If you have already chosen , then you still should make a correct choose of exact model, according to its technical characteristics. Conditioner should guarantee the maximum level of comfort and the minimum repair expenses.
Power of cooling
To make a right choice, you should calculate an optimal cooling power for your premise. First, you should consider the size of the room. Every 10 m² require 1 kilowatt. Then you should consider the sizes of windows. If the window is 2 m², then the conditioner will need another kilowatt. Every piece of office equipment generates heat, so you’ll need additional 0,5 kilowatt for every computer or printer. All these calculations can be applied to the premises, which are not higher then 3 meters.
Some people mistakenly believe, that if they buy an air-conditioner that has less power, then it is necessary, they can save money. They think that the conditioner will make the same temperature but a bit longer. But the conditioner will use additional electric power and its details will soon need a repair. And in especially hot days, conditioner will permanently work at the highest speed and will make a lot of noise.
If we choose too powerful conditioner, we risk getting sick because of the cold air flow, even if it isn’t directed on us. The interval between compressor’s switching on/off will be too small, because of the rapid air cooling. As a result, the compressor can soon break down. Besides, powerful conditioners cost more.
Some notes on the cooling power. It is the characteristic of conditioner efficiency. Don’t confuse cooling power with the power of compressor, which is nearly 3 times less.
Inverting conditioner
Inverting conditioner has automatic power regulations, according to the indoor temperature. If the difference with set temperature is very big, then the compressor works on the highest speed. When the difference decreases, the compressor speed also decreases. As the set temperature is gained, the compressor doesn’t stop its work, but continue working in economic regime. So the conditioner maintains the set temperature and economizes electricity (up to 40%). Besides, such system has many advantages. The air flow is mainly not intensive and is almost unnoticeable. The fan is working on the lower speed and is making less noise. It also affects the level of comfort. The life of compressor is longer, because the cycle of switches on/off is more weary, then the permanent work on low speed. The only minus of inverting conditioners is their sensitivity to voltage drops. Besides, split-systems with invert are more expensive.
Conditioner refilling
Conditioner is filled with refrigerating gas (usually it’s a freon), which circulates in the pipes, absorbing heat. After depressurization, gas evaporates and the quality of cooling liquid changes, the work of the conditioner worsens.
Majority of conditioners use freon R-22, but considering its insalubrity to ozone layer, producers changed it to ozone safe freons R-407Ñ and R-410À. This change led to the price rise, because new freons require more durable details. When the conditioner is filled with freon R-407Ñ, before the refilling the old liquid should be removed, because its ingredients evaporate with different intensiveness. Freon R-410À is more practical in use, because all ingredients evaporate with equal speed. So the conditioner can be refilled with the necessary refrigerating gas.
The calculation of refilling cost is made according to following numbers. To fill the 7 kilowatt conditioner you’ll need about 2kg of freon. The cost of freon R-22 is about 6$, and the cost of freons R-407Ñ and R-410À can reach 35$ per kilo. So, to refill the domestic 7 kilowatt conditioner, which uses the ozone safe freon, you’ll need up to 70$.
Conditioner noise
The noise level, and accordingly your comfort depend on the fans and compressors, used in this or that model. That’s why it is advisable to use fans with low level of noise. Besides, good isolation of conditioner details is also very important.
The level of noise in domestic conditioners differs for every model from 25 to 37dB for internal block, from 38 to 55dB for external. For comparison, we may say that the sound of 20dB can be compared with a whisper. When the level of noise increases on 2-3 dB, the person feels the twice increase of volume. That’s why, you can switch the conditioner in the regime of lower fan speed, and you’ll decrease the level of noise.
When we are choosing a conditioner, it is not enough to look at the level of noise that is stated in the catalog. The question is, in what regime is this noise level fixed. Sometimes they indicate the number in the low working speed of fan, so the level of noise is low too. But sometimes conditioner won’t be able to provide a necessary temperature without high speed. That’s why it will be more correct to consider the maximum noise level in intensive regime. In technical characteristics you can find the full range of noise levels in different working regimes.
As for the noise of the external block, it is almost unnoticeable, when the windows are closed. The conditioner can impede only your neighbors, but the noise level doesn’t exceed admissible norms.
Conditioner mounting
The conditioner’s life strongly depends on its correct mounting. As a standard the external block is mounted under the window. But if it is possible, it is better to mount it in the place, where the noise of the working block will be minimal. Conditioner should be also accessible to servicing. Besides, external block should be fixed on special bearings, which absorb the vibration. To protect external block from falling icicles, you should make an abat-jour above it. The block itself is mounted 20-30 cm lower.
The internal block can mounted in any place in the room on the fixed distance from the ceiling. The block should be mounted on the distance from heaters, door openings, and not to have any barriers. Don’t mount the conditioner opposite your desk or bed, where you can be chilled. Internal block should be fixed horizontally to prevent the condensate leakage.
While mounting the pipes with refrigerating medium avoid bending. Try to put internal and external blocks as close as possible, so that the pipe length will be minimal (70-100cm).
Usually freon pipes, drain hose and wiring inside the premise are put in special box. Drain hose is brought out from the internal block through the nearest wall under the angle or is led to sewerage system.
Selecting the conditioner, pay attention on all its technical characteristics, because they will affect your comfort. Most popular conditioners are produced by LG, Samsung, Daikin, Mitsubishi, Gree, Haier, AEG and others. It is important to choose the company that makes qualitative products and doesn’t assemble conditioners in China.
With a help of this information it will be easier to select a conditioner among the variety of models. Have a good purchase and a pleasant climate in your room!