In cold or hot temperatures, a person's well-being worsens. Fatigue, apathy appear, bronchial asthma or heart failure are more pronounced. Scientists have proven that at temperatures below -12 ° C and above + 24 ° C, a person begins to experience discomfort. Decreased efficiency and general well-being. The purpose of the air conditioner is to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room. The choice of the device depends on its functionality, service life and reliability.
Air conditioner functions
The conditioner is needed to maintain the temperature balance. Another important function is air purification. When the window is open, dust, exhaust fumes and emissions from factories enter the room. The comfort level reduces the noise coming from outside.
The air conditioner purchased for a high price does not make noise. Less expensive options make sounds, but they are still lower than the noise of the street.
Expensive brands have additional features:
- air humidification;
- ionization;
- drainage;
- silent setting for work at night;
- enhanced blowing;
- timer - will shutdown the system at the specified time;
- swing - even distribution of air throughout the apartment;
- self-diagnosis.
Pros and cons
Air conditioning has been proven to make the air drier. Depending on the situation, this can be both positive and negative.
An increase in dry air will be a plus for rooms in which high humidity is initially observed. Dampness leads to the formation of mold and mildew. Therefore, drying with an air conditioner has a positive effect on the microclimate.
The negative effect affects the furniture, especially if it is wooden. Household appliances deteriorate faster.
Expensive models humidify the air, which saves the day in rooms that initially have a dry microclimate.
Common cons that users are complaining about:
- if the filter is not cleaned in time, all the microbes accumulated in it will enter the room;
- frequent occurrence of colds or allergies in people;
- an air conditioner that does not have the function of mixing air reduces the oxygen level in the room.
It is important to understand that in most cases air conditioning is harmful through the fault of the consumer. A properly cleaned filter will not introduce dust and germs into the room.
The passport of each device indicates a different frequency of filter replacement and cleaning - it depends on the brand of the air conditioner and the quality of the filtration system. In any case, cleaning is carried out at least 2 times a year. When the design of the air conditioner permits, it should be cleaned at least once a month.
A cold occurs if a person, having come from a heat, turns on the air conditioner and sharply lowers the temperature around him. A sudden drop of more than 8 degrees leads to sore throat and other colds. It is not recommended to be under the flow of air during air conditioning.
The air conditioner can either only cool the room, or also warm it up. Models with dual capabilities are more expensive, but the consumer does not have to purchase a heater separately.
Types of air conditioners
There are various models of air conditioners on the market, differing in installation methods and available functions. According to the principle of operation, two types of devices are distinguished:
- The inverter air conditioner inverts the alternating current into direct current, and then the system produces the current of the required frequency, increasing or decreasing the motor speed.
- The non-inverter type device regulates the temperature by alternately turning the compressor on and off. This system is cheaper, but also more difficult to set up.
An example wall type are split systems and multisystems. The noisy main part is attached to the outside of the building, while the inside remains in the room. She is responsible for supplying air and cooling / heating it before entering the room. It also has filters installed.
A multisystem differs from a split system in the ability to connect several air conditioners to one outdoor unit at once.
Minus: in the event of a breakdown, all existing devices will simultaneously fail.
Scope of application: offices, apartments.
Window air conditioner installed in the window opening: one part outside, the other inside. Consumers like it due to its low price and ease of installation, but older models make a lot of noise. Modern devices are free from this problem.
Recommended for residential installations.
Air conditioners floor type are made in the form of a monoblock. It is easy to install the device and move it between rooms. Suitable for home and summer cottages.
The disadvantages are the high cost and loud noise during operation.
In industrial and office buildings, they often use channel type air conditioners. They are attached to the ceiling, channels depart from them, through which fresh and clean air enters several rooms at once.
Cassette type differs from the channel channel with increased power and the ability to serve a larger number of premises.
Column air conditioner designed for sales areas, restaurants, warehouses. Due to its large dimensions, it is installed exclusively on the floor. Convenient in that you do not have to specially prepare the room for installation.
Multizone VRV and VRF systems used in large enterprises where precise temperature control is required. The appearance fades into the background, the main thing is the usefulness of the device.
Maintenance of climatic devices
In the event of a breakdown, you should contact the service, and not repair it yourself. With a guarantee, the client will receive service free of charge. There are almost no warranty periods on the market for more than three years, sometimes five years.
When the guarantee is over, you have to pay a considerable amount.
Approximate prices for service in Moscow:
| Name of service | Minimum price (in rubles) |
| Cleaning the filters | 150 |
| Cleaning the drainage system | 500 |
| Refueling of air conditioners with refrigerant up to 3.5 kW (with freon) | 1300 |
| Cleaning the evaporator of the indoor unit with an antibacterial agent | 1500 |
| Compressor replacement from 3.5 kW to 7 kW | 6500 |
Home air conditioner cost
An air conditioner is a convenient device for controlling temperature, but the prices for this pleasure are considerable. The acquisition cost depends on several factors.
Over many years of experience of use and thanks to customer reviews, it turned out that it is best to choose a system with a power of 2.5-2.8 kW. With a standard room size in apartments of 12-18 m2, the air conditioner of the presented capacity will allow you to completely refresh or heat the room.
Prices are changing, so the price list for 2017 will be analyzed. A split system is presented for consideration, as most consumers consider it to be the best choice.
Luxury class - the best air conditioners that combine reliability, quality and quiet operation. They are manufactured by Toshiba, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi and Daikin. They cost about 35,000 rubles.
There is a huge selection of models in the middle category, as this price range has the largest number of purchases. The average cost is 24,000 rubles. Technical characteristics are inferior to luxury, but they are enough to perform the basic functions of the air conditioner.
The low price category is almost not inferior in quality, but has fewer technical devices and functions. However, the air conditioner will fulfill its main task - airing or heating the room. The approximate price is 15,000 rubles.
The next item of expenses after purchase is installation. The standard procedure costs about 7,000 rubles in the central regions of Russia. Increased difficulty equals increased cost. The difficulty of installation is influenced by:
- work with complex facades (siding, etc.);
- chipping walls;
- drilling additional holes;
- attraction of climbers and special equipment.
It is recommended to install the air conditioner before the summer heat. Many companies, taking advantage of the desire of people to quickly install the system due to unbearable weather, overcharge rates. Clients who are exhausted from the heat are ready to overpay for comfort.
Equipment service life
The operating time of the air conditioner depends on the correct installation and settings. If everything was done efficiently, it can serve for a very long time. There are no exact numbers, since if, for example, a compressor breaks down, it can be replaced. You don't have to purchase a new device.
The service life also depends on the frequency of the air conditioner. If it is installed in a server room, where computer devices have to work non-stop to cool down, it will break down faster. A home air conditioner that runs 3-4 months a year will last much longer.
Based on the cost of the device and reviews, we can roughly highlight the service life depending on the price category:
- from 35,000 - 20 and more years;
- 23,000 - 34,000 - 15-20 years old;
- Up to 21,000 - 10-15 years.
Correct installation is the key to long-term work, and therefore it is recommended not to save money using the installation services in dubious companies.
