Creating comfortable conditions in the house is impossible without maintaining a normal microclimate. Split air conditioning for an apartment is preferable to a monoblock. Before choosing a model, you should determine the required power of the equipment, the number of rooms that are planned to be cooled, the location of the equipment. An important indicator is the intensity of sunlight in the room. Based on the comparison of all data, a suitable model is selected.
Purpose and type of air conditioner
The first models of air conditioners worked to cool indoor air. New developments operate in 2 modes - cooling and heating. All equipment is divided into 2 large categories - monoblocks and split systems. Models are classified into several categories:
- place of installation;
- power;
- air heating function;
- air filtration / ionization capabilities.
Split modules consist of 2 blocks - outdoor and indoor.
Multisystems can have multiple indoor units with 1 outdoor unit. The maximum number of indoor units is 16. These models are suitable for large multi-room apartments. They are often installed in offices. Equipping an air cooling system using 1 outer casing is beneficial as it reduces the financial and labor costs of the installation.
Types of multichannel models:
- wall-mounted;
- cassette;
- channel;
- floor and ceiling;
- columnar.
For domestic needs, wall and floor-ceiling units are used. Column, channel, cassette are used on large areas in industry, trade, in official institutions.
The principle of operation and characteristics of the split system
The outdoor unit contains the compressor and the cooling system. A module is installed in the room with direct cooling of the room, distribution of the air flow in several directions, and a control function. Purified cooled air is supplied from the outer casing to the inner one. The exhaust air from the room is discharged to the outdoor unit.
In a multisystem, several indoor modules are located in separate rooms of an apartment or in one large hall.
The advantages of split structures:
- outdoor location of the working unit - the noise remains outside the room;
- suspended installation frees up room space;
- the ability to use several indoor units with 1 outdoor unit saves money on the installation of separate systems for each room;
- choice of installation location for equipment: on the ceiling, on the wall, on the floor;
- air filtration;
- high power of installations.
Disadvantages of system air conditioners:
- the complexity of the installation - it is necessary to invite a specialist;
- after installation, the equipment must not be moved;
- outdoor location of the working module requires protection from external weather and mechanical influences.
Before installing the outdoor unit, you should clarify whether there is a restriction by local authorities on the installation of household appliances on the walls of the house.
Power selection
Initially, the English metric system was adopted to determine the technical characteristics of air coolers. British thermal unit (BTU). The capacity of the equipment was 5,000, 7,000, 9,000, 12,000 BTU. This marking system has been preserved in many foreign companies. The number in the name of the equipment indicates the cooling capacity of the model. If the marking is 09, then the model generates 9,000 BTU.
To choose a split system for your home, you should also take into account the number of people living in the room and the availability of household or electronic equipment.
1 BTU = 0.293 W. For the air conditioner with designation 09, the power is 2.5 kW.
To calculate the power of the module, use the formula: Design power = power for cooling the volume of the room + power for compensating for heat emitted by people + power for cooling heat flows generated by the work of household appliances.
The power required to cool a certain volume of the room calculated as the volume of the room X by the insolation coefficient (specific power required for 1 volume).
Insolation has different meanings in different places.
| № | Room location | Coefficient value in W / m³ |
| 1 | North / north-east side | 30 |
| 2 | East / West / Northwest side | 35 |
| 3 | South / South-East / South-West side | 40 |
The amount of heat coming from people, depends on physical activity. At rest, a person emits 100 watts, with a heavy load - 150 watts. To calculate the capacity of an apartment air conditioner for the quadrature of the room, they proceed from the amount of heat released in a quiet state. It is multiplied by the number of people.
To determine the heat from technology, constantly working devices are taken into account.
| № | Type of equipment | Heat generated in W |
| 1 | A computer | 200 |
| 2 | Television | 300 |
| 3 | Other devices | 30% power consumption |
The sum of the obtained values will give the required power of the air conditioner for a medium-sized room with closed windows. To determine how many squares the split system 9 can cool the air, you should add the initial data.
When calculating the power of equipment for ventilated rooms, the increased load on the module is taken into account. To the resulting amount add 20%.
Many manufacturers indicate in the technical data sheet of the equipment whether the air conditioner can work with open / ajar windows.
Air heating function
To switch to heating, the module setting is switched from cooling to heating. The air conditioner operates in the opposite direction. Thermal energy is taken from the outside air and transferred to the room.
Air Conditioner Energy Efficiency
When choosing a split system for an apartment, pay attention to the ratio of electricity consumption to power in cooling / heating the air. To do this, use the coefficients of energy efficiency (EER) and thermal conversion (COP). In the first case, the cooling work is evaluated, in the second - the heating work. The higher the coefficients, the more efficiently the air conditioner works. For accessibility, a letter classification of cooling systems has been created.
| № | Class | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| 1 | EER | More than 3.2 | 3,0 – 3,2 | 3,0 – 2,8 | 2,8 – 2,6 | 2,6 – 2,4 | 2,4 – 2,2 | Up to 2.2 |
| 2 | COP | More than 3.6 | 3,4 – 3,6 | 3,4 – 3,2 | 3,2 – 2,8 | 2,8 – 2,6 | 2,6 – 2,4 | Up to 2.4 |
Energy efficiency ratios were calculated in laboratory conditions. To choose the right split systems, you need to consider dependence of work on the season, weather conditions. There are seasonal correction factors used by engineers when developing new models of equipment.
Acceptable noise level
To determine the quality of operation of split systems, the level of noise generated by them is taken into account. Despite the fact that the operating unit is located outside the room, this indicator plays an important role in assessing the cooling function of the air conditioner. The quieter the engine runs, the more comfortable the residents of the house feel.Sound is measured in decibels. The less dB the motor generates, the quieter the sound.
Sanitary standards set the maximum level of permissible noise 34 dB. Most split air conditioners operate in a range not exceeding 30 dB.
Inverter models
Unlike conventional models, inverter air conditioners are more sensitive to temperature fluctuations. At the slightest change in indicators, a command is automatically given to correct the power of work. With such a system, the equipment is constantly in operation. But by adjusting the power, energy savings are achieved.
Air filtration and treatment system
Air conditioners are equipped with a primary air purification filter. It is removed and cleaned periodically. Some models are equipped with filters for antibacterial purification of the stream. Manufacturers install bio-, kakhetian, plasma filters that destroy fungal spores, mold, pathogenic microorganisms at the molecular level.
Some companies produce air conditioners with air ionization function. This technique saturates the room with negative ions, purified oxygen. Use this option with caution.
Modules with a humidification function are popular. They supply purified air saturated with moisture into the room.
Which air conditioner to choose for an apartment
Air conditioners are made with a versatile design suitable for any setting. Usually it is white, clear rectangular shapes.
An important parameter is the distance from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit. The maximum size is considered to be 15 meters.
There are samples on the market designed for all categories of consumers. Budget options, middle level appliances, elite class air conditioners.
In split systems, they install automatic modesaffecting comfort and cost:
- Sleep comfort - silent mode at low power.
- Wind - simulates the movement of air with a change in direction and regulation of intensity.
- Saving.
- Dehumidification of air.
- Enhanced mode - fast cooling.
- Self-diagnosis.
- Climate control.
Climate control systems are the most expensive.
When choosing a split system for an apartment, you should also pay attention to specifications:
- block weight - outdoor and indoor;
- dimensions;
- temperature Range;
- the area of the refrigerated room;
- noise level;
- heating power.
The brand of the manufacturer is also important. On the one hand, a well-known company initially guarantees the high quality of its equipment. On the other hand, you have to pay for the brand. Household appliances from popular companies are more expensive.
