How to choose an air conditioner for a house, apartment: types, brands, recommendations for choosing

The popularity of the air conditioner, especially in hot regions, has reached its highest point in the last ten years and does not lower the bar. Previously, only people with above-average incomes could afford climate control equipment.

Today, household air conditioning is the same indispensable element of an apartment or a private house as a refrigerator or a washing machine. In the Northern regions, the popularity of the air conditioner is slightly less, however, even there it is always in place due to the possibility of working for heating in the off-season, when the heating has not yet been turned on.

At the same time, a lot of myths and frankly false information have developed around air conditioners, caused by increased competition between companies that sell climate equipment. Therefore, before you make a choice, you should arm yourself with the right information.

Types of air conditioners

The technique that provides the room with coolness in hot weather and warmth in chilly weather operates according to the same principle, using the physical properties of the refrigerant - freon, which is able to change the ambient temperature as a result of evaporation and condensation.

However, the device, shape, appearance and other features make it possible to distinguish several types of air conditioners, each of which is designed for use in certain conditions.

window

Historically, these were the very first types of air conditioners, they also received the first significant distribution in our country. The window conditioner is mounted by the principle of a monoblock in one case. It is inserted into one of the window sections so that a tight abutment contour is provided. During operation, cold or heat is removed from the external grille to the street, and air of the required temperature is blown from the internal one.

Window air conditioners are attractive in that they represent one item, as well as not very high price. In all other respects, they lose to competitors in terms of convenience, because today rarely anyone will change double-glazed windows in order to install a bulky unit.

The use of window air conditioners today is justified for summer cottages, warehouses, garages and other premises where it is possible to easily install a “window box”.

Split systems

This name was given to air conditioners in which the compressor and heat exchanger-condenser are located in the external unit (mounted outside the room), and the heat exchanger-evaporator is in the internal one. Together they are connected by cable and a special route - a pair of copper tubes through which freon circulates.

The design of split systems made it possible to get rid of two serious drawbacks of monoblock air conditioners - increased noise (after all, the main noise is emitted by the outdoor unit, and it hangs outside the window) and the need for a large opening in a window or wall (three or four holes are enough for the route and cable centimeters).

Mobile

There are times when you can regret that the air conditioner is not a kettle, not a fan and not a microwave, you cannot take it with you and put it in another place without dismantling. For those who experience such feelings, have been devised mobile air conditioners. Outwardly, they look like a small vertical box.

Communication with the external environment is implemented using a special flexible pipe of circular cross section. With its moderate power, a mobile air conditioner is good for everyone, except that the outlet pipe needs to be mounted somehow.

ducted

Quite a rare solution for houses and apartments. The matter is that the internal block of the channel conditioner is intended only for the hidden installation. It is placed so that it opens into ventilation ducts that open into the interior and are covered with decorative grilles.

Installing a duct air conditioner requires the creation of a well-thought-out system of ventilation ducts at the stage of designing a room.

What to look for when choosing

In 99% of cases, when buying an air conditioner in a room or apartment, we will talk about a classic split system. The characteristics and features of the functioning of these devices are well studied, take note of the most significant differences.

Power

When they talk about air conditioners, the designations constantly flash: “seven”, “nine”, “dvenashka”. This is the BTU parameter, a unit of heat measurement originally from the British Isles, traditionally it denotes the amount of heat energy that an air conditioner is capable of delivering.

Since the value is not used anywhere else, the only way to interpret it is to remember the correspondence of the area for which the split system is designed:

• 7 BTU - up to 21 sq. m;
• 9 BTU - up to 26 sq. m;
• 12 BTU - up to 35 sq. m;
• 18 BTU - up to 50 sq. m;
• 24 BTU - up to 70 sq. m.

It should be noted that this interpretation is very conditional, because for a given area, the height of the ceilings is unknown. Therefore, even a small hall with a second light requires a significant power split.

In addition to foreign BTUs, there is a more understandable figure - kilowatts. In this case, it is worth distinguishing between the output and consumption of power. From the second, it’s more or less clear: how much the air conditioner takes “from the outlet”. For a standard “seven”, this parameter ranges from 900 to 1300 watts.

Compressor and geography of production

This device is the heart of the air conditioner, which ensures the operation of all systems. Therefore, if it is of high quality, the device will work for a long time and will not fail.

In most household splits, you can find compressors of the following brands:

• Toshiba;
• GMCC;
• Gree.

In cheaper split systems, the compressors are not marked at all, but this is not too important. The fact is that the production of climate technology is a specific matter.This is done in several huge factories, and they are all located in China.

Each of them collects several trade names of split systems. Therefore, two different splits may well turn out to be “relatives”, and their “Toshibian” compressors are 100% Chinese. Today it does not mean - bad.

True, there are devices that are not assembled in China - such, for example, are the older models of Daikin or Mitsubishi Electric. But the "price tag" on them is also completely different.

inverter?

Only the lazy have not heard of inverter air conditioners. Their motors run on direct current, can run at different speeds and smoothly change power.

Unlike jump start-off by thermostat command in a conventional split, the inverter can "drive" at low speeds, saving electricity and maintaining the temperature at an unstable level. All these pluses are really present, but the degree of benefit from them is still pretty exaggerated for marketing purposes.

Capabilities

Important advice

Air conditioning is a necessary technique, but not cheap. Many people want to save money on buying split systems, but these intentions are not always justified.

We are talking about creating a climate in an apartment or house with several rooms. It turns out that air conditioning is needed in the bedroom for good sleep, in the common room - because all family members spend time there, in the kitchen - so as not to "burn out" while cooking and eating.

However, putting a split in every room is an expensive pleasure. Among the tricks that people go for, in the first place is the placement of an air conditioner in a large room or in a corridor, from where, according to the owners, the coolness will spread throughout the home.

In practice, this entails one thing: the room where the device is hanging is too cold, and the other rooms are too hot. This idea does not take into account the real picture of air circulation in the apartment. Without the presence of special devices, it is not enough to provide the same microclimate.

In addition to installing several separate split systems, the owners have another option - arranging ventilation ducts, and then installing a high-power duct air conditioner. Together with a fan system, this could provide the entire dwelling with air at the right temperature.

The best manufacturers of split systems

name in ranking specific models would not be entirely justified - there are a huge number of them, many of them are of the same type and contain a minimum of differences. In addition, most people choose climate equipment not by characteristics, but by brand.

Centek, Rovex, Ballu and others

All these brands in the last few years have firmly occupied the niche of budgetary split systems. Their production is not independent, but as part of an agreement with manufacturers. However, performance is quite good.

Question answer

Choose a split system wisely, guided by a good brand reputation, functionality and price attractiveness of the product.

Video tips on how to choose an air conditioner