Air conditioning systems are widely used today in apartments, houses, offices and factories. Their purpose is to create a comfortable cool temperature in hot weather, cooling the air masses.
Back in the middle of the last century, air conditioners were found only in offices and offices of large successful companies. Now they are becoming a reality in the apartments of middle-income families.
Appeared split systems - devices that perform the same functions, but look smaller and more attractive in rooms. In fact, they are also air conditioners, but there are still certain differences between them.
Content
- The principle of operation of standard air conditioners and split systems
- The difference between air conditioning and split system
- Condensate drain
- Availability of additional features
- Design Features
- Several other important differences
- Specifics of climatic equipment of different designs
- What to choose
- Questions and answers
- Video tips for choosing an air conditioner
The principle of operation of standard air conditioners and split systems
In summer, indoors, especially on the sunny side, the air in the rooms can become very hot. It becomes stuffy and uncomfortable, it becomes necessary to lower the temperature and provide access to fresh cool air.
In former times, it was limited to opening vents or windows, then industrial and domestic fans appeared, but these measures could not fully ensure comfort in the room. In addition, constantly running fans created a highly directed movement of air masses, which often simply interfered with work and rest.
Air conditioners cool indoor air much more silently and have more power than domestic fans. The system is based on a closed cycle. The device has two blocks - external and internal. The scheme of work is based on the use of a refrigerant, in the vast majority of cases it is freon.
The process goes like this:
- the compressor, which is located in the outdoor unit, compresses the cold agent to a gas state and sends it to the condenser;
- in the heat exchanger, freon is cooled, exchanging with outside air, and passes into a liquid state;
- in cold form, freon is already sent to the indoor unit through a throttling device, where it is already exchanged with the air in the room and boils;
- the air, in turn, is cooled and sent into the room;
- during the operation of the air conditioner, natural condensate forms on the evaporator in the form of moisture, as a rule, it is discharged outside through a special tube.
Such air conditioners regularly perform their function to this day, but have a number of disadvantages. To install them, it is necessary to dismantle part of the window, since the outer side of the unit is brought out to drain condensate and contact the refrigerant with atmospheric air. Because of this, the illumination of the room decreases, since the area of \u200b\u200bthe window becomes smaller.
Plus, the capacitor is quite noisy, which is not very comfortable. And the flow of directed cold air from the side of the window often leads to colds if you sit close.
Over time, air conditioners in the form of monoblocks began to be mounted not only in the window. Appeared wall models, products adapted for the floor and even the ceiling, mobile options. Wet condensate is discharged into special trays, which must be periodically emptied of accumulated liquid.
Another fundamentally new decision was made: to separate the external and internal blocks by moving the first one to the outer wall of the building outside the premises. This is how split systems came about.
The difference between air conditioning and split system
The main structural difference has already been said. There are some other nuances.
Condensate drain
Since the external unit of the split system is located outside the building, condensate removal is not difficult: for this, a special drainage tube is provided in the design.
From mobile monoblock air conditioners that are indoors, the liquid must be drained regularly. It becomes a permanent additional duty.
Availability of additional features
In split systems, related functions have also been developed:
the air is ionized and gets rid of extraneous odors;- there are models with a mode of enrichment of air masses with oxygen;
- some of them allow you to regulate the flow of air into the room;
- in modern products, a sleep mode may be provided;
- some models contain motion sensors and other functionalities.
Some split systems are able not only to cool, but also to heat the air in the cold season. Monoblock air conditioners, as a rule, do not have a large set of additional features.
Design Features
Split systems outwardly look more attractive, buyers have the opportunity to choose the color and shape of various models. In addition, the indoor unit in a separate form is more compact.
Window air conditioner decorates the window itself a little, and the mobile monoblock in the room takes up a lot of space.
Several other important differences
Each climate control system has its own advantages and disadvantages:
- noise is generated during compressor operation - since in split systems it is located in the outdoor unit, it does not cause much concern, unlike a monoblock;
- the power of a split system can be increased without any problems by increasing its size, since the main unit is located outside the room, and the classic monoblock air conditioner, if made wider or higher, will inevitably clutter up the room;
- the cost of split systems is higher, as well as installation.
The service life of both products depends more on the manufacturer of the equipment than on its type. In this, both climate systems are similar.
Specifics of climatic equipment of different designs
Split systems have several vulnerabilities: for example, the outdoor unit. It will inevitably be exposed to rain, snow, temperature changes and gusts of wind. Monoblocks don't have this problem. True, high-quality manufacturers of split systems try to take into account climatic factors.
Traditional two-in-one air conditioners are assembled at the factory, so that the reliability of their operation does not depend on the human factor.
What to choose
Much depends on the conditions in which it is supposed to use climate technology. The price of the product is also important. It is easier and cheaper to purchase good old window designs. Yes, the room will become a little darker, but the operation of such models is not particularly difficult.
Mobile floor air conditioners can be useful for temporary spaces: dorm rooms, summer cottages, home workshops or garages. Only they can help out when renting an apartment, since they do not require dismantling.
Split systems are almost universal, they can be installed almost anywhere. The only limitation is the cost plus the cost of high-quality installation.
Questions and answers
Split systems will require more expenses, including installation, but they are much more versatile.
A traditional air conditioner consists of two blocks in one design; in split systems, these blocks are separated. The outdoor unit is located on the outer wall of the building.
From electricity. If there is no power supply in the room, air conditioners of any kind will not be able to work.
Definitely an air conditioner. In a split system, the main unit does not work indoors, but outside.
Internal conditioners-monoblocks for rooms. They are perfect for temporary placement in the garage or in the country.
Some, however, believe that split systems will conquer the entire market in the future.But still, they will not become easy to install and mobile very soon, if at all.
Video tips for choosing an air conditioner
