How to choose an air conditioner?

The initial parameter when choosing an air conditioner is power. It depends on productivity how favorable the climate will be created in your house or apartment. Not many people take into account that the lack of power of the air conditioner is accompanied by increased energy consumption, since the equipment will turn on more often. In order not to be mistaken with the choice, you should consider:

• number of square meters;
• the presence of household appliances;
• how many people live indoors.

And one more important point! If the apartment or house is on the sunny side, choose an air conditioner with a power reserve of 25 to 30 percent.

For the correct choice of air conditioning power, it is necessary to take into account all types of heat influx. Substitute the following values ​​into the following formula Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3:

1. Q1 - the parameter is calculated for an empty room using the formula Q1 = S ∗ h ∗ q / 1000. To calculate this value, it is important to determine the level of illumination of the object, taking into account the following parameters. S is the area of ​​the apartment or house; h - height from floor to ceiling; q is the coefficient of illumination of the living room. For well-lit objects, the last parameter is 40. For shaded rooms, 30.
2. Q2 is the amount of heat gain caused by people. For one person accounts for from 0.1 to 0.3 kW;
3. Q3 - the total amount of heat gain that creates electrical appliances. The unit of electrical engineering accounts for from 0.2 to 0.5 kW.

The calculation of this formula is considered correct in the presence of a standard layout. With improved glazing, 200 to 300 watts should be added to the result.

It should be noted right away that manufacturers of HVAC equipment convert power not into kilowatts, but into BTU (cooling capacity). You should not have problems understanding technical documentation by learning the following. There are several classifications: 5, 7, 9, 12, 18, 24. In this case, each value must be multiplied by 1000 to determine the BTU. That is, the power of the air conditioner from the "five" lineup is 5000 BTU. To convert cooling capacity to kilowatts, use the formula: BTU / h * 0.293. For example, the power of model 7 is 2.05 kW (7 * 0.293).

Suppose you used the formula and found out that you need to choose an air conditioner for an apartment or a house with a power of 5.28 kW - what model range does a potential purchase belong to? In this case, we should 5.28 * 1000 / 0.293 = 18,020 BTU.Accordingly, we are interested in the eighteenth model range of air conditioners.

If you don’t want to spend time studying the formulas and terminology, you can use the power standards from the manufacturers of HVAC equipment:

• 5,000 BTU - up to 15 m²;
• 7,000 BTU - up to 21 m²;
• 9,000 BTU - up to 26 m²;
• 12,000 BTU - up to 30 m²;
• 18,000 BTU - up to 40 m².

Now you know, or at least have an idea, how to choose an air conditioner for a house or apartment, taking into account the area of ​​the room! It remains to determine the type of climatic equipment, which is classified by the method of installation of equipment. For this, we propose to consider the main options for installation in various places.

According to statistics from manufacturers, about 90% of buyers prefer wall-mounted split systems. Such products, as a rule, are mounted near the windows, which is reflected in a significant saving of material and labor resources. Wall-mounted air conditioners are controlled remotely, their design fits perfectly into almost any interior of an apartment or house. Actually, there are no problems with their installation either. Difficulties with which air conditioner to choose are manifested in the following cases:

1. If you need to choose climatic equipment for an industrial building;
2. If it is not possible to install wall-mounted air conditioning;
3. If the performance of standard split systems is not enough.

If this type of split systems does not fit, and you do not know how to choose an air conditioner for an apartment, consider alternative options.

If you choose an air conditioner for an apartment, pay attention to the floor-and-ceiling split system, which is characterized by simple installation and durability. Thanks to the competent design, such devices evenly distribute air masses, provide for heating the room, the ionization function. Modern split systems are additionally equipped with air cleaning and dehumidification. The advantages of the equipment include small dimensions and a stylish appearance. Such inventions fit perfectly into any interior design. The main disadvantage of floor-to-ceiling air conditioners is overpriced.

To nullify the chores caused by the installation of HVAC equipment, we recommend choosing a floor-type air conditioner. In this case, you do not have to use special devices and tools. Even an ordinary user will cope with the installation of a split system.

As for functionality and power, floor air conditioners are practically no different from wall-mounted counterparts. There are indoor and outdoor units that not only cool, but also provide for a heating mode.

For the operation of HVAC equipment in several rooms of the apartment, it is more advisable to choose a mobile air conditioner. Such split systems provide for the free movement of the device. To install the device, you only need to make an opening for the corrugated pipe. The functionality of modern models is in no way inferior to other types of split systems. Mobile air conditioners, like analogues, are equipped with an ionization function, good filtration, and heating.

The specific differences of the equipment include increased noise level and overpriced. In addition, mobile split systems are inferior in power to other air conditioners. They are exploited when there is no way to use the stationary option.

The last type of climatic equipment is a window monoblock. This air conditioner is chosen for small offices, apartments, shops, because it is easy to maintain, attractive democratic cost and compact size. It is installed directly in the window opening.That is, you do not have to drill additional holes in the wall for air to enter the street.
It is worth noting that, despite the intended purpose, many users prefer monoblocks even in the presence of large rooms. Of course, this is due to the low price, but such savings will not allow to achieve an acceptable result.

Not sure how to choose a home air conditioner? Pay attention to cassette split systems. This type of equipment is perfect for residential and industrial real estate with high ceilings, up to three meters. If you need to choose an air conditioner for a warehouse, a major store or an entertainment center, keep in mind that the costs will pay off over time. A cassette split system is installed between the ceiling: one or more blocks are mounted in the center of the ceiling, depending on the area of ​​the object. As a result, the equipment directs air flows simultaneously in several directions. Advantages include stealth, efficiency and heating function.

If you do not know which air conditioner to choose for the cottage, pay attention to the channel split system. This option attracts with powerful air ducts that evenly distributes air throughout the territory. The problem is that the installation of this type of air conditioner involves the intervention of designers before installation. Like cassette counterparts, this climate equipment is installed between the main and decorative ceilings. The advantages of the system include multitasking: heating, air purification, drainage.

In addition to the power and installation method, there is an extensive range of parameters that must be considered if you do not know how to choose an air conditioner for a house, apartment or non-residential premises. List of useful options:

• ionization - a mode of saturation of air with healthy anions;
• ventilation - the mode of distribution of warm air throughout the room, which accumulates under the ceiling;
• humidification - a function of enrichment of moisture in the indoor air;
• changing the direction of air - a function with which you can control the movement of the flow in order to prevent a jet of cold air from entering the person;
• drainage - a mode of decreasing indoor air humidity;
• air purification - additional filters that trap dust, protect the microclimate, remove third-party odors. If you do not know which air conditioner to choose for an apartment in a dirty area, be sure to consider this option. In modern models there are HEPA filters that eliminate the maximum of unwanted particles.

In addition to additional options when choosing a split system, you need to pay due attention to the protection system. Budget solutions are rarely equipped with additional functions to prevent overheating, wear of key components, and freon leakage. Filters often break. With the growth of the class of air conditioner, its cost increases. Keep in mind that the model is equipped with current protection, automatic defrosting.

Currently, the price range for HVAC equipment varies in the widest range. The difference is justified not only by performance and features, but also by the brand. Among the reliable manufacturers of split systems include: Samsung, Haier, Daikin, Panasonic, Fujitsu, LG. Leading premium manufacturers of HVAC equipment include Mitsubishi.

If you do not know how to choose an air conditioner taking into account the price / quality ratio, pay attention to the optimal cost of split systems of different classes:

1. Monoblocks window - from 10-12 thousand rubles;
2. Wall-mounted air conditioners - from 15-20 thousand rubles;
3. Ceiling - from 30-50 thousand rubles;
4. Channel - from 50-80 thousand rubles;
5. Cassette - from 30-40 thousand rubles;
6. Mobile - from 10,000 rubles.

If you plan to save, pay attention to invertor split systems, which are 30% more expensive, but are characterized by increased efficiency - they consume energy 2-3 times less.

Finally, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with our rating of HVAC equipment, which presents the most current models based on customer reviews.