartment

Before answering the question of which air conditioner to choose for an apartment, let's decide whether such a system is generally necessary in a residential area. Is it possible to do without it? In principle, even though regulatory documents set the optimum temperature for residential premises in the summer, there are no strict restrictions for maintenance.

How to choose the right air conditioner for your apartment? The main document in which sanitary and hygienic requirements for microclimate parameters for residential and public buildings are prescribed is GOST 30494-2011. For the warm period of the year, it indicates the following optimal and permissible temperature parameters:

  • optimal - 22–25 ° C;
  • permissible - 20–28 ° C.

At these temperature limits, a person feels most comfortable in the hot season. But there is one nuance. It is also important to focus on the outside temperature. If people are in the room constantly do not leave it, then they get used to the established temperature. But if you have to go outside and return to a chilled room again, then it is advisable to set the temperature at least 10 ° C from the street. In this case, there will be no sudden changes, and it is easier for the human body to adapt to the constant change in ambient temperature. Based on these restrictions, most often they choose an air conditioner in an apartment. It is necessary to buy it after selection and determination of characteristics.

Basic parameters for choosing an air conditioner

Which air conditioner is better to choose for an apartment and what characteristics should it have? In principle, this task should be handled by a specialist from a specialized organization who will inspect your premises and evaluate its parameters, select the equipment that is optimal in terms of power. But not all employees of climate organizations really have the necessary knowledge and are able to select the necessary equipment with high quality. Also, when choosing a system, the customer also thinks about which air conditioner of which company is better to choose for an apartment, and an employee of a specialized organization often offers from those options that are profitable for him to sell.

So to be guided in principles of selection of conditioners will never be superfluous. This skill will allow you to more or less accurately determine the appropriate equipment.

To choose, you must independently or with the help of specialists determine the following parameters of the air conditioner:

  • cooling power.
  • block type, place of its installation.
  • additional functions;
  • manufacturer and specific model.

The first two parameters must be determined with maximum accuracy, and the selection of additional functions and the manufacturer depends more on the specific preferences of the buyer and financial capabilities. Features may include additional air purification, ionization, low noise, inverter compressor, additional sensors and control features. Recently, blocks with wi-fi control have also appeared.

The main types and types of air conditioners

One of the first questions that you need to decide before buying is which air conditioner to buy in an apartment based on its design. After all, split systems, as well as air conditioners of other types, are produced in different types of installation. Of course, not all of them are used for apartments, but still the choice is quite wide. You can consider these air conditioners:

  • window - installed in the window opening, now rarely used;
  • portable - they are a monoblock with a pipe for ejecting hot air to the street;
  • wall-mounted - mounted on the wall at some distance from the ceiling;
  • floor-ceiling - installed on the ceiling, the intersection of walls and ceiling, or floor and wall;
  • channel - require a network of ducts that distributes cold air to the required points;
  • cassette - installed in a false ceiling of the Armstrong type, or any other;
  • columned - floor block in the form of a column.

What is the best air conditioner for an apartment? Reviews of all types of blocks consist of personal impressions of people, but they are not always based on real facts. For example, an air conditioner may be installed incorrectly or illiterately calculated, and a person complains that wall-mounted air conditioners are bad. Let's briefly consider the features of some species.

To answer the question of how to choose a household air conditioner for an apartment, let's decide on the most suitable types. Of all the listed types, the vast majority choose wall-mounted air conditioners. This is due to the fact that with the same power and characteristics, they are always slightly cheaper than other types due to their prevalence. They also fit quite well into the apartment interior and allow you to cool the room of different sizes and layouts.

wall

Most often, wall-mounted air conditioners are used in apartments. This is due to their cost, ease of installation and a large selection of models with different characteristics, additional functions and design.

Floor-ceiling, column

So what kind of air conditioner to buy in an apartment? Reviews and experience with the following types tell us that cassette, duct, floor-to-ceiling and duct units are usually placed in a large area. For example, large living rooms or halls. If there are prerequisites for this. Column blocks are usually designed for very large rooms and are practically not used in apartments.


Cassette

The cassette unit is designed for installation in a false ceiling. The working part of the unit is located in the subceiling space. Outside, only air intake grilles and blinds remain. One of the advantages of cassette air conditioners is that the air is distributed on four sides (in some low-power models, two or one). Basically, such blocks are placed in large rooms, but if necessary, you can choose from models of medium and low power. They are rarely used in apartments.

Mobile (portable)

Separately, we can mention portable (mobile) air conditioners. They do not apply to split systems, since all their parts are in one block, but they are popular because of their price.

Typically, mobile air conditioners are turned off by a lower price compared to split systems, but in most other parameters they lose. They are produced of low power (on average, it is problematic to cool a room of more than 30 m 2 with a portable air conditioner). Also, due to the arrangement in which the compressor is located indoors, mobile units are quite noisy and difficult to use at night. Also a problem is the removal of condensate or the constant emptying of the drainage tank.

How to choose a mobile air conditioner for an apartment? Although the reviews and recommendations of experts do not incline to the use of such a system, it is also important to do everything right when choosing. First of all, it is necessary to select the power according to the technology below. But the peculiarity lies in the fact that it must be taken with a margin of 15-20%, since part of the cold air is removed when the unit is operating outside.

Air conditioner power calculation

How to choose an air conditioner for an apartment according to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room? This question is asked by a person who came up with the idea to independently calculate the cooling capacity of a split system. In principle, such a calculation is possible, but first of all we will talk about how a block is selected taking into account all the rules.

Since the function of the air conditioner is to cool the air, its calculation is to select the power of the unit in such a way that it removes all excess heat entering the room. A room in an apartment is heated from various sources. They are divided into external and internal.

The external ones include:

  • solar radiation that enters through the glazing;
  • heat that is transferred through walls and other enclosing structures due to the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor air;
  • heat gains from forced ventilation are also classified as external.

Internal heat enters the room from people, electrical and heating equipment, lighting.

The main sources of heat in the apartment are heating from solar radiation and heat from household appliances and other equipment. People, indoor lighting and ventilation are often not taken into account, as these are a small fraction of the total heat gains.

External heat gains

But the calculation of heat gains from the sun is a rather laborious task, for which a special technique and a different amount of additional data are used. They depend on the location of the room, the thickness and construction of the walls, the region in which the apartment is located. Such a calculation is impractical and takes a lot of time.

For a simplified selection of an air conditioner, there is a special technique that ties the required power to the volume of the room. For such a calculation, it is necessary to take the volume of the room (the area multiplied by the height) and multiply by the specific heat load. The specific heat load for different situations is chosen as follows:

  • if the sun's rays practically do not fall into the room under consideration and it is located on the unlit side - 30–35 W / m 3;
  • average value - 35 W / m 3;
  • for rooms with large glazing that faces the sunny side - 35–40 V / m 3.

That is, for example, for a room in a residential building with an area of ​​​​20 m 3, a height of 3 m, which is located on the shady side, you can choose an air conditioner 20 * 3 * 30 \u003d 1800 W,

It is important to note that the power received in Watts is not electrical, but only indicates the amount of heat that the air conditioner is able to remove. This parameter is usually indicated in the characteristics of the model and in the catalogs of the air conditioner. Also, marking is carried out in British thermal units per hour (BTU / h), which are related to watts according to the formula 1 BTU / h \u003d 0.293 W. That is, an air conditioner 1800 W = 6140 BTU / h. According to the parameters, an air conditioner with a minimum power of 2.0 kW (7000 BTU / h) is suitable.

Internal heat gains

In many premises, internal heat gains make up a significant part of their total number, but this mainly applies to public, industrial and commercial premises. In housing, their percentage is very small and in some cases they can be ignored.

Heat is emitted by electrical equipment, motors, computers, televisions and other household appliances. In general, heat dissipation from electronics can be taken as 30% of their power consumption.

Heat dissipation from people in apartments is not taken into account. As for ventilation, if the apartment has a forced ventilation system, then when calculating the air conditioning, you need to take into account the additional amount of heat that is supplied with the outside air to the room. On average, in the presence of ventilation, the power of the air conditioner can be taken 20% more.

Inverter compressor: pros and cons

There are many varieties of air conditioners, for domestic use there is an important division into inverter and non-inverter units. The very first air conditioners were produced not of the inverter type, when the compressor was not regulated. It simply turned on automatically when cooling was needed and turned off when the temperature was reached. This mode does not allow you to accurately maintain the temperature in the room. There are quite serious temperature drops of up to several degrees in a short period of time.

Relatively recently appeared in air conditioners with an inverter compressor. In it, the compressor performance was smoothly regulated, it did not stop, it only pumped a smaller amount of refrigerant through itself. This allows you to more accurately maintain the temperature and increase the service life due to rare starts. These air conditioners use significantly less electricity.

The main disadvantage that hinders the spread of inverter air conditioners is their price. they are from 2 times more expensive than the same blocks of the usual type.

Location, is it possible to install one air conditioner for the whole apartment?

Often there are questions about the choice of the number of air conditioners for the apartment. Do they need to be installed in each room, or can one be placed and it will cool the entire apartment. For example, how to choose an air conditioner for a two-room apartment?

The best option, of course, is to install a block in each room. This is done in the same way as for heating appliances. But with some planning, you can get by with one. This is possible if there is a large opening between the two rooms. In this case, it is desirable to place the air conditioner so that from one room through the doorway, part of the air enters the next one. In this case, the room where it is installed will be colder, but the adjacent room will in any case be cooler than without a split system.

The same option is considered when installing an air conditioner in the corridor. With the doors open, part of the air enters the adjacent rooms, but there is a danger that the air conditioner will quickly cool the corridor and turn off. And the flow of cold air will not be enough to compensate for the heating from the outside. In both cases, the air conditioner in terms of power must be designed for the entire volume of the premises that it is designed to cool.

Also, the unit must be placed so that cold air does not blow on workplaces, sofas, armchairs and beds.

Manufacturer's choice

Let's talk about manufacturers. What is the best air conditioner for an apartment? The rating of firms, which sometimes comes across on the net, rarely has anything in common with reality. In general, all companies that produce household air conditioners for apartments can be divided into three large groups. These are Japanese manufacturers that produce reliable and high-quality air conditioners, but their price can sometimes reach the cost of a small used car:

  • Mitsubishi Electric;
  • Mitsubishi Heavy Industries;
  • Daikin;
  • Fujitsu General;
  • Hitachi;
  • Toshiba;
  • Chofu.

Moreover, the production of these brands is rarely located in Japan, but this practically does not affect the quality.

The second group is the average price range. These usually include Korean manufacturers Samsung, LG, well-known Chinese brands Midea, Cooper & Hunter, Tosot and others. The products of these brands are quite reliable and can be recommended in the absence of large financial resources.

The third group is inexpensive air conditioners, which are produced under different names at factories in China. It can be both completely unfamiliar brands, and names that are well-known and echo well-known firms that produce household appliances.

The first thing to consider when choosing an air conditioner is the possibility of installing it indoors. As a rule, only a few types of air conditioners are used for the home.

coolcondition.com
  • Suitable for apartments, cottages and almost any residential premises.
  • Advantages: heating function, minimum noise, high-quality air filtration, a huge selection of models.
  • disadvantages: Uneven cooling and heating of large rooms.
  • Price: on average from 15,000 rubles for 20 m² + installation.

Wall split system - the most popular and versatile type of air conditioners. It includes an indoor unit, which is mounted on the wall in the room, and an external unit, mounted on the facade of the building. The distance between them can reach 20 meters.


Not air circulates between the blocks, but freon. In cooling mode, it takes heat from the room and brings it out.

In multi-split systems, there may be several indoor units, but at the same time they are all connected to only one outdoor unit. Such systems are suitable for air conditioning several rooms at once or one large hall when indoor units are placed in its various parts.

Installing a split system can cost as much as an air conditioner.

However, do not try to do everything yourself: if malfunctions are found, problems may arise with warranty repairs.


homethods.com
  • Suitable for country houses and small premises where it is not possible to install a split system.
  • Advantages A: Ability to move, no need to pay for installation.
  • disadvantages: higher noise level, bulkiness, limited power - no more than 3 kW on average.
  • Price: on average from 15,000 rubles for 20 m².

You can install a mobile air conditioner yourself. It is enough just to place it on the floor in the right place and bring a flexible air duct through a window or hole in the wall - a hose with a diameter of about 10 cm and a length of up to 1.5 m.

Most mobile air conditioners are designed for an area of ​​​​no more than 20–30 m². Models capable of cooling 40-50 squares are much less on sale. Yes, and they cost at least 25,000 rubles. Consider them only if there are no other options.
Where can I buy:

Pay attention to the compressor

The advantage of split systems will be an inverter compressor. The control unit in such air conditioners converts the alternating supply current into direct current and then again into an alternating current of the required frequency. This allows you to control the speed of the compressor motor and smoothly regulate the temperature in the room.

However, it is more important for the buyer to know that inverter air conditioners are more reliable and more economical. Yes, they are more expensive, but the overpayment upon purchase is offset by bills for. Compared to non-inverter counterparts, the difference in energy consumption can reach 30-40%.

Determine the right power

Everything is simple here: the larger the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, the greater the power should be. In an ordinary apartment with a ceiling height of not more than 3 m, for every 10 m² there should be at least 1 kW.

Accordingly, if the air conditioner is installed in a room of 20 m², it is necessary to consider models with a minimum of 2 kW. However, you don’t have to worry about all this, since the product cards usually indicate what area the air conditioner will handle.

If there are a lot of electrical appliances in the room, especially computer equipment, it is better to consider air conditioners with a slightly higher power.

Also consider the location. South-facing rooms are usually warmer. This is another reason to think about increasing power.

In both cases, you can choose a model designed for a large area. Plus 5 m is usually enough.

Check for the right modes

Heating

This function is designed for the off-season, when there is no heating in the room, and it is cold outside.


In heating mode, heated freon enters the indoor unit of the split system, and cooled freon is output

In many split systems, outdoor units can operate at -7°C. At lower temperatures, the heating power drops and there is a risk of icing on the outdoor unit.

Some inverter models are able to heat the room, even when it is -25 ° C outside the window.

dehumidification

This mode makes it easier to endure the sweltering heat and prevents the spread. This feature is now standard on most air conditioners.

Ventilation

This mode circulates the air in the room. As a rule, the compressor and fan of the outdoor unit of the split system are turned off, only the indoor one works. Do not confuse this mode with the influx of fresh air from the street.

Air cleaning

Coarse filters are in almost every air conditioner. They block dust and larger particles like fluff and wool. Filters must be removed and cleaned at least once every few months.


Much more important is the fine filter, which is able to capture the smallest, various odors and cigarette smoke. Such filters cannot always be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or rinsed with water. If necessary, filters should be changed immediately.

Consultants in stores can say a lot of flattering words about some newfangled filter, but they, of course, will keep silent about the need to replace it in a month or two.

For example, catechin filters can be used for about 30 days. After this period, they are not only useless, but also cause an unpleasant swamp smell.

Ionization

This mode is understood as the saturation of the air with air ions, which should provide a surge of strength and well-being in general.

This mode cannot be called marketing noodles, however, many people do not feel any effect from ionization.

Air ions are air particles that carry an electric charge. Under natural conditions, air saturated with air ions is present on the slopes of high mountains, near waterfalls, on the banks of mountain rivers, seas and oceans.

Oxygen saturation

Under this mode of operation, completely different mechanisms can be implied.

  1. A special generator that uses the physical method of gas separation. It consists of two separators that absorb and remove nitrogen to the street, and return oxygen to the room.
  2. A special membrane that, when air is sucked in, retains nitrogen molecules, but allows oxygen to pass through.
  3. An air exchanger for supplying fresh air from the street and removing air with a high concentration of carbon dioxide from the room.

Simple domestic split systems cannot supply fresh air to the room. They only "drive" the air inside the room, cooling or heating it. The refrigerant, freon, circulates through the tubes between the blocks themselves.

Check out more features

  1. Sleep mode or night mode. With it, the air conditioner will make less noise at night and automatically lower the temperature by several degrees.
  2. Turbo mode. Allows you to quickly reach the set temperature. To do this, the air conditioner operates at increased power, but not more than half an hour.
  3. Defrosting the outdoor unit. Function for using the air conditioner in the cold season, when outside the window is not higher than 5 °C. Not needed for those who do not plan to heat the air in the room.
  4. Self-diagnosis- self-determination of system malfunctions.
  5. WiFi support. Allows you to control the air conditioner from your smartphone. Not needed if you have a convenient remote control.
  6. Motion Sensor. The ability to switch to energy saving mode with minimal activity in the room.
  7. Air flow regulation. Allows you to set the direction of air flow, which may well save you from if you sleep directly under the air conditioner.

Don't Forget Energy Efficiency

Air conditioners have an energy efficiency coefficient for cooling mode (marked EER - Energy Efficiency Ratio) and heating mode (COP - Coefficient of Performance). They are calculated according to various formulas, but in the end, all values ​​\u200b\u200bare reduced to classes familiar to household appliances: from A (highest) to G (lowest).

Depending on the operating mode, the energy consumption class of the air conditioner may be different. For example, in cooling mode - A ++, and in heating - A +.

If you wish, you will have to fork out pretty much for the unit itself. Prices for class A +++ split systems start at 60,000 rubles. However, overpaying is not always worth it.

For example, if we compare models designed for 25 squares, then class A +++ air conditioners consume an average of 500-600 watts of energy, and A ++ analogues - 700-800 watts. In this case, the difference in their price can reach 50%. With a limited budget, it is better to find the best option for the A ++ class.


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To this day, air conditioners with energy class B, C and even D are also on sale. These are either very powerful systems for large areas, or the cheapest models. But it's not worth saving. A model with energy class A and above will be more expensive by only a few thousand rubles. This overpayment will quickly be beaten off in electricity bills.

Buyer's checklist

  1. For an apartment, first of all, consider wall-mounted split systems. Such units are excellent for various climatic conditions and temperature extremes. Yes, there is a wide range of prices.
  2. It is worth buying mobile household air conditioners only in rooms where it is not possible to install a split system with an outdoor unit.
  3. Cassette air conditioners will be an excellent choice for rooms from 50 m² with a false ceiling. For small rooms they are not even considered.
  4. Before buying, check the support for the features you really need, as well as check the life of the filters.
  5. When choosing a model, pay attention not only to the cooling area, but also to the energy efficiency of the system. Anything below class A can significantly increase electricity bills.