Characteristics of household air conditioners. Household air conditioners: types, characteristics, ratings

Today we'll talk about what technical characteristics an air conditioner can have. A small number of users understand these indicators, and not many know what to look for when.

Probably the most important technical characteristic of an air conditioner is cooling capacity(or ). The value of this indicator determines what area of ​​the room the air conditioner is able to cool in its "normal" mode. A "normal" mode is one in which the compressor of the unit is operating without a constant maximum load. If, for example, on an area of ​​30 sq. put a "seven" (designed for 20 square meters), then it will be able to maintain the desired temperature more likely, but at the same time the compressor will operate in a constant maximum mode, which ultimately can lead to a significant reduction in its service life.

Cooling capacity is most often expressed in kW. 1 kW of refrigerating capacity of the air conditioner is capable of providing 10 sq. M. area of ​​a room with a standard height to the ceiling (2.5-3 m.)

The next technical specification is heating power... The value of this indicator is usually slightly higher than the refrigeration capacity. Heating power is also measured in kW and reflects the amount of energy that the air conditioner is able to provide, but only when operating in "heating" mode.

Split system power consumption

Power consumption- a characteristic that is often confused with previous indicators even by experts in this field. They are confused, most likely, because it is also expressed in kW and, moreover, can still have several indicators (maximum, minimum, nominal). This characteristic shows how much electricity the air conditioner consumes to carry out its function (cooling or heating).

Energy efficiency- an indicator that depends on the above characteristics, and reflects the efficiency (efficiency) of the split system from an energy point of view. This indicator is expressed by a coefficient, which is defined as the ratio of the produced power (cooling or heating) to the consumed power (when cooling or heating).

Let's say we know that an air conditioner with a cooling capacity of 2.2 kW consumes 0.6 kW of electricity when cooling a room. The energy efficiency factor of its operation for cooling will be 3.67.

In modern standards, it is customary to distribute the energy efficiency of electrical appliances into classes. Each class corresponds to certain values ​​of this indicator. In our example, the coefficient 3.67 corresponds to the European class "A" (that is, to the most economical devices).

Another important characteristic of the air conditioner is sound pressure value(or noisy) indoor and outdoor units. This characteristic is expressed in dB. The higher the value of this indicator, the noisier the device works, therefore, the less comfortable the user (and neighbors).

The sound pressure of indoor units is different at different shaft speeds. For example, for "sevens" at low speed in modern air conditioners, this figure is somewhere in the range of 24-32 dB. In some split systems, this figure reaches 19 dB. At high shaft speed, the noise level of most indoor units is about 36-42 dB.

For “on / off” air conditioners, the noise level of the outdoor unit is approximately in the range of 45-55 dB (for “sevens”). In operating mode, such devices sound pressure is at the same value.

The performance of any inverter air conditioner changes during its operation, so the noise level of the outdoor unit also changes. For such air conditioners, only the maximum value of this indicator is usually indicated - about 50 dB.

Another characteristic that the user should pay attention to is permissible operating temperature outside air. It shows at what outdoor temperature the safe (from a technical point of view) operation of the air conditioner is permissible. It is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure high reliability and durability of the device.

Air conditioner specifications that are less important to the user

A less important characteristic for the user is air flow. It indicates how much air is able to "pass" through the indoor unit in a certain amount of time.

There are other additional characteristics that are relevant to the design and installation process. They are practically of no interest to the user. These are the following characteristics:

  • and the weight of the blocks;
  • tube diameters;
  • maximum and minimum length of pipelines;
  • maximum height difference;
  • type of refrigerant;
  • cross-section of power and interconnect cable;
  • and etc.

To summarize: In order to choose an air conditioner, it is necessary to take into account the most important technical characteristics, which are cooling capacity, power consumption, energy efficiency and noise level.

    Compressor type, distinguish between inverter and non-inverter;

    The indicator of the noise level, depending on the model of the device, this value is 19-48 dB;

    Energy efficiency class;

    Location indoor unit unit: floor or wall;

    Refrigerant type: R410A, R22, R410.

The above characteristics have a direct impact on the efficiency of the air conditioning unit, which is an indicator of the advisability of buying this climate technology.

    Unit cooling capacity

Perhaps the main purpose of any air conditioner is to reduce the temperature of the air flow. That is why, in the process of choosing a unit, first of all, you should pay attention to the cooling capacity.

The required performance of the apparatus will depend on the number of people in the room, the size of the building, and the height of the ceiling.

Remember, if the building has a large number of windows facing south, or the glazing occupies a significant area, the cooling capacity must be increased by 20%.

The energy consumption of the device, which operates from the mains, is 1/3 of the intensity of cooling / heating of the air flow. In such conditions, the efficiency of the air conditioner reaches 300%, namely, for the product of 3 kW of heat / cold, the electricity consumption is equal to 1 kW.

Remember, during operation, the device consumes energy only to move air from one environment to another, for example, from the street to a building, excluding the costs of cooling / heating it.

Given this fact, an air conditioner with a capacity of 2kW uses up to 700W of electricity. At the same time, the energy consumption for the operation of the split system is much lower than that for the operation of an electric kettle or iron.

There is an opinion that by purchasing climate equipment of lower power, you can significantly reduce the cost of electricity, as well as the costs of the family budget, but this is not entirely true. Due to the incorrect selection of equipment for the area of ​​the room, the device will consume additional electricity to cool the space, which contributes to the rapid wear of the component parts of the mechanism. In addition, in a particularly hot period, for the production of coolness, the unit will operate only at maximum speed, increasing the load on the components and creating a significant level of noise. As a result, climate technology will quickly become unusable.

In the case of purchasing an air conditioner with a large capacity, the unit will produce a strong flow of cold air, increasing the risk of developing colds at the household. Also, due to the rapid injection of gas to the set temperature regime, the interval between the compressor on-off processes will be insignificant, which is the reason for the breakdown of the air conditioning equipment.

    The ability to operate the unit for heating

Currently, in addition to climatic technology aimed at cooling the air, a wide range of devices are on sale that are also capable of heating it. As a rule, the cost of such devices is 15% higher, while in the cold season they are able to replace the heater.

During operation, a "warm" air conditioner consumes four times less electricity than it produces heat.

The principle of operation of such a unit is based on heating the air flow by pumping it from the street to the apartment. Considering this fact, the modes of cooling or heating are two opposite processes, in which the reactions proceed with an accuracy “to” the other way around, while there is a conditional change in the places of the indoor and outdoor units of the unit.

Remember, air conditioners equipped with a heat pump can only function in positive ambient temperatures. At the same time, to heat the room in winter period preference should be given to inverter installations.

    Air conditioner noise level

During the operation of the air conditioner, the noise level of the outdoor unit, depending on the model, is 39-53 dB, and that of the indoor unit is 22-35 dB.

That is why, when choosing a unit, it is important to pay special attention to the volume of its operation, since the design that is optimal for equipping an office space may not be suitable for installation in a quiet room (for example, a bedroom, a private office).

Remember, the noise level of air conditioners with identical different manufacturers may differ significantly.

Consider the main causes of this phenomenon.

    The use of various techniques for measuring noise during the manufacture of the apparatus. As a result, the results obtained for different manufacturing companies have some discrepancies.

    Mode of operation. Taking into account the fact that the main source of noise in the indoor unit of the air conditioning unit is the air flow passing through the distribution louvers-fan-radiator, unscrupulous manufacturers measure the volume level of the sounds produced at the minimum fan speed.

Remember, the volume of the humming of the air conditioner depends on the selected operating mode of the unit. That is why, before buying a device, you should study its technical characteristics in detail. The description of the air conditioner must indicate two values ​​of the noise level - minimum and maximum.

    The appearance of extraneous sounds: crackling, clicks, hissing, gurgling.

As a rule, the crackle emitted from the air conditioner occurs as a result of expansion / contraction of parts of the plastic housing due to a change in its temperature.

A hissing or gurgling sound often occurs when the compressor is turned on / off. In this case, clicks are formed as a result of relay switching. Perhaps, the person feels the greatest discomfort due to the crackling of the case. In order to minimize the likelihood of this sound, you should purchase an air conditioner from a well-known manufacturer, the indoor unit of which is made of high-quality plastic.

Currently, the most popular companies that produce split systems are Mitsubishi, Gree, LG, Samsung, Haier, AEG, Daikin.

Remember, the lowest noise level is emitted by an inverter device, in which there are no sudden changes in temperature.

Additional functionalities of the device

When choosing a unit, you should pay attention to the presence of the following functions:

  • - air flow control;
  • - self-diagnostics;
  • - autorestart;
  • - protection system against misuse or exposure to adverse external factors;
  • - elimination of unpleasant odors;
  • - the presence of a timer, night mode.

These characteristics for air conditioners are not mandatory or characteristic, however, most manufacturers equip their products with some of them, since they increase the ease of use of climatic equipment.

Introduction of new technological solutions in household equipment often runs counter to practical feasibility. An example of climatic technology is most indicative in this sense. So, in recent times the market is actively filling which are intended for indoor use. The features of such systems include the complete exclusion of dirty installation operations, which attracts a large audience of consumers. But with all the convenience of installation and further maintenance, such models are not able to approach the performance characteristics that are provided by an external air conditioner unit as part of a split system. Another thing is that the owners of outdoor installations have to deal with troublesome tasks, but of a different kind.

What is an external unit?

The outdoor segment, which is part of the split-system complex, includes a condenser, valve couplings, pipes, filter driers and a fan. Depending on the modification and design, the internal "filling" may change, but a traditional set of an air conditioner with a remote block has just such a set of elements. By the way, the most noticeable differences are observed in the so-called winter systems, which provide for the presence of special controllers to control the fan. Modern air conditioners also use multifunctional power switching relays. Such devices are designed for non-standard compressor operation in conditions of high or low temperatures. Unlike the indoor segment, the outdoor unit does not have electronic modules - its operation is completely subordinated to the mechanical function.

Block dimensions

The outdoor unit is available on the market in various configurations and shapes. And although manufacturers, in order to simplify segmentation, are trying to unify model lines, the choice of standard sizes is still quite wide. If we talk about average parameters, it is 770 mm wide, 450 mm high and 245 mm thick. At the same time, the fan radius on average varies from 200 to 250 mm. Of course, there are also aggregates whose dimensions deviate from these indicators. So, in the Mitsubishi lineup, an almost square external air conditioner unit is presented, which is 880 mm in width and 840 mm in height. As for the parameters of the inner segment, they are not so impressive. Usually these are long narrow modules of medium size - 700 x 200 x 200 mm.

Choosing a place to install the unit

Usually, when choosing the optimal point for installing air conditioners outside, users are faced with the problems of combining ease of use and protection of the module. For example, the location of the block at the height is the best option from the point of view of its safety, but in this case it becomes more difficult to access the air conditioner for maintenance purposes. A good solution might be to place the module on the wall near a window opening or loggia. At the same time, other nuances must be taken into account, including the absence of direct rays of the sun and permission for installation from the neighbors, since a noisy unit can cause inconvenience to people living at the same level of the building.

In addition, it generates condensation, which will drip downward. Accordingly, you will have to negotiate with the neighbors on the lower floors. In case of successful coordination of the installation site of the unit with other residents, you can proceed to direct installation operations. By the way, another condition for the installation of the outdoor unit is the possibility of laying communications in the wall.

Installation of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner

When installing air conditioners, special mounting kits are used, which include pipes with flex, brackets with sets of fixing hardware, drainage communications, etc. The physical installation of the segment is carried out using load-bearing components that are embedded in the walls using anchor elements. At the same stage, brackets are used, the power potential of which is focused on the mass of a particular module. Also, the installation of the external unit of the air conditioner provides for its communication connection with the internal segment. For this, a hole of the required diameter is made in the wall, which will allow organizing, in addition to the main wiring, also the laying of the vacuum pump and gauge manifold. At the final stage, the communications are directly connected between the two blocks.

Features of installing the indoor unit

When installing the evaporative, that is, the indoor module of the air conditioning system, it is especially important to maintain the correct position of the unit. Typically, this unit is mounted directly under the ceiling surface with a slight indentation. Mechanical fixation is also done with suitable brackets. True, in this case, the mass of equipment is not so great, which simplifies the workflow. After marking, the master installs the anchoring elements and, if necessary, fixes the supporting profiles. Next, the indoor unit of the air conditioner is installed with strict observance of the horizontal position. Also, some models of such segments, according to the instructions, should have a slight slope towards the drainage passage.

Maintenance and care

In normal operation, the air conditioner must be serviced every six months. Most of the work is carried out with the external unit, which is most susceptible to contamination. Specialists usually check the condition of the filters, the refrigerant level, the operating pressure of the module route, etc. The most difficult operation is the replacement of the working fluid. The refrigerant is a chemically unsafe substance, so it is better to trust its refueling. experienced craftsmen... But taking care of the rest of the components is quite affordable for ordinary users. For example, the answer to the question of how to clean the external unit of the air conditioner is quite simple. First of all, it should be disassembled, after which, using a rag or a vacuum cleaner, rid the inner surfaces of the module from dust and dirt deposits. In the process of such maintenance, external filters and heat exchange radiators are cleaned, which prolongs the life of the air conditioner.

Outdoor unit in multi-systems

The concept of technical implementation of a split system provides for the possibility of using several indoor modules in one complex, which are served by one outdoor unit. Unlike standard configurations, the external module of such a system has engineering differences. For integration into a multi-system, it is equipped with an additional thermostat, which allows more efficient control of the fan and compressor settings. In turn, the indoor unit of the air conditioner acts as a source of information signals that determine the control of the outdoor unit. That is, the user, using the remote control, accesses the panel of the indoor unit, and that, in turn, regulates the bypass communications system on the freon line via a digital channel.

Price question

In modern modifications, split-system air conditioners are not cheap, which is largely due to the complexity of the design. Even in the entry-level segment, the cost of an air conditioner with a remote unit is rarely less than 20 thousand rubles. Of course, you can find options for 15 thousand rubles. from little-known brands, but their quality raises doubts both among specialists and among users themselves, who often complain about problems.

Decent quality models are offered by Fujitsu, Daikin, Mitsubishi, etc. The average cost of an air conditioner from the range of these companies varies in the range of 30-40 thousand rubles. At the same time, the most technologically advanced and productive sets can be estimated at 70-80 thousand rubles.

Conclusion

The use of air conditioners with a design involving the installation of an external unit gives rise to many problems during installation and further maintenance. And this is without taking into account the difficulties in transporting equipment. These factors make it possible to speak of such units as morally obsolete. Especially against the background of the proliferation of mobile devices of modest size. Nevertheless, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner remains relevant in the market. This is explained by its high performance, functionality and safety during operation, since the main working units are located outside the living quarters. And if for domestic use it is possible to find a low-power replacement for a split-system in the form of a monoblock, then in the context of servicing office premises, public buildings and institutions, multifunctional complexes still have no equal.

And here we will tell you about the functions and characteristics of the most common type of air conditioners - wall split systems. Note that most of the characteristics described are applicable to other types of domestic and industrial air conditioners.

Air conditioner power consumption

The power consumed by the air conditioner is about three times less than the cooling power.

Power consumption is sometimes confused with cooling power. In fact, the power consumed by the air conditioner is about three times less than the cooling power, that is, a 2.5 kW air conditioner consumes only about 800 W - less than an iron or electric kettle. Therefore, household air conditioners, as a rule, can be plugged into a regular outlet without fear of "knocked out" plugs. There is no paradox here, since the air conditioner is refrigeration machine, which does not "produce" the cold, but "takes" it from the outside air and transfers it into the room.

The ratio of cooling power to power consumption is the main indicator of the energy efficiency of an air conditioner, which in technical catalogs is indicated by the coefficient ERR(Energy Efficiency Ratio). Another parameter is COP(Coefficient of Performance - thermal coefficient) is equal to the ratio of heating power to power consumption. The ERR of residential split systems typically ranges from 2.5 to 3.5, and the COP ranges from 2.8 to 4.0. You will notice that the COP is higher than the ERR. This is due to the fact that during operation the compressor heats up and transfers additional heat to the freon. This is why air conditioners always generate more heat than cold. This fact is often used by unscrupulous manufacturers, indicating in advertising to confirm the high energy efficiency of their air conditioners, the COP coefficient instead of ERR. There are seven categories for the energy efficiency of household appliances, designated by letters from A (best) to G (worst). Air conditioners of category A have COP> 3.6 and ERR> 3.2, and category G - COP< 2.4 и ERR < 2.2.

It should be noted that power consumption and cooling capacity are usually measured in accordance with ISO 5151 (indoor temperature 27 ° C, outdoor temperature 35 ° C). When these conditions change, the power and efficiency of the air conditioner will be lower (for example, at an outside air temperature equal to minus 20 ° C, the power of the air conditioner will be only 30% of the nominal value).

What is a "warm" air conditioner or the ability to heat the air

There are air conditioners that can only cool the air, called only cold and air conditioners with the possibility of heating air, called warm - cold, Heat pump, reversible air conditioner or simply " warm" air conditioner. Models with the ability to heat the air cost $ 100-200 more, but in the off-season (autumn and spring) they can replace the heater.

A “warm” air conditioner emits 3-4 times more heat than it consumes electricity, but it cannot work in winter.

Name Heat pump not given by chance. It shows that the air conditioner heats the air not with an electric coil or heating element, like an electric heater, but with the heat taken from the outside air (heat is pumped from the street to the room). Thus, in heating mode, the same process occurs as in cooling mode, only the outdoor and indoor units of the air conditioner seem to be swapped. Accordingly, in heating mode, as in cooling mode, the power consumption is 3 - 4 times less than the heating power, that is, the air conditioner emits 3 - 4 kW of heat per 1 kW of consumed energy.

Please note that all air conditioners with a heat pump can only work effectively at positive outside temperatures, so it is problematic to warm up with an air conditioner in winter (more on this below).

Inverter air conditioner

Any properly selected air conditioner can maintain the indoor temperature at 20 - 22 ° C at an outdoor temperature of 30 - 35 ° C. If it is not too hot outside, the capacity of the air conditioner will be excessive, but it cannot be changed, because the compressor of a conventional (not inverter) air conditioner has a fixed capacity. At the same time, in order to accurately maintain the set temperature, the air conditioner must have a variable cooling capacity. The solution to this problem is simple. When the air conditioner is turned on, its sensor constantly monitors the air temperature in the room and when it drops 1 - 2 ° C below the set value, the compressor is turned off. The fan of the indoor unit continues to work, therefore, the compressor shutdown is not noticeable and manifests itself only in a gradual increase in temperature. When it rises 1 - 2 ° C above the set value, the compressor turns on and the whole cycle repeats. The disadvantage of this technology is the large fluctuations in the temperature inside the room, since in order to maintain it more accurately, the compressor would have to be switched on and off too often, and this would lead to its rapid deterioration. Another drawback is that when the compressor is turned on, very cold air begins to blow from the indoor unit - when it passes through the evaporator, it is cooled by 13-15 ° C. For example, if the current air temperature in the room is 24 ° C, then the air flow created by the air conditioner will have a temperature of 9 - 11 ° C, regardless of what temperature is set on the control panel. Being under a direct stream of such cold air is not only uncomfortable, but also dangerous to health.

It was possible to eliminate all these shortcomings only in 1981, when the first inverter air conditioners having variable cooling (heating) power. The inverter unit in such air conditioners converts an alternating supply voltage to a constant voltage (this process is called inverting), which allows you to smoothly change the speed of the compressor and thereby regulate the power of the air conditioner. During the operation of the inverter air conditioner, there are no constant on / off cycles of the compressor, therefore, inverter split systems more accurately maintain the set temperature and, as a rule, make less noise. In the catalogs for inverter split systems, not one power value is indicated, but the range in which it can change. The wider this range, the more accurately the inverter air conditioner will be able to maintain the set temperature. Therefore, when choosing an inverter split system, you should pay attention not only to the rated power, but also to the ratio of the maximum power to the minimum - the larger this value, the better.

Air conditioner noise level

If you are going to install an air conditioner in the bedroom, or if there is a window of nervous neighbors next to the outdoor unit, then you should pay attention to the noise level of the air conditioner being purchased. Noise level is measured in Decibels(dB) - a relative unit that shows how many times one sound is louder than another. The audibility threshold is taken as 0 dB (note that sounds with a level less than 25 dB are actually not audible). The whisper level is 25 - 30 dB, the noise in an office room, like the volume of a normal conversation, corresponds to 35 - 45 dB, and the noise of a busy street or loud conversation is 50 - 70 dB.

For most household air conditioners, the noise level of the indoor unit lies in the range of 26 - 36 dB, for the outdoor unit - 38 - 54 dB. You may notice that the noise of the indoor unit in operation does not exceed the noise level of the office space. Therefore, it makes sense to pay attention to the noise level of the air conditioner if you plan to install it in a quiet room (bedroom, Personal Area etc.).

It would seem that now it is enough to choose an air conditioner with the lowest noise level, and comfort is guaranteed. But not everything is so simple: it may turn out that an air conditioner with a noise level of 26 dB in practice will work louder than an air conditioner with a level of 32 dB. Moreover, there is no deception here, and all measurements were carried out correctly. Here's the thing. Any air conditioner can operate in several dozen modes, and each mode has its own noise level. Since the main source of noise in the indoor unit is the air flow through the fan, radiator and distribution louvers, it is logical to measure the noise level at the lowest fan speed, and even make this speed as low as possible. The problem is that in this mode the air conditioner will not deliver the declared power and in hot weather it will either automatically switch to a higher speed (with increased noise) or will not be able to maintain the set temperature. IN full description air conditioner, as a rule, the noise level is given for all modes of fan operation, or at least the maximum and minimum values. At the same time, the typical noise level of the indoor unit of a premium air conditioner is 27 - 31 - 34 dB for a three-speed fan. In the advertising booklet, only the smallest figure of 27 dB can be given, and not the more correct the maximum noise value of 34 dB.

The quietest indoor and outdoor units have inverter air conditioners of the upper price group.

It should be noted that air conditioners can be a source of not only monotonous noise generated by the air flow, but also some other sounds - crackling, hiss, gurgling, clicks. Usually, these noises are noticeable only in complete silence, but they can interfere with restful sleep, since suddenly occurring sounds are much more annoying than monotonous noise. These sounds are of a different nature. Cracking sounds occur when the plastic housing parts expand and contract, caused by changes in its temperature. Freon can gurgle and hiss when the compressor is turned on and off. And clicks occur when switching relays that control the operation of the fan, compressor and other components of the air conditioner. Of all these noises, the cracking of the case is the most uncomfortable - such sounds can even wake up in the middle of the night. You can recognize the "crackling" indoor unit by the cheap plastic, which is appearance and feels significantly different from the plastic from which premium air conditioners are made. Inverter air conditioners usually emit less abnormal noise, since they do not experience sudden temperature changes associated with periodic switching on and off of the compressor.

If you really need a "quiet" air conditioner, you can advise before buying to bypass several companies that have showrooms with operating models of air conditioners, touch the indoor units, listen to how they work in different modes. In general, as a rule, the most "advanced" and expensive air conditioners are also the quietest.

A few words about the outdoor unit. When the windows are closed, otherwise it is not allowed to operate the air conditioner, the noise of the outdoor unit is practically inaudible. But this noise is clearly audible to your neighbors if they themselves do not have air conditioning and all windows are open. Although the noise of the outdoor unit of a serviceable domestic air conditioner never exceeds the level allowed for the living area, this noise can still greatly disturb the residents, especially at night. Note that the difference in the noise level of the outdoor units of air conditioners of the upper and lower price groups is significantly higher than the difference in the noise level of the indoor units. Some Daikin split systems even have a “Silent Outdoor Unit” function, when activated, the noise level of the outdoor unit is halved.

Ventilation (fresh air supply)

Household split systems cannot supply fresh air to the room. This requires a separate ventilation system.

There is a misconception that any air conditioner can not only cool, but also ventilate the air in the room. However, the full function of feeding fresh air can be implemented only for ducted air conditioners. Conventional wall-mounted split systems can only cool or heat the air inside the room, and the "ventilation" mode, which is written about in the instructions for the air conditioner, means that only the fan of the indoor unit works in this mode, without turning on the compressor.

The main consumer functions of the air conditioner

To control all modern air conditioners, an infrared remote control with a liquid crystal display is used, which allows you to set the operating mode of the split system, the desired air temperature, program the timer to turn on / off the air conditioner, etc. As a rule, in terms of the number of functions, economy-class air conditioners differ little from models in the upper price category. The reason for this unification is that in order to implement additional features, it is not required to change or complicate the design of the air conditioner, it is enough just to reprogram the microcontroller that controls the air conditioner and add buttons to the remote control.

Thanks to this, manufacturers can add new operating modes or additional functions to air conditioners without special costs and successfully build their advertising campaigns on their basis. As a result, in terms of consumer capabilities, there is often no difference between air conditioners of different price groups. Less common are functions that actually lead to an increase in the cost of an air conditioner, since their implementation requires a change in its design. For example, the built-in motion sensor allows you to save energy, and the temperature sensor in the control panel allows you to maintain the set temperature not in the area of ​​the indoor unit, but where the remote control is located. How necessary these functions are and whether it is worth overpaying for the air conditioner for them is up to you.

Main modes and functions of air conditioners:

  • Cooling and Heating(for "warm" models). The main operating modes of the air conditioner used for air conditioning and space heating.
  • Ventilation... An operation mode in which only the indoor unit fan operates, without turning on the compressor. It is used to distribute air evenly throughout the room and can be used, for example, in winter, when warm air from heaters and central heating radiators accumulates under the ceiling and the floor remains cold.
  • Auto mode... In this mode, the air conditioner itself controls the selection of the operating mode (Cooling, Heating or Ventilation) to maintain a comfortable temperature.
  • Dehumidification... In dry mode, the air conditioner reduces the humidity in the air. Generally speaking, air dehumidification always accompanies its cooling. Warm air comes into contact with the cold heat exchanger (radiator) of the indoor unit, as a result, moisture condenses on the heat exchanger, which is removed through the drain hose. All modern dehumidifiers work on the same principle. Therefore, in the dehumidification mode, the air conditioner operates in the same way as in the cooling mode, only the air temperature in the room decreases by no more than 1 ° C.
  • Air cleaning... To clean the air, one or more filters are installed in front of the heat exchanger of the indoor unit. The main filter of the air conditioner is designed to clean the air from coarse dust (the so-called, coarse filter). This filter is an ordinary fine mesh and protects not so much the inhabitants of the air-conditioned room as the interior of the air conditioner. To clean this filter, it is enough to rinse it in warm water. Additional filters (so-called, fine filters) are designed to clean the air from small dust particles, smoke, pollen. Split systems can be equipped with different fine filters - coal(eliminates unpleasant odors), electrostatic(retains small particles) and others.
  • Setting the temperature... For the Cooling and Heating modes, you can control the air temperature with an accuracy of 1 ° С in the range from 16 - 18 to 30 ° С. Usually the temperature sensor is installed in the indoor unit of the air conditioner, but some models have an additional sensor built into the remote control. In this case, the user himself chooses at which point the temperature will be measured.
  • Fan speed... The indoor fan can rotate with different speed, accordingly changing the amount of air passing through the indoor unit (this parameter is called air performance or " pumping»Air conditioner and is measured in cubic meters / hour). Typically the fan has 3 to 5 fixed speeds plus automatic mode. In automatic mode, the fan speed is selected based on the current and set temperature - the more the current temperature differs from the set one, the higher the fan speed.
  • Air flow direction... The direction of the air flow generated by the indoor unit can be adjusted vertically using horizontal plates (louvers) with 5 to 7 fixed positions. In cooling mode, the flow is usually directed horizontally along the ceiling to prevent cold air from reaching people. In heating mode, the air flow is directed downward, since hot air is lighter than cold air and rises up. In addition, the blinds can automatically swing up and down, evenly distributing the air flow throughout the room. Some models of air conditioners with a capacity of over 5 kW have automatic vertical blinds, regulating the air flow in the horizontal direction.
  • Timer on and off... With the 24-hour timer, you can set the time to automatically turn on and off the air conditioner, for example, you can turn on the air conditioner one hour before returning from work.
  • Night mode... After turning on this mode, the air conditioner sets the minimum fan speed (to reduce noise) and gradually increases (in cooling mode) or decreases (in heating mode) the temperature by 2 - 3 degrees for several hours. These temperature conditions are believed to be optimal for sleep. 7 hours after turning on this mode, the air conditioner turns off.

Air conditioner protection systems

Most economy class air conditioners do not have anti-misuse protection systems.

If the consumer functions of all air conditioners are the same, then the functions of protection against improper operation or unfavorable external conditions, on the contrary, differ significantly. A full-fledged air conditioner monitoring and control system involves the installation of a large number of sensors and additional devices in the outdoor and indoor units, which increases the cost of equipment by 20-30%. At the same time, it will not work to effectively advertise, say, the presence of a low pressure switch and, accordingly, it will not work to get a quick return on the money invested. Therefore, in budget air conditioners, control and protection systems are practically absent. Even in the first group, many air conditioners have only partial protection against misuse.

Main control and protection systems:

  • Restart... This function allows the air conditioner to turn on after a power failure. Moreover, the air conditioner will turn on in the same mode in which it worked before the failure. This simplest function is implemented at the firmware level and therefore is present in almost all air conditioners.
  • Monitoring the status of filters... If the filters of the indoor unit of the air conditioner are not cleaned, then in a few months such a layer of dust will build up on them that the performance of the air conditioner will decrease several times. As a result, the normal operation of the refrigeration system will be disrupted and liquid freon will be supplied to the compressor inlet instead of gaseous, which will most likely lead to jamming of the compressor. But even if the compressor does not fail, then over time the dust will adhere to the radiator plates of the indoor unit, get into drainage system and the indoor unit will have to be taken to a service center. That is, the consequences of operating an air conditioner with dirty filters can be very serious. To protect against these consequences, a filter cleanliness control system is built into the air conditioner - when the filters are dirty, the corresponding indicator lights up.
  • Freon leakage control... In any split system, the amount of freon decreases over time due to the standardized leakage. It is not dangerous for a person, since freon is an inert gas, but an air conditioner without refueling can "live" only 2 - 3 years. The fact is that the air conditioner compressor is cooled by freon and, if it is insufficient, it can overheat and fail. Previously, a low pressure switch was used to turn off the compressor when there was a lack of freon - when the pressure in the system dropped, this relay turned off the compressor. Most manufacturers are now switching to electronic systems controls that measure the temperature at key points of the system and / or the compressor current and, based on these data, calculate all the operating parameters of the refrigeration system, including the freon pressure.
  • Overcurrent protection... A number of refrigeration system faults can be identified from the compressor current. A reduced current indicates that the compressor is operating without load - which means that freon has leaked out. The increased current signals that not gaseous, but liquid freon enters the compressor input, which can be caused either by too low outside temperature or dirty filters of the indoor unit. Thus, the compressor current sensor can significantly improve the reliability of the air conditioner.
  • Automatic defrosting... When the outdoor air temperature is below + 5 ° C, the external unit of the air conditioner can be covered with a layer of frost or ice, which will lead to a deterioration in heat exchange, and sometimes even to a fan breakdown from the impact of the blades on the ice. To prevent this from happening, the air conditioner control system monitors its operating conditions and, if there is a risk of icing, periodically turns on the auto defrosting system (the air conditioner operates for 5-10 minutes in cooling mode without turning on the indoor unit fan, while the outdoor unit heat exchanger heats up and thaws).
  • Low temperature protection... It is categorically not recommended to turn on an unadapted air conditioner at negative outside temperatures. To prevent breakdowns, some models of air conditioners are automatically turned off if the outside temperature drops below a certain mark (usually minus 5 - 10 ° C).

    Of course, the protection of the air conditioner is not limited to the listed systems, but we have considered those systems, the presence of which is very desirable in order for the air conditioner to take care of you, and not you about the air conditioner.

Freon type

Freon is a refrigerant, that is, a substance that transfers heat from the indoor unit of the split system to the outdoor one (for more details about this process, see the section How the air conditioner works). Freons (their other name is chlorofluorocarbons) is a mixture of methane and ethane, in which hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine and chlorine atoms. All refrigerants used in household appliances are non-flammable and harmless to humans. There are several types of freon that differ chemical formulas and physical properties. Freons R-12, R-22, R-134a, R-407C, R-410A and some others are most often used in air conditioners and refrigerators.

Previously, almost all household air conditioners supplied from Russia worked on R-22 freon, which was distinguished by a low price ($ 5 per 1 kg) and was easy to use. However, in 2000 - 2003 in most European countries legislation came into force limiting the use of R-22 freon. This was caused by the fact that many freons, including R-22, destroy the ozone layer. To measure the "harmfulness" of freons, a scale was introduced in which the ozone-depleting potential of R-13 freon, on which most old refrigerators operate, was taken as a unit. The potential of R-22 freon is 0.05, and the potential of the new ozone-friendly R-407C and R-410A freons is zero. Therefore, to date, most manufacturers focused on the European market were forced to switch to the production of air conditioners using ozone-friendly freons R-407C and R-410A.

For consumers, this transition meant an increase in both the cost of equipment and prices for installation and service work. This was caused by the fact that new freons differ in their properties from the usual R-22:

  • New freons have more high pressure condensation - up to 26 atmospheres versus 16 atmospheres for R-22 freon, that is, all elements of the refrigeration circuit of the air conditioner must be more durable, and therefore more expensive.
  • Ozone-safe freons are not homogeneous, that is, they consist of a mixture of several simple freons. For example, R-407C has three components - R-32, R-134a, and R-125. This leads to the fact that even with a slight leak from freon, the lighter components first evaporate, changing its composition and physical properties... After that, you have to drain all the substandard freon and re-fill the air conditioner. In this regard, R-410A freon is more preferable, since it is conditionally isotropic, that is, all of its components evaporate at approximately the same rate and with a slight leak, the air conditioner can simply be refilled.
  • Compressor oil, which circulates in the refrigeration circuit together with freon, should not be mineral, as is the case with R-22 freon, but polyester. Such oil has one significant drawback - high hygroscopicity, that is, it quickly absorbs moisture from the atmospheric air. And water entering the refrigeration circuit leads to corrosion of its elements and a change in the properties of freon, therefore it is more difficult to work with such oil.
  • And most importantly, the cost of new freons is $ 30-35 per 1 kg, which is 6-7 times more expensive than R-22 freon.

Currently, in Moscow, you can buy air conditioners using both new, ozone-friendly freons, and the "classic" R-22. However, all new models of well-known brands use ozone-friendly freons.

Distance between outdoor and indoor units of the air conditioner

When placing blocks of a split-system, it is desirable that the length of inter-block communications does not exceed 5 - 6 meters, otherwise the cost of installation will increase and the capacity of the air conditioner will decrease.

The inter-unit distance is of great importance, both for the cost of installing the air conditioner and for its service life. This distance is determined by the length of inter-unit communications - copper pipes and cables. IN standard installation usually include a 5-meter track - in most cases, this is quite enough. In principle, the maximum length of a track for domestic air conditioners is 15 - 20 meters (depending on the model of the split system), however, it is not recommended to use a track of this length for a number of reasons. First, the cost of installing an air conditioner significantly increases - by 500 - 700 rubles for each additional meter of communications, and if the wall needs to be channeled, then the total cost of each additional meter can increase to 1200 - 1800 rubles. Secondly, with an increase in the length of the route, the power of the air conditioner decreases and the load on the compressor increases. When placing the units of the split system, it is also necessary to take into account the restrictions on the height difference between the indoor and outdoor unit (usually 7-10 meters).

Oddly enough, too short a track can also lead to problems. Freon pipes connecting the indoor and outdoor units of the split system are an element of the refrigeration circuit, therefore, any deviation of the length of the communications from the calculated 5 meters will lead to a change in the parameters of the refrigeration cycle. Even if the units of the split system are located only 1 meter apart, the length of the route should be about 5 meters (its surplus folds into a ring that is hidden behind the outdoor unit). Note that budget air conditioners are more sensitive to the deviation of the route length from the optimal value, since they have a simplified control and management system.

If the length of the route exceeds 15 - 20 meters, then you will have to use not a household, but a semi-industrial air conditioner. For example, the semi-industrial series of FDKN wall-mounted split systems from Mitsubishi Heavy is designed for a track length of up to 30 meters with a vertical drop of up to 20 meters. And multi-zone VRV systems allow blocks to be separated by 150 meters with a 50-meter vertical drop.

Influence of temperature on the operation of the air conditioner

A properly sized air conditioner is able to establish and maintain a comfortable room temperature - usually from + 18 ° C to + 28 ° C. The outside temperature is more difficult.

For cooling mode: the lower limit is from -5 ° С to + 18 ° С for various models, the upper limit is about + 43 ° С.

For heating mode: the lower limit is from -5 ° С to + 5 ° С for various models, the upper one is about + 21 ° С.

A significant spread in the lower temperature limit is explained by the fact that to ensure the normal operation of the air conditioner in a wide temperature range, it is necessary to install additional sensors and complicate the air conditioner circuit, and this increases its cost. If you plan to turn on the air conditioner for cooling when the outside air temperature is below + 15 ° C, then we advise you to pay attention to the operating range of the selected model. The operating temperature range is always indicated in the technical catalogs or in the user manual. Operating the air conditioner at a temperature below the allowable temperature leads to unstable operation and freezing of the radiator of the indoor unit, as a result of which water may drip from the air conditioner.

The difference between air conditioners of the first and third groups is manifested in the operating temperature range of the outside air - stable operation at temperatures from -5 ° C to + 40 ° C is possible only if there is a high-quality and expensive control system. Most air conditioners are not designed to operate at outdoor temperatures below -5 ° C.

If the outside temperature drops below -5 ° C, then it is strongly not recommended to turn on the air conditioner. At low temperatures, the physical properties of freon and compressor oil change. As a result, at start-up, the cold compressor may jam and will have to be replaced. But even in the case of a successful start-up, the compressor wear will be significantly higher than the allowable one. Therefore, operating the air conditioner in winter will inevitably lead to compressor failure within 2 - 3 years. In addition, at low temperatures, the drain hole of the drain hose freezes and, when working for cooling, all condensate begins to flow into the room.

However, it's not all bad. Many manufacturers have air conditioners adapted to winter conditions. How these split systems differ from their unadapted counterparts - in the next paragraph.

Additional devices

All-season block

The all-season unit allows the air conditioner to operate at ambient temperatures down to minus 20 - 30 ° С, but the cost of the air conditioner increases by $ 150 - 200.

So that the air conditioner can work in winter, an additional device is built into it - all-season unit or winter kit, which heats the drain and the compressor crankcase, and also controls the operation of the outdoor unit fan. In this case, the air conditioner can operate at low outdoor temperatures (usually down to -15 ° C ... -30 ° C). It should be borne in mind that even with an adapted air conditioner, when the temperature drops, the efficiency and cooling / heating capacity decrease. At -20 ° C, the efficiency of the air conditioner drops by about three times compared to the nominal value. Therefore, in winter, it is better to use heaters for heating, which, moreover, are ten times cheaper than an air conditioner. It is possible to use an unadapted air conditioner for heating only in the off-season - in autumn and spring, when the heating has not yet been turned on or has already been turned off.

An air conditioner with a winter kit can be useful in two cases. First, to improve the reliability of the air conditioner. In this case, almost any split system can be adapted. The adaptation will allow you to turn on the air conditioner at any time of the year, without fear of puddles on the floor and compressor failure. Secondly, the "winter air conditioner" will be simply necessary in rooms with big amount heat-generating equipment, for example, in server rooms, for cooling not only in summer, but also in winter. Since the cold outdoor air contains little moisture, then cooling such a room by the "window" method reduces the air humidity to 20 - 30% (with an optimal value of 55%), which negatively affects not only people, but also complex electronic equipment. Therefore, the only option for air conditioning the server room is to use an adapted air conditioner. As an air conditioner for a server room, an air conditioner with a factory adaptation of the first reliability group is best suited.

Drainage pump

During the operation of any air conditioner, water forms on the surface of the evaporator (radiator of the indoor unit). It condenses when the air passing through the evaporator cools down and flows into a sump located under the evaporator. From the sump, water is removed from the air conditioner through the drain hose. Usually drain hose through the hole in outside wall taken out into the street, less often the drain is taken out into the sewer. In any case, the drain outlet must be below the level of the sump so that water can flow freely from the air conditioner due to gravity.

However, there are times when the drainage must be located above the level of the pallet, for example, when installing an air conditioner in the basement. In such a situation, it is necessary to use a drainage pump that can raise the water to a certain height. Structurally, the pump is made in the form of a small rectangular block in which the pump and a miniature reservoir with a water sensor are located. When the reservoir is filled with water, the sensor turns on the pump, the water is pumped out, after which the pump turns off and the cycle repeats again. Installing a pump leads not only to an increase in the cost of an air conditioner, but also to a noticeable increase in noise levels. Therefore, it is advisable to install an air conditioner in apartments so that you do not have to use a drainage pump.

Protective visor

Sometimes, when installing an outdoor unit of a split system, a metal visor is installed above it. The main task of the visor is to protect the outdoor unit from falling icicles and snow while cleaning the roof. However, when installing an air conditioner with a visor, you will most likely have to use the services of an industrial climber. In this case, the outdoor unit will have to be lowered 25-30 centimeters lower than usual and it will become impossible to mount it from the window. For the same reason, it is usually impossible to install a visor over an already mounted unit without dismantling / installing it.

Protective box (grille)

A protective box or grill is installed to protect the outdoor unit from vandalism or theft. This box is a rectangular frame covered with a metal coarse mesh and covering the outdoor unit from all sides except the bottom (bottom access is required for service). Such protection is used in cases where the outdoor unit is installed in an easily accessible place - on low height, on the roof, etc.

Which air conditioner should you choose?

  • The power of the air conditioner is determined based on the calculation and does not depend on our desires and preferences. An attempt to save money and buy an air conditioner of less power can be justified only with a small (10 - 15%) deviation from the calculated value.
  • Choosing an air conditioner with the ability to heat the air and spending an additional $ 100 - 150, you can warm up in autumn and spring, while saving 65% of electricity. However, remember that for the same money you can buy a good heater that will be able to heat even in winter. According to statistics, “warm” air conditioners are bought several times more than “cold” ones.
  • An air conditioner on ozone-safe freon has a price 10-15% higher compared to a similar model on freon R-22, and the cost of installing such an air conditioner increases by 20-30%. At the same time, the use of ozone-safe freon does not in any way affect the consumer properties of the air conditioner.
  • The inverter air conditioner saves energy, maintains the set temperature more accurately and makes less noise. At the same time, it is much more difficult to manufacture. Therefore, we do not recommend buying inverters of "popular" brands. It is better to buy an ordinary air conditioner of the first or second group for the same money - it will be more reliable.
  • Since there is no possibility of air ventilation in household air conditioners, a system is needed to create comfortable conditions in air-conditioned rooms. supply ventilation... Otherwise, you will have to periodically open a window to ventilate the room.
  • The consumer functions of all air conditioners are approximately the same, therefore, when choosing an air conditioner, it is better to pay attention to its reliability and the presence of protection systems against improper operation and adverse external conditions.
  • Modern household air conditioners have a sufficiently low noise level to ignore this parameter in most cases. If you still need the quietest air conditioner, choose a well-known Japanese brand (Daikin, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Panasonic). In this case, you will be guaranteed the minimum noise level of both the indoor and outdoor units.
  • The limitations on the temperature range of the outside air, inherent in all inexpensive air conditioners, do not play a big role in domestic conditions, since in the cooling mode the air conditioner is used only if the temperature outside the window exceeds 20 ° C. If you need stable operation of the air conditioner in a wide temperature range, then it is better to choose a model specially adapted to winter conditions.
  • When planning the placement of split-system units, try to minimize the length of inter-unit communications. In a typical version of the air conditioner installation (the outdoor unit is under the window, the indoor unit is not far from the window), the length of the route does not exceed 5 meters. If the length of the track is more than 7 meters, then it is advisable not to use "budget" air conditioners (LG, Samsung, Midea and similar).

23.06.2014

In this article we will tell you about the main technical characteristics of air conditioners, which have a significant impact on the quality of the air conditioner and the comfort in a refrigerated room.

Air conditioner power

One of the most important characteristics of an air conditioner is its cooling capacity. When calculating the required power of the air conditioner, they proceed from 1 kW of power for every 10 square meters serviced premises. In addition, in order to calculate the required cooling capacity, it is also worth considering the presence, area and orientation of windows in the building. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that the equipment in the room served by the air conditioner generates heat: this factor must be taken into account when calculating such an important characteristic of air conditioners as the cooling capacity. You can make the calculation in our air conditioner capacity calculator.

Air heating capability

The ability to heat the air is an important characteristic of an air conditioner; equipment with this ability in the off-season can function as a heater. At the moment, almost all models of air conditioners on the market have the ability to heat the air. It is important to know that it is possible to use the air conditioner for heating only when the outside temperature is not lower than -10 ... -5 gr. WITH.

Air conditioner power consumption

The power consumption of an air conditioner is a rather critical characteristic, since the wiring of old houses often does not withstand a significant load, and energy savings are becoming more and more justified. The power consumption of the air conditioner differs from the cooling power by approximately three times. In other words, with a cooling capacity of 3 kW, the power consumption of the unit itself will be 1 kW. From the ratio of the cooling power to the power consumed at the same time, another important characteristic appears - the energy efficiency coefficient. According to international standards, the energy efficiency ratio of the air conditioner is designated as EER for cooling and COP for heating. Based on the values ​​of these coefficients, the energy efficiency class of the air conditioner is determined. Below are the values ​​of the coefficients and the corresponding energy efficiency class.

Noise level

Noise level is an important characteristic of an air conditioner, especially if the installation of the air conditioner is planned in a quiet room, for example, in a bedroom. Typically, the noise level of air conditioners varies between 22-36 dB (for an indoor unit) and 38-54 dB (for an outdoor unit). For example, a noise level of 30 dB can be compared to the whisper of a person or the ticking of a wall clock, 20 dB is comparable to the quiet rustle of foliage. Most air conditioner manufacturers try to achieve a low noise level of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. But you need to understand that the laws of physics are rarely deceived by anyone, so you should not blindly trust all the stated figures, because measurements could be carried out under ideal conditions. It should also be understood that in order to create a powerful air flow, the air conditioner increases the speed of the drum fan of the indoor unit, as a result, in terms of noise level, air conditioner models with large dimensions of the indoor unit (width) remain the leaders, because they need a lower speed to create a powerful air flow fan. If you choose a quiet air conditioner, you should pay attention to the models of such manufacturers as Daikin, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, these air conditioners have long conquered the market of "quiet models", and are rightfully considered the leaders in this direction.

Filters

In most cases, air conditioners are equipped with an air filter. Coarse dust particles are removed by coarse filters. Fine dust filters are used to remove fine dust particles. Also, the air conditioner can be equipped with an ionizer or other devices that improve the indoor air quality.

Modes of operation

Basic modes of operation is cooling, heating and ventilation (air circulation without cooling / heating)

Auto mode- in this mode, the air conditioner itself selects the operating mode to maintain a comfortable microclimate in the room.

Dehumidification- in the dehumidification mode, the air humidity decreases; in this case, the room temperature decreases by no more than 1 ° С.

Night mode- in this mode, the air conditioner decreases the fan speed and increases or decreases the room temperature for several hours.

We wish you a pleasant climate!

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