A mini-air conditioner in summer is an affordable solution with a limited budget or the inability to install a conventional split system at home - a rented apartment, where the owners do not allow making holes in the wall for communications. The obstacle is the old wiring in the house, which can hardly withstand the most necessary electrical appliances, not to mention the powerful air conditioner. To avoid a fire, you must first carry out repairs and replace the electrical wiring, and then acquire stationary wall devices.
Benefits of small air conditioners
Compact climate systems have a number of advantages. They can be selected according to the type of construction - window, desktop, floor. The power is lower than that of wall-mounted household air conditioners, but still there is less risk of getting sick, since the airflow is not so intense.
Positive aspects of mini-systems:
- Does not require installation. In the summer, queues are formed at the brigades that install stationary models. A compact air conditioner can be connected independently and not wait for the arrival of the masters.
- Safety - the device is made of environmentally friendly materials, and a coolant circulates in the circuit, which does not affect health and well-being.
- Reliability. Depends on the price of the device, but if you wish, you can purchase a high-quality device and use it for a long time.
- In the summer, you can take the air conditioner to the dacha, and in the fall, transport it to the apartment and use it for heating, because mini systems, unlike wall split systems, are allowed to be turned on at subzero temperatures. The models do not have an external unit - all the air conditioner is in the room.
- A wide range of units: they are selected according to their functions - basic and additional, noise level, power, type of construction and control, design qualities.
- The size is selected depending on the area of the room, but can be transferred or transported from one room to another.
- Some models work both from an outlet and from a battery, which allows you to take them with you to the car, to nature.
There are also disadvantages, but they depend more on the configuration of a particular model:
- makes a loud noise;
- short corrugation for opening out the window;
- the short power cord is missing the outlet;
- no wheels for movement on the floor - for floor models;
- low-power.
In order for the device to meet the needs, it must be correctly selected in terms of technical indicators and type of construction.
Varieties of compact climatic devices
Depending on the installation options, choose:
- Window models in which half of the device is outdoors and half indoors. Such air conditioners are installed in a window or a specially made opening in the wall according to the dimensions of the device to ensure tightness.
- Outdoor. Made in the form of a monoblock. There is a corrugation for removing warm air to the street, it is moved from room to room using wheels.
- Tabletop. Smallest devices. The dimensions of the air conditioner are from 25 - 30 cm in width and depth.
There are flat mini-models that take up little space, but work with high performance - up to 1.5 kW, which is comparable to low-power wall-mounted split systems. The narrow air conditioner can be hung on the wall.
The smallest device invented in the United States for prisoners whose lives were valuable to the justice system. They were inserted into the window opening and created comfortable conditions in a cell with an area of 10 square meters. m.Dimensions of the device - 18x18x30 cm.
The new air conditioners for small rooms have the following set of functions:
- three-stage fan;
- turn-on timers;
- regulation of cold air flows;
- the possibility of remote control;
- the possibility of ventilation;
- dehumidification function;
- heating and cooling;
- air purification using a filter system.
The main manufacturers of miniature models are the USA, South Korea, Japan, and Russia.
Window mini air conditioners
By the type of construction, it is a monoblock, one part of which is located inside the room. When installed in a window opening, it makes a lot of noise, because during operation the glass begins to vibrate. Larger devices restrict light from entering the room. If there are plastic windows in the house, then it will not work to install such a mini device in the window - you need to break through the wall.
From the positive aspects of the work:
- ease of maintenance, since it is easier to reach the device in the window than to the external block of the split system located on the wall of the house;
- performs two functions simultaneously - cooling and heating, turns on at any time of the year, even at subzero temperatures;
- with a high degree of cooling, it consumes little electricity, especially a class A air conditioner.
The price of the device will depend on its power and set of functions, as well as on the manufacturer's brand. With a limited budget, you will have to buy a Chinese air conditioner, the service life of which is difficult to predict, since only manufacturers know the service life of internal parts.
Mobile air conditioner
If noise during operation is an important indicator, then such a model should not be chosen, since a mobile air conditioner for a small room will work loudly. The noisiest part - the compressor - is in the room, and the device itself is made in the form of a monoblock.
For effective cooling, it is necessary to provide for an outlet in the wall or window for corrugation. Many, buying a mobile mini system, simply open the window and throw the corrugated hose outside, but with this approach, warm air enters the room and reduces the efficiency of the air conditioner.
In modern models of indoor mobile devices, condensate is discharged outside in the form of steam. This is a handy novelty, since in older models it was necessary to periodically pour out the accumulated liquid by hand.
Split system
Compact split systems with a small internal block are distinguished into a separate category. The external unit is mounted outdoors, the internal unit is installed in the room. Operation in rooms of 20-30 m2 is possible. Generally, the smaller the case, the lower the power. The range of functions is the same as for conventional installations. Producing countries: Japan, Switzerland, China, Korea.
How to make a mini air conditioner with your own hands
A mini device made by yourself is worth a penny. Components are bought in any supermarket, and the benefits and energy savings are significant. Mini air conditioner is adapted for cars - they work from the cigarette lighter and do a good job with the task: to cool the car interior.
What is needed for the production of a small size "handicraft" mini air conditioner:
- 2 plastic coolers - you can use computer ones;
- plastic container with a volume of 6 - 8 liters;
- air exhaust pipes - you can use it from the plumbing department, but not straight, but bent at a right or obtuse angle - you will need 2 pieces;
- 12 W power supply;
- plastic containers 0.5 l each 3 - 4 pcs.
Tools for the job:
- glue - silicone and "Moment";
- knife;
- insulating tape.
Stages of work:
- Connect the coolers to the power supply. If done correctly, when plugged into an outlet, they will start spinning.
- Cut a hole with a knife in the lid of the plastic container to fit the cooler, fix with small screws and seal with silicone glue so that air does not escape. If 2 fans are used, one is superimposed on the other and fixed with screws. It is easier to install a powerful audite, the cooling will be stronger.
- A hole is made on the side of the plastic container for a branch pipe. One end of the tube is inserted into the hole and secured with a sealant. The other end goes up.
- The second pipe is pushed onto the first, without fixing it with glue, in order to be able to direct the air flow in the desired direction. Put on the cover with the coolers, plug it in and check if air is coming out and there are no leaks. If there is, fill it with silicone.
- Freeze half a liter of ice in plastic blanks, take them out of the freezer and put them in a plastic container. You can include a mini model.
The ice melts in about an hour and a half, so the workpieces need to be changed periodically. But it will take little time and money to create an air conditioner. If you do not change the ice, the air will be less cold - you get something like a fan. Making a more complex home invention model will take more time and knowledge.
