How to choose the right air conditioners for home or apartment?

Those days when air conditioning was considered an attribute of high affluence have long been in the past. Today, clever equipment that can provide life-giving coolness in an apartment in a hot summer, and with the onset of the first cold weather, can warm a room, can be found in almost everyone. A huge variety of models of HVAC equipment will perplex any buyer, so the question of how to choose air conditioners suitable for all parameters for an apartment becomes more and more urgent. In everyday life, devices with a power of 1.5 to 8 kW are used. They can be stationary or portable and vary in type of design, characteristics and operating principles. Knowing the area of ​​the room and taking into account some additional factors, one can easily calculate the required capacity of the climatic equipment.

Types of air conditioners for apartments and houses

In everyday life, several types of air conditioners are used, which one to choose is the buyer's business. Typically, window or mobile devices and split systems, simple and inverter, are offered. To choose a model that is optimal for a house or apartment, you need to know how they differ, what additional functions they have, whether the given power is enough to cool the room.

Window air conditioner

This type of household appliance is the most economical. The window model is a monolithic block, which is placed in a window or a special hole made in the wall. By choosing such a model, you can save a lot, because its cost is much lower than the cost of other units.

Depending on the specific model, the power of the device is from 1.5 to 5.5 kW. Most often, window air conditioners do not have a heating function, which is very convenient to use in the autumn, but there are options with this addition.

Recently, window air conditioners are increasingly fading into the background. This is due to some drawbacks, one of which is the loud noise emitted by the cooling system during operation. In addition, the unit unit occupies a good half of the window, which reduces the natural lighting of the room. If plastic windows are installed in the room and a hole for the cooling device is not provided, then installation of the window model becomes impossible.

Among the advantages of window air conditioners, one can single out a low cost, a rather high coefficient of efficiency, ease of care and the simplicity of the installation, which is easy to perform without calling specialists.

Mobile air conditioners

Portable models are best suited for those people who constantly change their place of residence or live in a rented apartment. Mobile devices do not require fixed installation. It is enough to put the unit in a convenient place, turn it on, and the room will be cooled. Thanks to the integrated wheels, the unit is easy to roll from place to place.

The disadvantage of a mobile air conditioner is the loud noise emitted by a running engine, and low power. Typically, this model is installed in rooms with an area of ​​not more than 25 square meters. m. In addition, it has an impressive size and occupies a significant part of the usable area.

Among the advantages of mobile air conditioners in the first place is the low cost of the product and the possibility of self-assembly.

Split system

Currently, the most popular and demanded by customers are air conditioners arranged as a split system. They are installed in apartments and country houses, in offices and industrial premises.

This type of climatic equipment differs significantly from monoblock units. A split system is a device consisting of an external and an internal unit, interconnected by means of cables and pipes. Thanks to this connection, the refrigerant circulates between the units. Using this equipment, you can cool a room with an area of ​​15-90 square meters. m

The split system is equipped with many useful functions, such as air heating, a timer, motion and light sensors, ventilation and others. Each new model is more perfect than the previous one.

Air conditioners of this type have a lot of positive qualities compared to other models. They work almost silently, which allows you to install climate equipment in the bedrooms and children's rooms.

The device is controlled remotely using a remote control. The system is completely safe in operation, which is also an important factor influencing the choice of air conditioning.

Perhaps split systems have only one drawback - high cost, because the purchase of high-quality equipment of this type will result in a tidy sum. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the costs of calling specialists to install the system, since not everyone will be able to start such a complex device on their own.

Inverter air conditioners

Recently, split-systems with an invertor principle of action have become increasingly popular. In such household appliances, the compressor power is spontaneously regulated depending on external factors. As soon as the air in the room is cooled to the set temperature, the air conditioner does not turn off, but continues to work with low power.

This non-stop operation of the compressor makes the device more economical and wear-resistant. Efficiency is increased due to the fact that the air conditioner does not have to initially cool the air after switching on, it just maintains the temperature at the same level. Saving electric energy with an inverter type of device reaches 40% per year. As you know, most of all the equipment wears out from frequent on and off. Inverter air conditioners work constantly, so they are characterized by high durability and a long service life.

More recently, inverter models have been very expensive, it was only a wealthy buyer who could buy them. Today, new models have been developed that have a very affordable price.

Calculation of the required power

Before choosing an air conditioner, first of all, you need to pay attention to its power. The quality of air cooling in the apartment depends on this indicator.

Important!

The compressor power should correspond to the volume of the room in which the unit is installed, therefore, the fundamental figure in the calculation will be the area of ​​the room.

The power of the air conditioner is in direct proportion to the area of ​​the room. If there is not enough power, the device will not cope with cooling in hot weather. And if you install a too powerful unit in a small room, you will need a lot of excess power. In addition, the compressor will often shut down, since cooling a small room will not require much time, resulting in increased wear.

The average power rating of the air conditioner needed to cool 25 m3 of space is 2.5 kW. This figure will increase if people live in the apartment, there are heating appliances or windows facing the sunny side, that is, additional heat sources.

An example scheme for calculating compressor power is as follows.

• Every 10 m3 of area requires 1000 watts of power.
• If the room has a window into which sunlight penetrates half a day, then another 20% will have to be added to the resulting figure.
• The electronics located in the room also generate heat, so another 20% of the power of each device should be added.
• Do not forget about the people who are constantly in the room. For each resident, you need to add 100 watts.

After the required power in kilowatts is determined, it must be converted to an inch system. After all, air conditioners are the brainchild of American developers, and the power in this country is measured in BTU (1 W = 3.412 BTU).

Air conditioning classes and manufacturers

After the type of air conditioner is selected and the required power is determined, you can proceed to the selection of the model. Today, climate equipment is manufactured in many countries, and often absolutely equivalent models have very different prices. But we choose the best and inexpensive air conditioning.

• Premium class.

All over the world it is recognized that the highest quality climate equipment is produced by Mitsubishi and Daikin. These are companies that set standards in the common market. For 80 years, Daikin has been specializing in the production of air conditioners, and Mitsubishi products have been recognized as the most reliable in the world by tests of independent experts. Premium equipment is highly durable, as it is equipped with reliable protection systems.

• Middle class.

Products of such well-known manufacturers as Toshiba, Panasonic, etc. belong to the middle category. Many people who do not want to overpay for additional functions choose middle-class appliances for their apartment or house, in which the optimal balance between quality and value is clearly visible.

• Economy class

Among inexpensive, but at the same time high-quality models of economy class, we can distinguish products from Shivaki (Japan), Dantex (Italy) and Hyundai (Korea). These models are equipped with only the most necessary sensors and functions, they are distinguished by increased noise, although they can last quite a long time.

Additional features of air conditioners

All air conditioners, regardless of the class to which they belong, are equipped with various functions that make using the device simple and comfortable. In addition, there are various operating modes, such as automatic, ventilation and drying mode, and others.

• Automatic operation allows you to control and maintain a given temperature in the room without human intervention. The air conditioner will turn off spontaneously when the desired cooling level is reached, and turn on as soon as it becomes necessary again.
• All air conditioners have in their arsenal the ventilation mode, which is necessary in order to mix the air flows in the room. Do not confuse ventilation and ventilation, because the air conditioner does not trap air from the outside. Therefore, using climate technology, it is sometimes necessary to open windows and ventilate the room.
• Many air conditioners have the function of dehumidifying the air. It should be noted that a working air conditioner itself already makes the air in the room drier. This is due to the fact that warm air, colliding with the refrigerant, forms condensate, which is discharged through the drain hose. The drainage mode controls the rate of decrease in temperature in the room and does not allow it to fall by more than one degree. This feature is very important for regions with high humidity.
• With the help of a special sensor, the owner of the air conditioner can regulate the speed of the air flow passing through the fan. Depending on the model, there are from 3 to 5 speeds. The faster the fan runs, the greater the noise from the air conditioner.
• The direction of air flow is controlled by special plates located on the indoor unit. When cooling, it is better to direct the air to the ceiling so that it does not get on people.If the air conditioner is in heating mode, it is advisable to direct the plates down, warm air will still rise.
• The "Restart" function will allow the air conditioner to turn on spontaneously in case of power outages. Moreover, all settings will be saved, and the device will work in the same mode as before the sudden stop.
• Manufacturers are developing air conditioners with remote access, when you can control your household appliances from a tablet or smartphone. It is very comfortable. For example, returning home from work, you can remotely turn on the air conditioner and come to the apartment with a comfortable temperature.

When choosing an air conditioner, you should always remember that the avaricious pays twice. Saving on buying a cheap model, you can spend a lot more money on its repair and maintenance.