How to choose an air conditioner for an apartment

Recommendation points

• Determining the type of air conditioner
• Monoblock
• Split system
• Other types of air conditioners
• Cooling capacity
• Air flow rate
• Inverter and savings
• Air conditioner functions

The article will tell you how to understand the functions of a household air conditioner and decide on the choice of this device for your apartment or house. You will learn how to reasonably save on cooling by choosing the right type, power and performance of the climatic device.

Determining the type of air conditioner

There are a lot of air conditioning devices on the market, but the average user is interested in models designed for installation in a separate room, apartment or small country house.

Monoblock

It differs in that all its components are collected in one case. The most popular monoblock categories include the following.

Window.The block has a nearly cubic shape and is intended for installation outside the window. In this case, the “front” part of the device with the control panel remains inside the room. This eliminates the need to connect an air duct to extract hot air – from the device it goes directly to the atmosphere.

Advantages:

1. Convenient installation.
2. Only electricity supply required.
3. Affordable price.

Disadvantages:

1. High noise level (40-50 dB).
2. Intervention in the constructive of the window.

Floor-ceiling blocks.Such an air conditioner can be mounted under the ceiling above the window (in a horizontal position) or near the floor (vertical position) under the window.

Benefits:

1. Installation variability.
2. Any surface suitable.

Disadvantage: hidden installation is not possible.

Mobile.The unit is not intended for installation – it can be installed in any convenient place. All models have standard wheels. For work, it is enough to bring the air duct outside the refrigerated room.

Advantage: easy installation.

Disadvantages:

1. High price.
2. High noise level (40-60 dB).

Monoblocks are convenient for frequent moves, when you need to quickly equip the room. Common disadvantages include the lowest work efficiency (low rates) and one room in service.

Split system

The device consists of two blocks – an internal one with a “cold” heat exchanger and an external one with a compressor and a radiator..

Split system advantages:

1. Acceptable cost (functionality / price ratio).
2. Prevalence.
3. Variety of options and feature sets.

Disadvantages:

1. Low power.
2. Serves only one room.
3. Installation restrictions (outdoor units are not allowed to be installed everywhere).

The split system is the most popular due to its low cost. This makes it possible to install an air conditioner for every family. Repair and maintenance of such devices will not be “affordable”.

Other types of air conditioners

Other types of cooling devices are designed for places with high traffic, or multi-room service. They are practically not used in private apartments and houses, so we will mention them briefly..

Cassette.Rectangular block embedded in the false ceiling. It has an impressive capacity (up to 1800 cubic meters / min) and the same impressive price (from 1800 USD).

Column.They are a device similar to a refrigerator, the dimensions of which depend on the power of the device. They are used for air conditioning offices, hotels, etc..

Often such devices are integrated into the building ventilation system..

Cooling capacity

Based on the reference data, 1 kW of cooling capacity is capable of air conditioning 10 sq. m in 1 min, the formula for calculating the required performance for a particular room will be primitively simple:

P = S / 10, i.e. for a room of 18 sq. m, a device with a capacity of 18/10 = 1.8 kW will be enough.

Of course, we are talking about standard city apartments with a ceiling height of 2.5 to 2.75 m. For a higher height, a coefficient of 1.1 should be applied to the result (add 10%). These figures also characterize the electricity consumption of the air conditioner..

Another mandatory device power rating – BTU (British Thermal Unit) or BTU (British Thermal Unit) – is more common than consumption. Usually this number is entered in the name or coding of the model..

1 BTU / hour = 0.3 kW

The table will help you choose an air conditioner depending on this indicator.

Air flow rate

This metric is also called “productivity”. It indicates how many cubic meters of air the device can cool to a given temperature (usually up to +21 degrees) in one minute.

To determine the sufficient flow rate for yourself, you need to know the volume of the room (length x width x height) and the desired time during which the air must completely cool. For example, having a 4.5×3.3 room with 2.6 ceilings, we get a volume of 4.5×3.3×2.6 = 38.61 cubic meters. m. It is advisable to cool the entire room in no more than 3 minutes. We divide the volume by the time 38.61 / 3 and we get the flow power for this room equal to 12.87, we take 13 cubic meters. m / min.

Another example is a mobile air conditioner with a flow capacity of 8 cu. m / min will cool the air in: 40/8 = 5 minutes.

Inverter and savings

According to the operating mode, air conditioners are of constant performance and inverter. The first ones work at maximum power and turn off when a certain temperature is reached. After the temperature rises, they turn on again. This entails significant energy consumption (for start-up) and increased equipment wear. Inverter – a device that allows you to maintain constant operation of the device.

The advantage of air conditioners with inverter in comparison with constant load devices:

1. Minus 40% energy costs for work.
2. Service life 10-12 years (versus 3-5 years).
3. Less noise level – up to 20 dB (versus 30-50 dB).
4. More accurate constant temperature maintenance.

Air conditioners with inverters are 20-30% more expensive than conventional models, few firms, for example, General Climate, Haier, LG, Panasonic, Samsung, provide the opportunity to purchase an inverter at the price of a constant performance air conditioner.

Air conditioner functions

Cooling.It accounts for 75–80% of the device’s power consumption and wear. Entry-level devices will provide this feature (as the only one) for a minimal price.

Heat.Such an air conditioner can be periodically used as an auxiliary heating device, for example, to accelerate the heating of a cooled room. This feature adds 20-25% to the price.

Dehumidification.This is achieved by slowly blowing the heat exchanger. Necessary in humid climates.

Ventilation.Provides ventilation and maintenance of fresh air – oxygen content.

Self-diagnosis.The presence of this function indicates that you have a technologically advanced model. The electronics of the device itself determines the malfunction and displays information about it on the display. She will inform you that it is time to clean the filters, there is a blockage or malfunctions in the pipe line, and will report problems with the compressor. If this function is not available, the user is forced to act at random or pay the master’s call every time.

Management and programming.Modern models of air conditioners have an informative display and allow themselves to be programmed for a whole year. Recently, control of the device * has become possible via a wireless Wi-Fi network using special applications for smartphones.

* This refers to a device that provides such a possibility.

Table. Air conditioner prices

The most common consumer mistake is trying to install an air conditioner on their own or using video tutorials from the Internet. Remember that even apprentices of installers start doing this on their own after 6 months of internship. It is naive to believe that someone will be able to do it right the first time (in addition, you will need a special tool and consumables – oil, freon, etc.). The company from which you purchased the air conditioner will definitely give a discount on installation or install it completely free of charge. Plus a warranty of one year or more keeps you calm.