How to choose an air conditioner for an apartment: effective cooling and air ventilation

With an air conditioner, you can create a healthy indoor climate

Varieties of air conditioners

There are several types of air conditioners by design and installation features.

Window - as the name suggests, this type of unit is mounted inside the window. This is one of the cheapest options, however, it has many disadvantages:

• the design is rather bulky and takes up most of the window;
• if the opening in which the unit is located is poorly sealed, then cold air can enter the apartment through it;
• this system is very noisy.

Window air conditioner installed in the apartment

In view of all these disadvantages, it is recommended to consider whether it is worth saving a small amount for such a device.

Floor - the easiest to install, but far from the most efficient systems. The question of how much it costs to install an air conditioner of this type in an apartment arises quite rarely, since this can be done without any problems even on your own, and this does not require special skills or tools. Unfortunately, this type has disadvantages:

• drafts that inevitably occur when the power is incorrectly selected;
• rather bulky dimensions and the need for a large amount of free space.

Floor air conditioner has large enough dimensions and weight

Duct - installed directly into ventilation ducts. This type of device is not very popular due to the fact that it is difficult to install and maintain, and it is also quite expensive. The advantage of a ducted air conditioner is its invisibility.

Cassette - mounted under a false ceiling. The answer to the question of how much it costs to install an air conditioner of this type in an apartment largely depends on the parameters of the ceiling, not the device. It is worth noting that their installation is not much easier than the channel models.

Mobile - in such an air conditioner, all the elements are collected in one case, which can be freely transferred from room to room. Unlike the window system, this structure can not only cool, but also heat the air, and is also controlled by a remote control. Of the minuses - a high noise level and the need to make a hole in the wall to bring the air outlet to the street.

Portable mobile air conditioner with touch control panel

Split systems - a structure with internal and external blocks. They are characterized by a low noise level, additional control using a remote control, a display, the ability to fine-tune and program the temperature regime, and other advantages. Split systems are one of the most convenient air conditioners for an apartment.

Multisystems - the same as a split system, but with several indoor units. If you need to adjust the temperature for each room separately, then the multi system is the perfect solution.

Useful advice! Split systems and multisystems, with all their advantages, are quite difficult to install, so it is worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the materials and installation manuals in advance.

Duct air conditioner is practically invisible in the interior

Advantages and disadvantages of air conditioners

The debate about whether portable air conditioners or other types of systems are needed in an apartment, or whether their placement has a negative impact on health, has been going on for a long time. In fact, any air filter system is a lifesaver for allergy sufferers and asthmatics, as the filter absorbs pollen, dust, animal hair and other allergenic particles. The main thing is to change the filters in a timely manner.

Doctors' advice on air conditioners sometimes disagrees. Most complain that in pursuit of coolness, many people incorrectly adjust the temperature and air flow rate, which is why they often catch colds even in hot summer.

Useful advice! Cleaning the air conditioner filters is also a very important point. It should be carried out professionally at intervals of 1-3 months. Otherwise, pathogenic microbes accumulate in the filter.

Internal structure of the air conditioner

Not everyone knows, but if the filter is not cleaned on time, there is a risk of not only a common cold, but also pneumonia and other serious diseases.

Another disadvantage of using an air conditioner is a decrease in air humidity to 30-40% with a sanitary standard of 30-60%. Because of this, people in the room can dry out the mucous membrane of the mouth and respiratory tract. This leads to an increased risk of respiratory disease. That is why it is recommended to use together with the conditioner humidifier.

In order not to catch a cold due to the use of the air conditioner, it is recommended not to be directly under the cold air stream. Otherwise, you can get not only a wide range of colds, but also muscle inflammation.

To avoid colds, you should not be under the flow of cold air.

How to choose an air conditioner for an apartment: an overview of the characteristics

If you are not sure which air conditioner to choose for an apartment, then you should pay attention to the power, the ability to fine-tune the temperature and other important parameters.

Noise during operation

The noise level of the system is one of the most important parameters when choosing a device for use in an apartment. It is impossible to completely remove the noise, since the compressor and fans are constantly running inside the unit, there is an active air exchange. The amount of noise produced depends on the characteristics of a particular model, its power, installation location and other factors. Which air conditioner is better for an apartment so that it makes as little noise as possible?

The principle of the air conditioner

To do this, you need to take into account a number of points:

1. The instructions for the device usually indicate the noise level separately for the outdoor and indoor units. Naturally, the noise level of the latter is more important, since it is he who is in the apartment. It depends on the power of the system, but the instructions indicate data only for the minimum and maximum. The average noise level of a modern system is 24-35 dB. It is almost invisible during the daytime.
2. The split system by default makes less noise than any other due to the division into two blocks. Monoblock designs produce much more noise during operation.
3. At night, there is less external noise, therefore the sounds from the operation of the air conditioner are more noticeable. Therefore, if you are choosing a model for the bedroom, then the so-called night mode will come in handy. This is a special function of some air conditioners, which can reduce the noise level to 17-20 dB. Naturally, this is done by reducing the power of the device to a minimum.

For installation in the bedroom, it is better to choose a device with the "night mode" function

Calculating the power of the device

In order to decide on the choice of an air conditioner for an apartment, first of all, you need to calculate its capacity. To do this, you need to know the area of ​​the apartment and room in which the device will be mounted, the height of the ceilings, the number of people who will be in the room, and many other parameters. The equipment working in the room and the sun's heating are also important.

For example, for effective cooling of 8-10 m² of a room, 1 kW of unit power is required, provided that the ceiling height does not exceed 3 m. If there are permanently operating electrical appliances in the room, then 1.5 kW of power is needed to cool 10 m². On many modern sites there are special calculators with which you can calculate the required power, taking into account the individual characteristics of the room.

What can happen if the capacity of the unit is less than required? Most likely, in this case, the air conditioner will work quite efficiently, but work for wear and tear, which will lead to its premature failure. Therefore, when buying a device of obviously low power, you do not save money, but quite the opposite.

The power of the air conditioner is selected at the rate of 1 kW per 10 sq. M.

Excess power won't do anything good either. If you are interested in how to choose the right air conditioners for an apartment, then you should know that too powerful equipment is a large and unjustified consumption of energy, that is, unnecessary financial costs.

Useful advice! If, when calculating the power, you got a very large value, for example, 2 kW, then you should not be alarmed. The required cooling power and the power consumption of the appliance are different concepts.

As a rule, the cooling power is 2-3 times higher than the consumed one. This means that if you want an appliance with a cooling power of 2 kW, then the energy consumption will be 700 W, which is less than the average electric iron.

Remote control simplifies air conditioning control

Which air conditioner is better for an apartment, rating of additional functions

Operational efficiency can be influenced by the many features that modern devices are equipped with:

• heating the room during the cold season;
• the presence of an anti-allergenic filter that removes odors;
• the presence of a dust filter;
• inversion, i.e. regulation of the compressor power. This feature not only saves energy by 30%, but also makes the system less noisy;
• function air ionization;
• ventilation of the room, that is, even distribution of air throughout the rooms.

Split system additional options: 1 - air ionization, 2 - automatic cleaning, 3 - antibacterial filtration, 4 - antiviral filtration, 5 - odor elimination, 6 - anti-allergenic filtration

Remember that the more additional features a device has, the more expensive it is. Therefore, you need to understand what the presence of this or that regime gives. For example, the "comfortable sleep" function implies a reduction in the noise level by lowering the operating power to a minimum, and the forced mode is a rapid heating of the room due to operation at maximum power. Also, some models have a "wind" mode, which means simulating a natural breeze by accidentally changing the direction of the air flow.

If you are going to use the air conditioner in “economical” mode, then keep in mind that in this case it will take more time to create the desired indoor climate. The unit in dehumidification mode will purposefully remove moisture from the air, making it drier. And in the self-diagnosis mode, the air conditioner is able to test itself, determine the nature of malfunctions, when they occur, and display information about them in the form of a code on the display.

Modern technologies allow you to control the air conditioner from a mobile device

Most of all, the cost of the device is influenced by the climate control function. If it is, then the device itself determines the optimal operating mode based on the results of the readings of the sensors, which constantly scan the temperature, composition and purity of the air in the room.

Another useful feature is the self-cleaning of the indoor unit. If it is present, after each shutdown, the device dries itself from the inside using antiseptic agents. This prevents moisture condensation, as well as the formation of fungus inside the air conditioner and the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

Useful advice! When choosing a set of additional functions, do not forget that the most important parameters are the power and power consumption of the device.

The "climate control" function allows the device to work in automatic mode

Many floor standing air conditioners for apartments and other types of systems are equipped with special filters that can not only clean the air from dust, but also eliminate unpleasant odors and perform other useful functions. There are the following types of filters:

• coal - absorb harmful impurities from the air, eliminate unpleasant odors;
• plasma - good for people who suffer from allergies, clean the air from dust, smoke and allergenic particles, and also remove unpleasant odors;
• nanofilters - not only clean the air from pollen, foreign odors or animal hair, but also perform the function of ionization;
• electrostatic - effectively deal with dust and smoke;
• ultraviolet - disinfect the air, but during their work you cannot be indoors;
• silver ionic - also stops the spread of bacteria and germs.

Types and varieties of filters for air conditioners

What is inverter technology

Recently, inverter models have become widespread. The cost of installing air conditioners of this type in an apartment is higher than conventional ones. So how do they differ, apart from price?

Each air conditioner adjusts its operation based on user settings and environmental conditions. At the same time, energy consumption should also be different for different operating modes. In fact, a conventional unit always runs at maximum power. Different operating modes are supported only due to the fact that with the help of a temperature sensor the compressor is switched on and off for different periods of time.

To cool the air in the room to a certain point (for example, 20 ° C), the initial temperature in the room is taken into account, the duration of the unit's operation will depend on it. Those. it will take more time to decrease the temperature from the 28 degree mark than from the 24 ° C mark. But in both cases, the air conditioner will operate at full capacity, consuming a large amount of electricity.

In inverter models, unlike conventional models, the compressor runs non-stop

The inverter system is good in that it can adjust the compressor speed depending on the readings of the temperature sensor. The compressor in an inverter air conditioner never stops working, but it does so with more or less power.

Inverter system advantages

An inverter air conditioner or split system boasts the following advantages:

1. Maintaining a constant temperature with stable system operation.
2. Much lower noise level compared to a conventional system in keep warm mode.
3. Less electricity consumption by 20-30%, since the device works constantly with different power, and does not consume energy for frequent switching on and off.
4. There are no starting currents during operation, so you get rid of the risk of burning old wiring.
5. The set temperature is reached much faster than with a conventional unit, thanks to the forced cooling mode.

Diagram of the direction of movement of cooled air inside the room

Useful advice! Answering the question of which air conditioner is better for an apartment - a conventional or an inverter one, it is worthwhile to understand that with the high cost of the latter, it allows you to save money through the economical use of electricity.

Taking into account the characteristics of the room when choosing an air conditioner

Of course, when choosing a unit model, the individual characteristics of the room where it will be installed are of great importance. So, if you need a mobile air conditioner for an apartment, reviews on the Internet say that it is well suited for almost any room. The same goes for the window type, you only need to choose the wattage.

With split systems, the situation is more complicated. For example, you need to choose the right place for fixing the blocks. The outdoor unit can be installed on a vertical surface, that is, a wall, or on a horizontal surface, that is, on a roof or on a foundation. The indoor unit can be placed on a wall, floor, ceiling, or even inside it if your apartment has suspended ceilings.

The modern design of the wall mounted air conditioner will decorate the room

By the way, the presence of a suspended ceiling is one of the decisive factors when choosing a system. If available, cassette or channel systems can be used. With this type of equipment, the indoor unit is fully integrated into the ceiling, thanks to which you get several advantages:

1. The block is absolutely invisible in the interior, that is, you do not need to rack your brains over whether the design of the air conditioner will suit your wallpaper.
2. The device evenly distributes the air flow throughout the room.

When installing the unit into the ceiling, the location is best determined with the help of an experienced technician. He will tell you how to properly install an air conditioner in an apartment, taking into account the length of the inter-block route, the characteristics of the power supply and the height difference between the blocks, the possibility of access to the interior and other factors.

Communications and the cassette air conditioner housing are hidden behind the false ceiling

Air conditioner operating rules

Like any other household appliance, the air conditioner has a number of limitations and features of use. Compliance with them will allow you to extend the life of the device and save money on repair and replacement. Of course, each model needs an individual approach, which is set out in the operating instructions, but there are a number of common points:

• you cannot turn on the unit at a temperature lower than indicated in the instructions. Most models are simply not designed for use in the cold season, and if this rule is violated, there is a risk of water hammer - a serious breakdown, after which the device cannot be repaired;
• it is necessary to prevent the penetration of warm air from the street into the room in which the system is operating.The fact is that the power of each device is designed for a certain volume of air, and if new warm air is constantly added to this volume, then the device will work constantly. And this leads not only to the expense of extra finances, but also to premature wear and an increased likelihood of breakdown;

The filter and the inner grill of the air conditioner must be cleaned regularly

• do not impede the spread of air currents by installing curtains, cabinets and other partitions... If the device works in a confined space, then its efficiency will be lower than it should be;
• do not place the unit near heat sources, that is, with working electrical appliances such as a TV, refrigerator, etc. The thermostat of equipment, which is located next to a heated object, can perceive its temperature as room temperature and adjust its operation depending on this. Also, you do not need to place the device where it will heat up from direct sunlight, and if this is not possible, then cover it with curtains during the day;
• if the room is being cleaned or an increased content of dust in the air is simply noticed, then the device should be turned off, since the filter may simply not withstand the increased load;

Maintenance of the external block of the split system must be carried out by a qualified specialist

• although using an air conditioner will lower the moisture content in the air, excess moisture can also be harmful to the unit. Due to the high humidity in the room, mold and pathogens can form inside the system enclosure.

Useful advice! The best air conditioner for an apartment is one that requires minimal maintenance and is easy to use.

Features of use in winter

As mentioned above, there are a number of models that can be used even in the cold season. The operating temperature of such models can reach -25 ° C, in addition, they have a heating mode. But do not think that such an air conditioner can replace a heating device, it has a number of nuances that should be taken into account.

Air conditioner operation in heating mode

You need to understand that even the "winter" model does not have heating elements, and the air is heated using the "heat pump" technology. It allows the device to take heat from the external environment and add it to the room, that is, to work in reverse mode. If the room is already cold, then this technology will be ineffective.

It is best to use a unit with a heating function when the central heating is already on, but there is a need for an additional heat source. It cannot replace even the most low-power heater, but it will be effective at ambient temperatures from 0 to -5 ° C. If you turn on the air conditioner at a lower temperature, then you risk quickly destroying it.

Related article:

Supply ventilation in the apartment with filtration. 

Indicators of stagnant air. Types and principles of supply ventilation in the apartment. DIY installation. Helpful hints.

By the way, even a conventional system that is not designed for operation at low temperatures can be modified to a "winter" one. For this, there are so-called winter kits, which include a compressor crankcase, an outdoor fan controller and a drain heater. In this case, the efficiency of the device does not increase, but, on the contrary, decreases with decreasing temperature.

Air conditioner operation in cooling mode

Care Tips

In order for your air conditioner to last as long as possible and without interruption, you should follow a number of simple recommendations:

1. The air filters of a Cooper Hunter or any other air conditioner must be removed and washed at least once every two weeks.
2. The indoor unit of the device should be professionally cleaned once a year.Also, with the help of a specialist, it is necessary to clean the outdoor unit, since dust from the street, debris, poplar fluff or soot from car exhaust often gets into it.

If all these recommendations are followed, the selected device will serve you for many years without the need for repairs, and the air in the apartment will always remain clean and fresh.