As in any other sphere, when you are going to choose an air-conditioner, you should know all the models and their technical characteristics. Right choice of the conditioner will not only create a comfortable and cozy interior, but also will spare you from frequent repair.
Conditioner type
Division of conditioners on types is relative. According to the maximum areas where the conditioner can be efficiently used, they are divided on domestic, half-industrial and industrial.
Domestic conditioners are used in the rooms up to 100m². Their power is up to 8 kilowatt. There are window and mobile air-conditioners, split-system. They are appropriate for the flats and for separate office rooms.
Half-industrial conditioners are necessary for the rooms up to 350m². These are different modifications of split-systems, and cassette, ported or tower air-conditioners. Their power is 15 kilowatt, which will be enough for big shops, flats with many rooms and other spacious rooms.
Industrial conditioners have the power of 20 kilowatt. They can cool the premises more then 350m². They are used for the conditioning of industrial premises, supermarkets and other buildings.
Window air-conditioners
Window conditioner is mounted in the window opening. These models can cool and heat the air in the room. Their power is up to 7 kilowatt. The advantage of such conditioners is the ability to use them for ventilation. Remote control is often in the set. Unfortunately, these conditioners have disadvantages. First, such conditioner decreases the illuminance level in the room, besides it is impossible to mount the conditioner in the double-pane unit. Second minus of the window conditioner is in the high level of noise. There should be an open space in front of the conditioner. For example, curtains will impede. But despite all their disadvantages, these conditioners are very popular because of their low price.
Mobile conditioners
Mobile conditioner is portable and it can be easily mounted without professional assistance. This type of conditioners can be a monoblock and a split-system. For monoblock system there should be a hose to lead the warm air outside. To mount a split-system you should mount the external block outside and join it with the internal with a help of flexible hoses. The difference of such conditioners from the same conditioners of standard split-system is in the compressor location – it is in the internal block. There is also a special air heater inside. Mobile conditioners have the power of under 4 kilowatt, but they can be easily moved to another room. They are also noisy, as the window conditioners, and it may be inconvenient. Another disadvantage is that the condensed moisture is collected in one tank. When it is full, the system automatically switches off and requires pouring out the liquid.
Split-system
Split-system has two connected blocks. They are connected with a help of pipes and electric wires. External block, in which there is a compressor, is mounted outside. Internal block is mounted inside almost in any convenient place. Variety of split-systems is presented with majority of internal blocks. They can be wall, cassette, ported, tower and other. You control the conditioner with a help of remote control, with a help of which you can set a direction and speed of the air flow. You can also use it to regulate the temperature, time of switching on/off, and, depending on the model, you can set the heating regime, filtration and other useful regimes. Noise level of the internal block doesn’t exceed 30 dB, and external – under 50 dB.
It is possible to join few internal blocks to one external (multi split-system). Internal blocks may differ. But their number is limited – no more then 5. Such construction economizes space, but if the external block breaks up, the whole system won’t work. The mounting of such system is very complicated, that’s why its cost is not much higher then the cost of separate split-systems for several rooms. The choice of one of these systems depends on the proportions of outside space for external blocks.
Wall conditioner
Wall conditioners are widely spread because of their universality. The variety of powers and the possibility to mount them in any room make these conditioners very attractive.
The most wide spread and the most accessible by the price is wall conditioner or wall type split-system. Sometimes it is simply called domestic conditioner, because it is most often used in the flats. Wall conditioner can be mounted in any small premise – office, flat, shop. Its power (2 – 7 kilowatt) allows to cool from 15 to 70 m². Internal block is usually mounted in the top part of the wall, near the window, and external – under the window. Such composition allows to decrease the distance between blocks and the length of interblock communications, which is usually no more then 5 – 7 meters.
Cassette conditioner
Cassette conditioner refers to the split-system, the internal block of which can be mounted in the hung ceiling. So the block is covered and only its lower part can be seen. Standard sizes of the internal block are 60x60cm. The air may be equally spread in all directions. It means that one cassette conditioner can efficiently function in large premise (they have a necessary power).
Ported conditioner
The internal block of ported conditioner can also be put in the hung ceiling. The difference from the cassette conditioner lies in the airways system, spread on the whole ceiling, so that the air is flowing through the decorative lattice. Such split-system allows to condition air in few premises at once. Its power (up to 25 kilowatt) allows it to function effectively in the house with many flats or in a small office. If you need to filter the air, for example from cigarette smoke, you may use an additional filter.
The advantage of such conditioners is their ability to cool and to heat the premises even with the minus temperatures. There are models that don’t require large space. It is important to choose a conditioner with appropriate power and to mount it according to free air circulation. It is better to mount the external block on the roof or at the balcony, so it will be more convenient for servicing.
Floor (ceiling) conditioner
Floor (ceiling) conditioner is another variant of split-system. Its internal block is placed on the floor close to the wall (or on the ceiling, if it’s not hung).
When it is on the floor, then the air flows go vertically upward, ceiling variant directs the air horizontally along the ceiling. The advantage of this conditioner, is that the air flow is never directed on the people.
Small sizes of its internal block (depth and height up to 25cm) allow to mount it under the window-sill. Such mounting variant allows not to make additional joints between internal and external blocks. Joining pipes and electric wiring are put through, without breaking inside or outside decoration.
Tower conditioner
Tower conditioner is the best variant of split-system for large premises, where the powerful air flow is necessary. Internal block is placed maximum far from people. Tower conditioner leafs may be directed wherever you like. This system is advisable for museums, visited by many people. And the interior won’t be spoiled by the wall conditioner.
You are buying an air-conditioner not for the interior decoration. That’s why you should pay attention on the of every model. According to the technical characteristics, you can choose a conditioner that will provide the maximum comfort without noise.
Have a good purchase!