Places for installing a split system in an apartment and stages of its installation

Choosing a split system is only half the battle, but finding the ideal place where to install an air conditioner in an apartment so that it does not interfere with anyone and does a good job with its functions is already a more difficult task. Depending on the purpose and configuration of the room that requires air conditioning, as well as on the number of people who are constantly there, the location of the equipment is determined.

For many, it is important to know whether it is possible to install the air conditioner yourself and how to do it. If a simple installation is assumed without any peculiarities (an elongated track, the presence of a ventilated facade, a complex composition of the drilled wall), then it is really possible to cope on your own.

Installing an air conditioner in the living room, bedroom and kitchen

Usually split systems are bought for cooling bedrooms, living rooms and kitchen areas.

For the hall, the main installation requirement will be to place the indoor unit in a place where the concentration of the supplied cold air will not affect the main places of residence of the residents. As a rule, the main risk zone is a point 1.5-2 meters from the device itself.

There should be no sofas, armchairs, desks in this area. It is advisable to install the unit so that the cold goes to an empty area, for example, on a wall, window or in the center of the room.

It is worth considering that the functionality of the split system is ideal when the blocks are no more than 5-7 meters apart from each other. This also allows you not to groove the walls along the entire room and not to use plastic decorative boxes for communications.

If the cold is needed in the area for a night's rest, then the main thing here will be not to direct the main stream of air to the bed.

Where can you install an air conditioner in the bedroom, while observing the conditions for placing the blocks relative to each other? The indoor module should not be placed in front of the bed, as it will be at the most dangerous point. It is allowed to hang it over the bed, that is, at the head of the bed. In this case, the cooled stream will go over it, as it were, without touching the rest.

The air conditioner can also be hung on the side of the bed if it is far enough away from it or under it when the bed is on the opposite side of the split system or is adjacent to the wall with the block. In this variant, the concentration of cold will not reach the sleeping people; only distributed coolness will reach them.

And if the room is small, where to install the air conditioner in the bedroom in this case? Regardless of the shape of the room (square or rectangular), it is hung on the opposite or adjacent wall from the bed, but moving it to the right or left (take into account the location of the window behind which the external module is located) so that air flows to the side of the sleeping area.

In especially difficult cases, preference should be given to floor-to-ceiling split systems, which are mounted on the ceiling and distribute the cold along it, and already scattered air goes down. Alternatively, buy an air conditioner with a vertical indoor unit that distributes flows along the walls.

Of course, it is better to consult with experts when deciding where to install the air conditioner in the sleeping area, because there are non-standard room configurations: with bay windows, niches, semicircular, and so on.

The kitchen also often requires the installation of an air conditioner, can this be done as correctly as possible, given that most of the population is still the happy owners of small closets, where cooking and eating takes place on 5-7 m²?

• When it is assumed that the indoor unit should be placed in such a "flawed" kitchen, the main thing is to exclude cold air from entering the dining table;
• It is also important to take into account that when the flow is directed to the gas stove, the burners are often blown out or the flame and the speed of cooking are weakened;
• Of course, it is impossible to mount the unit above a refrigerator or stove, since placing near appliances that generate heat leads to a breakdown of climatic equipment.

The ideal place in this case is above the table, closer to the window. The cold stream will go to the refrigerator or drawers from the kitchen set, without affecting those sitting at the table. At the same time, the rule of installing the blocks relative to each other will be observed, and the heat inflows from the window will be immediately cut off.

Can the air conditioner be installed elsewhere in the kitchen? Yes, the indoor unit is sometimes broadcast on the opposite wall from the window, if the table is not next to it. The air will go towards the double-glazed windows without affecting the diners.

When the room is more spacious, there are more options for installing an air conditioner in the kitchen. It is also mounted in the center of the opposite wall from the kitchen unit, since the stove can be shifted to the side, and even in the opening between the window and the wall.

Installation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner on the loggia

Speaking about installing an indoor module, do not forget that for some, the most correct solution would be to place it on a glazed loggia. In this case, it should be a continuation of the room or kitchen, that is, be combined with the main room. It will be quite enough just to take out the dividing glass unit.

How can you install an air conditioner on a loggia? Ideally, the flow of cold air should be directed to the room, since when it is distributed mainly over the loggia, it will be possible to cool the room poorly. The temperature difference will be felt very strongly: only an insignificant amount of coolness will enter the room, while the "North Pole" will be obtained on the loggia. In reality, it will not work to hang the block in front of the room, since it is impossible to fix it on the glass or below.

It follows from this that an air conditioner can be installed on the loggia, but only if there is a minimum need for cooling in the room or in the kitchen. At the same time, it is important not to allow direct sunlight to hit the device itself, and even more so on its heat exchanger.

Installation of an outdoor air conditioner unit on a balcony or loggia

All the previous rules relate to the question of where the indoor unit of the air conditioner is installed in the apartment, but the optimal installation of the outdoor unit is no less important.

In most cases, it is placed on the side of the house or under the window, sometimes on the roof. It is attached to special brackets (to the wall) or to a mounting frame (roof, ground, floor, basement or utility room).

The classic version with wall mountings is not always suitable. In panel houses, it can cause strong vibrations, and even shock-absorbing rubber pads do not always dampen these vibrations. Gradually, the fastenings are loosened due to the destruction of the walls.

Installing an air conditioner with your own hands on a balcony or loggia can be a fairly rational solution. There are two options here:

• the module is fixed on the facade of the balcony / loggia;
• the module is placed inside on fasteners or a mounting frame.

The first case is suitable for those who have a glazed loggia or balcony, the second - who do not have double-glazed windows. When placed on the facade, they try to hide the block from the sun's rays as much as possible and ensure high-quality fastening with the help of large dowels and screws. On the upper floors, the block is placed on the roof of the balcony, but at the same time, the allowable length of the route is taken into account.
Is it possible to install an air conditioner on the balcony / loggia, if, nevertheless, glazing is present, but installation on the facade is prohibited. Yes, it is possible, but it is important to ensure the following conditions:

• there should always be an air exchange with the street - this is necessary so that the device does not overheat and does not create an "equator" on the balcony;
• one of the glasses must be located directly opposite the module in order for the warm air to directly escape to the street;
• do not install multiple outdoor units inside a glazed room.

When the place where to install the air conditioner in the apartment is chosen, the question arises of how to do it yourself, and whether it is possible to carry out such work at all. It is quite possible to mount a wall split system with your own hands. Cassette, duct, floor-to-ceiling and other types of two-component climate systems are best assigned to a team of installers.

Self-installation of a split air conditioning system

So how to install an air conditioner at home yourself? What is needed for this? What steps and rules must be followed?

Air conditioner installation tools and materials

To install an air conditioner in an apartment with your own hands, you must have all the tools listed in the table.

Other types of split systems require a different set of tools and materials.

Air conditioner installation rules

When installing an air conditioner at home, the following rules should be observed:

• take into account the strength of the walls and the permissible noise at night (up to 32 dB) when fixing the outdoor module;
• provide for maximum protection of the external unit from direct sunlight;
• remember that there must be at least 10 cm from the wall to the block - this is necessary for air exchange between the heat exchanger and the environment;
• service valves must be freely accessible;
• take into account the permitted length of the freon line between the two blocks;
• do not allow multiple bends of the copper pipe in order to avoid losses of freon;
• remember the correct placement of the indoor module in a particular room;
• it is advisable to carry out all work on the installation of the air conditioner independently during the repair;
• communications are hidden in a gate or a plastic box;
• be sure to insulate copper tubes with freon.

Before installation, you should read the instructions that come with a specific model of the split system.

Air conditioner installation stages

What are the steps to follow when installing an air conditioner in an apartment with your own hands?

If work is carried out during the repair, then the tubes are first laid, and their ends are reliably sealed from debris and dust. Blocks can be thrown on and connected after repair.

The process looks a little different when installing an air conditioner in an apartment on your own after finishing the finishing work:

• In the place chosen for installation, using a perforator with a drill, make a hole for communications between the blocks (route, interconnect cable) and a drain hose;
• Mount brackets for the outdoor unit, making a preliminary marking with a building level. Be sure to take into account the length of the route, as well as the location of the window sill and openings for communications. Fix the structure with large dowels or anchor bolts;
• Next, install the indoor module, after fixing the mounting plate on the wall, which comes complete with the split system. For accuracy, you can use the water level;
• Now they make grooves for communications using a chasing cutter with a diamond disc. You do not have to spoil the walls, but lay the electric wires and copper pipe in a plastic box;
• Carefully cut the copper pipe to the desired length. Before you connect the blocks with it, you need to trim it, chamfer and flare it. Now, with the help of connecting fittings, the two copper pipes are connected and led out into the hole in the wall to the outside to the street block. They must be thermally insulated along the entire length by wrapping the joints with hydro tape;
• Lay electrical wires, measuring the desired length, cleaning and connecting to the terminal block. A drainage hose is drawn into the same hole;
• Next, the system is evacuated using a manometric station or a vacuum pump, and then the tightness of the circuit is checked with a leak detector;
• Open the taps on the outdoor unit and let the freon into the circuit by closing the protective covers. Do not forget about the casing;
• They check the performance of the split system by setting the testing program.

Can I install the air conditioner myself? As you can see, yes, it is possible, but difficulties arise with the acquisition of all the necessary tools and materials. This will cost much more than a branded installation.

The way out is that some companies rent tools. Materials are not that expensive and are sold in many hardware stores.

Installation of air conditioners in winter

The question of how to install the air conditioner yourself has been resolved. But in most cases, problems do not arise when working in the warm season. If it is necessary to install a split system during a cold period, do you need to follow any precautions? Can an air conditioner be installed in winter?

During winter installation, there is a risk of condensation in the pipeline, and at subzero temperatures it freezes.

Difficulties also appear with the normal vacuuming of the refrigeration circuit. In the best case, it takes twice as long.

If the equipment is equipped with a modern system of control sensors and self-diagnostics, then it will be impossible to start the air conditioner to view the results. The protection will work and the compressor will not turn on at all. A split system may be easier to start, but this is fraught with consequences. Usually professional installers take a receipt from the customer that he has no complaints in the event of a breakdown.

This has nothing to do with the technical side, but it is very unpleasant to mount a split system in frost, and not everyone is able to withstand the cold for a long time. Gloves do not always save, and it is not very convenient to work in them.

For these reasons, the installation of an air conditioner in winter becomes problematic, although it is quite possible from the point of view of technical performance.

For a more comprehensive idea of ​​how to install the air conditioner yourself, it is suggested to watch the video below.