Split system and air conditioner: what is the difference, what is better to choose, comparison, advantages and disadvantages

Unbearable heat. Everything is full of hot air. The stuffiness hurts my head, sweat flows in streams. Only air cooling devices, which have become an integral part of a comfortable life, save us.

It’s not always possible to come to a store and immediately buy such equipment. The author of the article, Yana Sanditova, based on personal experience, explains the difference between a split system and an air conditioner, and how to optimally choose the appropriate model for your apartment.

You must first find out whether the housing office will allow the installation of a cooling system on the outside of the building and proceed further based on this information.

Split system device

A multi-block design includes at least two modules. Internal equipment is located directly in the room, the outdoor unit is usually installed on the facade of the building. Special tubes are used to connect the two modules. Cooling gas flows through them - freon or freon.

The main element is the external block.

It contains the following elements:

• device for condensation of air masses;
• compressor;
• ventilation system;
• throttle.

The compressor compresses the cooling gas and moves it. A condensation device is used to convert a gaseous substance into a liquid. Using the throttle design, the pressure of the working medium is reduced before it enters the indoor module. The indoor unit includes a ventilation device and an evaporator. A fan is used for forced air circulation. With the help of an evaporator, the liquid is converted into a gaseous state.

Split systems can be used to cool air masses in a room with several rooms. This design includes an external module and the required number of internal units.

Comparison of other parameters

Before choosing a suitable air conditioner, pay attention to key parameters: functionality, cooling power, background noise. Before purchasing, the question of the price of the product is also important.

Power

The power consumption is approximately 20-30% more than the supplied cold power.

• For home (wall-mounted) split systems, the electrical power taken is from 3 to 9 kilowatts. This is enough to effectively (from +30 outside to +20 indoors) cool the air in a house or apartment with an area of ​​100 m2.
• The mobile air conditioner has a power range of 1-3.8 kW. Based on the power consumption, you can already estimate that it will only “pull” a room up to 20 m2 - taking into account heat losses coming from overheated air ducts through which hot air is discharged to the street.
• Window air conditioners take 1.5-3.5 kW. Over the past 20 years, this figure has remained virtually unchanged.
• Column air conditioners take 7.5-50 kW from the network every hour. They need a powerful power line going into the building. Channel and multi-split systems take about the same amount of electricity.
• For floor-ceiling models, the power varies between 4-15 kW. They will cool a kitchen-living room of 40-50 m2 by 6-10 degrees in 5-20 minutes.

People are different: some people only need a slight decrease in temperature in the summer from +30 to +25, while others like to sit all day at +20. Everyone will choose for themselves the power that is enough for them to feel completely comfortable throughout their entire house or apartment.

Noise level

All modern systems using an external unit are characterized by a reduced noise level. It varies within 20-30 dB for home wall-mounted split systems, floor-ceiling, duct and column air conditioners - the outdoor unit is located not inside the room, floor, building or private housing construction, but outside them.

Window and mobile systems produce 45-65 dB, which is comparable to city noise. This background noise seriously affects the nerves of people engaged in responsible work or during their night sleep. The compressor and main fan produce the lion's share of the noise.

Requirements for operating conditions and functionality

Almost any air conditioner is designed to operate at temperatures from 0 to +58 degrees. In more expensive models, there is additional heating of freon - in northern winter conditions, when it is -50 outside, freon does not become gaseous for normal operation of the device, but you still need to turn on the air conditioner in heating mode. Many air conditioners also work as fan heaters. A special valve is responsible for this function, changing the direction of freon movement when switching from “cold” to “heat” and back.

Additional features include:

• ozonation (in rare models);
• air ionization.

Advantages of a separate design

When answering the question of how an air conditioner differs from a split system, you should consider the advantages of a separate design. Cooling devices with several separate modules have a number of advantages compared to conventional air conditioners:

• they are distinguished by increased power. They can be used to maintain a given temperature in fairly large rooms;
• Such modules operate almost silently. This becomes possible due to the design features of the device. The noisiest block is located on the street. A compressor is installed in it. Internal modules operate quietly, without making loud sounds;
• indoor units differ in installation location, spatial orientation, size and shape. This allows you to make the optimal selection of the necessary equipment for a specific room.

What is the difference

In air conditioners, all elements are located in one unit, which is why they are very noisy when operating. The volume reaches 50 dB - this is the level of a conversation between two adults. It is very difficult to sleep with such sound. Because of this, engineers came up with the idea of ​​dividing the air conditioner into 2 parts, the loudest of which is mounted outside.

Important! Split systems always have one external unit and any number of internal units (from 1 to 8-9 units), connected into one system.

Standard air conditioners are considered more outdated. Models vary in cost, noise level, installation method and power.

Let's understand the concept of “conditioning”.

Air conditioning is the process of bringing indoor microclimate parameters to optimal values. “Optimality” depends on the purpose of the room: in residential premises the air should be comfortable for the human body, in production - to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of equipment.

Air conditioners control air parameters such as temperature and relative humidity. Both parameters are of great importance for humans and the environment.

How does the air conditioner work in different modes?

After we got acquainted with the main modes of the air conditioner and their purpose, it is time to find out how the device works in each of these modes.

Cooling mode (Cool)

When the air conditioner is turned on in cooling mode, refrigerant, which is in a gaseous state at this stage, begins to flow from the evaporator into the compressor. In the compressor, the refrigerant is compressed, its pressure increases from 3-5 to 15-25 atmospheres, and at the same time it heats up to 70-90°C. Next, the compressed refrigerant is sent through the circuit tubes to the condenser.

There, thanks to the intensive operation of the fans, it is gradually cooled to 30-40°C. As the refrigerant cools, it condenses. In the capillary tube, where the liquefied refrigerant enters at the outlet of the condenser, there is a partial drop in its pressure and a further decrease in temperature. Once again in the evaporator, the liquid refrigerant turns into a gaseous state, while heat is actively absorbed from the outside. As a result, the air pumped into the air conditioner and passing along the evaporator is cooled. The refrigerant gas flows back into the compressor and the cycle repeats.

As you can see, the principle of operation of an air conditioner is no different from a refrigerator. Only the refrigerator freezes its chamber and releases excess heat into the space, while the air conditioner cools the room and removes excess heat to the street.

Heating mode

In order for the air conditioner to operate in heating mode, it is equipped with a special four-way valve that can change the direction of refrigerant flow. The principle of operation in this mode is similar to that described above. The only difference is that the refrigerant goes through the stages of increasing and decreasing temperature, high and low pressure in reverse order, i.e. the blocks functionally change roles. As a result, the condenser located in the outdoor unit is cooled, and the evaporator of the indoor unit is heated. The latter releases the accumulated heat to the air pumped by the air conditioner fan.

Dry mode

When the air conditioner operates in dehumidification mode, the moisture contained in the room air condenses on the cooled surface of the evaporator. The condensate accumulates in a special tray and is gradually discharged through a plastic drainage tube into the sewer system or onto the street. In theory, when the air conditioner operates in this mode, the temperature in the room should decrease, which is not always necessary. Reducing the speed of the fan pumping air helps to avoid this: moisture condenses on the radiator, but the air temperature in the room remains virtually unchanged.

Ventilation mode (Fan)

When the air conditioner operates in ventilation mode, its compressor is turned off, and the movement of refrigerant through the system completely stops - only the fan of the indoor unit works, mixing the air inside the room.

Cassette split systems

This type of air conditioner is usually used in rooms with suspended ceilings. They are best suited for rooms with a large area. For example, very often cassette split systems are installed in shops, offices, restaurants and cafes. Air enters them through a special hole located in the center of the block. It is thrown out in four directions at once. Therefore, cassette split systems are most often installed in the center of the room. The advantages of this type of equipment, in addition to efficient air cooling, include an attractive modern design and small size.

Types of monoblocks

By the term “air conditioner,” users most often understand monoblock devices. They are designed to cool the air in a room to a certain temperature. These devices are distinguished by the fact that all their design elements are located in a single block.

Household block air conditioners can be of two types:

• window;
• mobile.

Devices of the first type are so called because they are installed in a window opening. Such air conditioners can not only cool the air, but also filter, humidify and heat it. Despite their inexpensive cost and good efficiency, window models have lost their popularity due to the fact that double-glazed windows are being installed everywhere. Today, for the correct placement of such a device, it is necessary to make a custom-made window frame.

Mobile air conditioners are an excellent option for those who use a cooler only in the warm season and do not want to “attach” it to one of the rooms. Such devices can be installed in any room where there are windows, since a hose is placed in them to supply air to the device. Mobile devices can be taken with you on trips to the country or placed in large apartments that do not have enough cooling from a split system. Significant disadvantages of this type of air conditioners are their high noise levels and low performance.

Floor split systems

Sometimes owners of apartments and houses are also interested in the question of what is better - a floor-mounted air conditioner or a split system. Both types of equipment have almost the same design. Floor models also consist of two blocks. The internal one is located on the floor and has a very thoughtful design. Thanks to its unusual design, cold air is distributed throughout the room very evenly. Flows in such split systems come out both from above and from below. The external and internal blocks of models of this type communicate with each other using flexible hoses, freon tubes and electronic devices. The advantages of split systems of this type, among other things, include ease of installation. Models have significant power and are usually installed in rooms with a large area or where disruption of architectural features is undesirable (in museums, exhibition halls, etc.).

Go ahead

Greetings to all guests and readers of the site! After reading several articles on the Internet, I became convinced that not everyone understands the difference between a split system and an air conditioner. In order to distinguish these concepts, you don’t even need to delve into the features and principles of operation of these devices. Everything is much simpler than it seems!

Translated from English, split means “separate.” And we separated the air conditioner units in order to ensure the most efficient heat exchange. The external unit is located outside to release heat, and the internal unit to release cold.

Naturally, when these blocks are separated from each other, the cooling efficiency of the room is higher. In addition, the separation of components allowed the noisiest unit (compressor) to be located outdoors. Thanks to such important advantages, split systems are gaining popularity from year to year.

Peculiarities

In order to understand the difference between an air conditioner and a split system, you need to know just one feature. An air conditioner is a generic name for a household appliance. A split system is any type of air conditioner that consists of two blocks, one of which (external) is located outside, and the second (internal) is located in the room.

All air conditioners are divided into several types: window, mobile, wall, cassette, floor-ceiling, column, duct. In fact, only window and mobile air conditioners cannot be classified as split systems, since they are a single unit. And all other types of air conditioners have two blocks and are split systems.

In technical terms, an air conditioner is a device that transfers thermal energy and consists of two main components:

• Condenser (external unit radiator) and compressor;
• Evaporator (indoor unit radiator).

A split system is an air conditioner in which these two units are located in separate blocks. The only thing I’ll clarify is that when working with heat, the evaporator will already be the radiator of the external unit, and the condenser will be the radiator of the internal unit.

Installing a mobile and window air conditioner usually does not require complex operations, since these devices are already ready for use almost from the moment of purchase. And separate blocks of a split system cannot be used unless they are connected by appropriate communications (tubes, wires, etc.) But this feature provides the ability to choose the location of the blocks. This will undoubtedly increase indoor comfort, since there will no longer be a need to place the air conditioner either on the floor or in the windows.

Thus, it turns out that a split system is all air conditioners that have two units - indoor and outdoor. Only mobile and window air conditioners are not split systems!

https://kondicionershik.ru

Design and principle of operation of a split system

The split system consists of indoor and outdoor units, an electronic panel, and a remote control. Outdoor unit components:

• fan, condenser, compressor;
• control board (available in inverter models);
• four-way valve (in models with heating);
• filters;
• protective cover.

The indoor unit consists of the following components:

• front panel - through it the system takes in air;
• coarse filter;
• a system of several fine filters;
• fan;
• blinds (vertical and horizontal) - help control air flow;
• indicator panel;
• control board;
• fitting connections.

The split system does not generate cold on its own, but transfers heat from the room to the street (or vice versa, if heating is on).

To cool the room, you need to remove the warm air generated during operation. Heat is energy, and it cannot evaporate into nothing. The carrier, as in a refrigerator, is a special substance - refrigerant. Air conditioners typically use freon.

Split system device

After evaporation, the refrigerant picks up heat. To understand this process, you can pour alcohol on your hands. You will feel colder as the solution begins to draw energy from the surface of the skin. The refrigerant, if it condenses, on the contrary, gives off heat.

When the split system is set to cooling mode, the substance evaporates in the indoor unit and is transferred to the outdoor unit, where it settles. For heating - everything is exactly the same, but in reverse order.

How to install a split system in an apartment in 5 steps

Step No. 1 Find out whether it is possible to install an external unit on the facade of a building, and whether a permit is required. Check the information with the housing office or management company where your home is serviced.

In some cases, they give the go-ahead subject to the consent of the neighbors. To do this, you will need to hold a meeting or walk through apartments and collect signatures.

Step No. 2 Decide on the type of split system, giving preference to the conventional or inverter operating principle. Select a device based on its external design.

Look for a similar device on the Internet, compare manufacturers, prices, read reviews.

Step No. 3 Carefully study the requirements and possibilities for installing the indoor and outdoor units. Analyze the required distance between the blocks and whether a separate outlet is needed.

Step No. 4 Choose a place for installation - a room, an internal and external wall, a section of the ceiling or other building elements.

Step No. 5 Use the services of a certified master. Do not attempt to install a split system yourself.

This is a rather complex technique and its installation and commissioning require appropriate technical knowledge, practical skills and specialized tools.

In some cases, the services of industrial climbers with their own equipment will be required.

Which is better – air conditioning or split system?

Most modern houses and apartments have plastic windows and completely sealed doors. Therefore, to maintain a good indoor microclimate, it is necessary to use various types of additional equipment. First of all, this is, of course, ventilation.

But you can’t do without air conditioners in such apartments and houses either. Otherwise the rooms will be too hot. Today, stores sell climate control equipment of various designs. If desired, you can purchase either a monoblock version of this type of equipment or a two-block version.

In this regard, many owners of houses and apartments have a question about what is better - an air conditioner or a split system?

Types of monoblock equipment

The main advantage of conventional air conditioners is, first of all, their low cost. Equipment of this type consists of one block. Its design may be different. Currently, there are the following types of monoblock air conditioners on the market:

• window;
• mobile;
• roof

Performance for efficient cooling

Monoblock products are designed for air conditioning rooms with an area of ​​15-35 square meters. m. And models related to split systems are more powerful, which gives them the ability to cope with the same work in rooms reaching 50-80 sq. m. m. Although most of them are also designed to work in small areas.

The monoblock air conditioner fits perfectly into the interior and does not take up much space. But its most sought-after characteristic is mobility.

This leads to the conclusion: monoblock air conditioners should be purchased only for cooling air in small living rooms, kitchens, offices, and commercial premises. Whereas split systems can operate effectively in a wider range of areas. This factor is important to consider when choosing.

Noisiness is the main drawback

The superior performance of split systems occurs because the noisiest part of their design, called the compressor, is located outdoors. Therefore, manufacturers can provide models belonging to this type with any necessary power, without the risk of reducing the comfort of people’s lives.

As for monoblock products, the compressor that makes noise, due to its design features, is located inside the housing, and therefore, in a residential or office space. As a result, designers are limited in their ability to increase their productivity, which leads to an increase in noise and sound pressure.

Such discomfort will interfere with living a peaceful life, reading a book, working, and will certainly harm your health. This is a pressing problem, and it is reflected in the legislative acts of all post-Soviet countries.

As a result, monoblock units are inferior to their two-block counterparts not only in power, which is not critical, but also in noise. The last point is fundamental for many potential buyers who make a choice in favor of models of one or another type of air conditioner.

Window air conditioners are also monoblock, but today they are not in demand, so they are rare

But you shouldn’t make a premature decision, since the noise level of monoblock air conditioners is simply slightly higher than that of split systems, but it is within the framework of common sense and various regulations.

Therefore, it all depends on the person’s personal perception and it is recommended to simply make a comparison. Although the clear advantage in this matter belongs to two-block units.

Functionality: no clear leader

Split systems are often equipped with various additional equipment, for example, ionizers, effective filters, various control sensors, etc. And they have additional functions that make the work better and less energy-consuming.

Yet, most often, opponents of monoblock air conditioners complained about such inconveniences as the need to drain condensate manually. In some cases this operation had to be performed every 3 hours.

In addition, there was insufficient accuracy in monitoring indoor climate conditions, which led to mediocre quality of implementation of the established program.

But today it is no longer uncommon to find models of monoblock air conditioners that are devoid of the listed disadvantages. They can independently remove moisture to the heat exchanger, so you no longer need to devote time to the air conditioner every few hours.

In a monoblock air conditioner, only the air duct is in contact with the outside air, which adds reliability to the product

And also in recent years, the quality of room temperature control has significantly improved; as a result, the errors of models from leading manufacturers have become insignificant. For example, Electrolux monoblock air conditioners have long had deviations within 1 °C, which is quite decent.

If a potential buyer plans to use the equipment throughout the year, including for heating, then you should pay attention to the availability of such an opportunity. Since heating using split systems is recommended only in the spring-autumn period, or more precisely, up to -5 °C.

Therefore, in most cases, an air conditioner will not replace the main types of heating (centralized or autonomous system).

You can ignore the stated rule that in the worst case, everything will end in failure when starting in severe frost. If the outcome is favorable, the unit will be able to survive only 2-3 winters, which is not enough, given the cost of modern air conditioners. The reason for the short service life will be increased wear of the loaded parts of the compressor.

Additional equipment will help to avoid such problems, but even this will not prevent a decrease in power by 3 times in twenty-degree frost. This will make the system ineffective.

Monoblock air conditioners do not have this feature - they are always indoors. And for heating, built-in ceramic heaters are used that do not burn oxygen.

This is a frozen external unit of the split system; this will never happen with a mobile air conditioner.

As a conclusion, we can point out that the buyer should take into account the following feature: the clear advantage of split systems appears only in the segment of the most technologically advanced, and, therefore, expensive products. Therefore, if you have the money to buy a unit with a self-cleaning function, climate control and other options, then it is better to buy a split system.

If you don’t want to spend money on all the latest features, then the functionality will be of a similar level. Therefore, it will be necessary to make a choice based on other advantages and disadvantages.

Window air conditioners

Many, answering the question: “Split system or air conditioner - which is better?”, pay attention first of all to the compact models of the first group. Equipment of this type is installed, as the name suggests, in a window.

In addition to low cost, the advantage of such models is their small size. The disadvantages include, first of all, the fact that they occupy window space, as a result of which the intensity of lighting in the room is significantly reduced.

In addition, such models are quite difficult to install, and it is recommended to dismantle them for the winter.

Mobile models

“Split system or air conditioning - which is better?” is the question most often asked by owners of small apartments and country houses. For such premises it is worth choosing an inexpensive mobile model. This type of air conditioner has recently become very popular. The main advantage of mobile single-block air conditioners is, of course, the ability to move them easily.

These models differ from window models in that they are installed on the floor and have not one, but two fans. All units of this type are equipped with wheels. Such air conditioners usually weigh no more than 8 kg. Therefore, you can, for example, take them with you to the dacha in the summer. The main disadvantage of this type of equipment is that it is not very convenient to use.

Condensation in mobile models is collected in a special container, and the owners of an apartment or house have to pour water out of it every few hours. In addition, such air conditioners have low power and therefore do not cool the air very well. So the answer to the question of what is better – a mobile air conditioner or a split system – is simple.

For a large room, it is better to choose equipment of the second type.

Rooftop air conditioners

The question of which is better, an air conditioner or a split system, is often asked by owners of industrial workshops. If the enterprise’s capacity is large, experts recommend choosing monoblock rooftop models. These air conditioners are highly efficient.

Their advantages include:

• low noise characteristics;
• possibility of remote and automatic control;
• no need to lay freon routes.

The disadvantage of these models is their very large size and difficulty in installation.

Monoblock air conditioner models are an outdated option

Two types of air conditioners have a monoblock design: window and mobile. Window air conditioners are practically not used today due to the big problems associated with their operation, but mobile models of air conditioners are still present on the market and are also available for sale in our store.

However, all mobile air conditioners have big drawbacks: low power (they can only serve one room up to 25 sq.m.

), bulky dimensions, unattractive appearance and a corrugated pipe that needs to be routed out into an open window for ventilation to ensure hot air is removed from the room.

And, most importantly, all the noise from the operation of the compressor (and it operates loudly - 45-50 dB) remains indoors, and it is simply impossible to rest or sleep with the mobile air conditioner on!

Split system: the most modern air conditioner!

Another thing is a wall-mounted split system: the entire noisy and bulky part is taken outside and placed in the outdoor unit, and the wall-mounted indoor unit receives minimal dimensions and improved consumer characteristics (low noise level, the possibility of comfortable air distribution, etc.)

Depending on the location of the indoor unit, there are wall-mounted, floor-ceiling, duct, column and cassette types of split systems. The outer unit for all of them is placed on the outer wall of the building, but the inner unit can be placed on the wall or hidden under the ceiling, installed inside the ventilation system, or built into the Armstrong suspended ceiling.

The most popular type of split systems is wall-mounted. Wall-mounted split systems are used for apartments, houses, offices and retail spaces. One wall split system serves one room. You can choose an inverter or non-inverter model for your premises.

An inverter air conditioner has a minimal noise level of the indoor unit, you will not get cold under it (provided that the air flow is not directed directly at you), most often such models have a function for adjusting the position of the blinds, they will save you up to 20-25% of electricity when operation of the air conditioner, and most importantly, they can be used in cooling mode down to -15 degrees outside.

Non-inverter models of wall-mounted air conditioners cost a little less, but they make noticeably more noise - 26 dB, create a strong flow of cold air, which can cause you to catch a cold, and, in addition, they can only be used up to 0-5 degrees outside the window.

There is an option to install a multi-split system when one external unit and several internal ones are installed; such air conditioning systems are most often installed in offices and cottages.

The advantage of such systems is that the facade of the house is not overloaded with many external blocks, but only one external block is installed. The downside is that if your external unit breaks, all internal units of this multi-split system will not be able to function.

Also, you will not be able to use the air conditioner for cooling and heating in different rooms; you will only have one option: cooling or heating.

Apartments with a large area require several rooms; in such rooms you can use ducted air conditioning systems; they are also suitable for private houses, offices and cottages.

These air conditioner models are installed inside the home's ventilation system, thus combining these two systems into a single one.

Flexible air ducts of the ventilation system are used to ensure the distribution of cooled air inside the premises, and to draw air from inside these premises.

Which model to choose for a large room?

If you are the owner of a large office or store, the following will suit you:

Floor-ceiling (console) air conditioning systems.

These types of air conditioners are installed under the ceiling or on the bottom of the wall (as close as possible to the floor) and in terms of their characteristics (working life, reliability) they no longer belong to household, but to semi-industrial models.

Their advantage lies in the uniform distribution of the treated air, which is possible due to the direction of a powerful jet of cooled air along the wall and ceiling.

Cassette air conditioners in Krasnoyarsk are used in most shops and retail premises. These models are built into a suspended ceiling, so they do not take up useful space and do not attract unnecessary attention. Their advantage is the distribution of cooled air in 4 directions at once, therefore ensuring uniform cooling even in large premises.

Column split systems. These are models that are ideal for local air cooling in large offices, hotel lobbies, and sports arenas with high ceilings.

They work quite quietly, without creating extraneous noise that will disturb and distract.

And the presence of vertical automatic blinds in tandem with a wide air flow ensures rapid cooling/heating of the air in the room and its excellent uniform distribution.

Further - more interesting

And so you ask:

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE OF AN AIR CONDITIONER FROM A SPLIT SYSTEM?

We answer:

The air conditioner has fundamentally the same design as the split system, and indeed any climate system. In the case of a simple air conditioner, it should be installed (embedded) in the window with its back facing outwards. This is where the heat exchanger, inherent in any climate system, is located. If you just put it in the room, it won't do any good. The heated air in the heat exchanger immediately mixes with the cooled air.

In a split system, the heat exchanger is made in the form of a separate block and is located outside the building (room). This gives greater flexibility in the placement of climate control equipment. The performance of climate control equipment, among other things, also depends on the size of the heat exchanger. It's like a car's cooling system.

The larger the radiator, the better the engine is cooled. Therefore, the capabilities of a box (ordinary household air conditioner) built into a window are small. If you need to cool a large room, you cannot do without a split system.

Split systems consist of two blocks: internal and external. The noisiest and most voluminous part of such air conditioners is the external one. It is located outdoors. The internal part can be installed in any convenient place.

Air conditioners of this type are highly functional and virtually silent. However, it should be noted that some split systems require suspended ceilings. Depending on the placement of the indoor unit, split systems are divided into wall-mounted, floor-mounted, ceiling-mounted and cassette-mounted. The most common are wall-mounted split systems, where the indoor unit is mounted on the wall under the ceiling.

Duct air conditioners stand apart from the split systems. Their outer part is attached to the walls of buildings, cornices or balconies. The internal part is located in openings behind suspended ceilings. Such air conditioners easily fit into any interior, because... they are practically invisible - only the air distribution grilles remain visible.

They easily cope with the distribution of cooled or warm air in large rooms, and thanks to the built-in special systems, air conditioners help make the air not only clean, but also humidified. If there are many rooms in the room and you want to use air conditioners in all of them, then experts recommend paying attention to multi-split systems, which allow you to connect from two to eight external units. Currently, split systems are represented on the market by LG, Daikin, Panasonic, and Sanyo.

Window air conditioners, as the name suggests, are installed in window openings. Due to their fairly simple design, such air conditioners are easy to install. In addition, they are less demanding than split systems. However, experts note that in recent years there has been a decline in purchasing of such models. The main reasons for this are, first of all, the bulky appearance of air conditioners and their noise.

Also, during installation, the natural lighting of the room deteriorates significantly, because... they take up part of the window. Currently, such air conditioners are mainly used in trade pavilions and government institutions. Despite the consumer downturn, manufacturers continue to improve window air conditioners. So many models with remote control from Panasonic, Toshiba, Sharp, LG Electronics appeared on sale.

Mobile air conditioners do not require their owners to have a specific location. Such air conditioners are easy to transport from place to place. You just need to take the corrugated hose outside (through a window, window or balcony), turn on the air conditioner and that’s it – the indoor climate begins to improve.

However, this type of air conditioner has a relatively high noise level, a small operating area, an insufficiently accurate level of temperature maintenance, and a limited location from the window (no more than 2 meters).

https://www.kupitsplit.com

Comparison of other parameters: what is the difference between a split system and an air conditioner

It is worth noting that according to the principle of operation, the monoblock is no different from the split system. And literally. Like refrigerators, they work on the basis of freezing as freon evaporates and heating as it liquefies during the compression process. But there is also a difference:

• One of the main differences is the noise level. Thus, the split system is almost inaudible, since its noisy part is located on the street. But the air conditioner is quite noisy; after all, the 45-65 decibels it produces are really comparable to city noise. And this is the reason why air conditioners, in which the fan is located inside the unit, have almost disappeared from the market.
• Also, the difference between a split system and an air conditioner lies in the cost, or more precisely, in the installation costs. You definitely won’t be able to install a split system yourself, especially if we are talking about an apartment above the first floor. That is, installation costs will also be added to the funds spent on the purchase.

Comparative characteristics of monoblocks and split systems - table

What is the difference between an air conditioner and a split system? The article said that an air conditioner is often a monoblock, but it should be noted that a split system can be called an air conditioner, but not every air conditioner can be called a split system.

The biggest difference is that a split system is an air conditioner divided into 2 parts.

Comparative table of performance characteristics.

As you can see, the first three indicators highlight the disadvantages of monoblocks.

Split systems win 100% in terms of the above characteristics. Although the wall-mounted monoblock is not inferior in attractive design and compactness.

But mono-body devices will stand out with three subsequent advantages.

Split systems cannot boast of such advantages. But a cozy microclimate without unnecessary noise and equipment that takes up space in the room is a huge plus in favor of the latter.

The cost of both devices depends on additional features and configuration. To say that split systems are much more expensive would not be true. If desired, you can choose options with a minimum set of operating modes for a quite reasonable price.

You can also pay a lot of money for a monoblock. For example, a wall-mounted option costs from 60-70 thousand rubles, and a regular mobile air conditioner will cost 20-25 thousand.

If you wish, you can get by with the simplest split system and spend 25-30 thousand rubles including its installation.

Household split air conditioner

Today, the split design is the most efficient and low-noise climate system. The noisiest unit - the outdoor one - contains a compressor that compresses the refrigerant to a pressure of 20 atmospheres, and a main fan that immediately removes heat from the compressed freon.

If the fan does not blow the heat out of the heated freon in time, it will overheat in a few minutes or half an hour to an hour to a temperature above the critical one, and the coil will break through at its weakest point (a soldered joint or at one of the bends). For this purpose, an external fan is made with large impeller blades, rotates at decent speeds and produces noise of up to 30-40 decibels. The compressor, compressing freon, adds its own noise - and increases its overall level to 60 dB.

The indoor unit of a split air conditioner contains a freon evaporator, which is strongly cooled when the refrigerant liquefied by the compressor of the outdoor unit passes into gaseous form. This cold is picked up by the air flow created by the propeller of the internal fan and blown into the room, due to which the temperature in the room is 10 degrees or more lower than outside. At +35 in the summer heat outside the window, you will get +21 in the room in half an hour. A thermometer inserted into the slightly open curtains (blinds) of the indoor unit will show +5... +12, depending on the load level of the entire split system.

Liquefied (in the smaller diameter of the tubes) and gaseous (in the larger) freon circulates through the pipelines, or “route”. These tubes connect the coils (circuits) of the external and internal units of the split air conditioner.

A type of split system used in private homes and all-season country houses is a floor-ceiling design. The outdoor unit is no different from a wall-mounted split system, and the indoor unit is located either in the ceiling near the wall, or a few tens of centimeters from the floor.

The temperature readings of the blocks are read every second by temperature sensors located on the coils, compressor and externally on the indoor unit of the air conditioner. They are transmitted to the electronic control module, which controls the operation of all other components and blocks of the device.

The split solution is characterized by the highest energy efficiency and efficiency. That is why it will not lose its relevance for many years.

Air conditioner features

The air conditioner is externally a monoblock, which is entrusted with the task of cooling the air to the desired temperature and maintaining a given level of coolness inside the room . The intensity of air conditioning depends on the cooling principle used by the manufacturer.

Design and principle of operation

Air conditioners can use evaporative and compressor cooling principles. The main structural elements of an evaporative air conditioner are hydraulic and mechanical filters, a pump and a water tank. The cooling device circulates in stages:

• using a pump, cold water is pumped into the hydro-filter;
• warm air is cleaned by passing through a mechanical dust collector;
• after mechanical cleaning, the warm air flow is directed to the mesh surface of the hydro filter;
• Under the influence of heat, water evaporates, thereby cooling and humidifying the air flow.

Important! The operating principle of an evaporative air conditioner is the cyclic transition of water from a liquid to a gaseous state. Through the process of condensation, water absorbs heat from the air and the room becomes cooler.

The compressor cooling method is similar to that used in refrigerators. The main technological units are a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, between which refrigerant (freon) circulates through a tubular circuit. In an air conditioner of this design, air cooling occurs due to the refrigerant changing its state.

The design solution for the cooling principle depends on the type of air conditioner.

Classification by type

Air conditioners are divided into types depending on the installation location - these are window, wall and mobile (floor) models. The first two types, as a rule, relate to the compressor cooling principle and require some skill to install. Thus, window units are mounted in a wooden frame instead of one of the vents. And to install a wall-mounted cooling monoblock, you need to cut two through ventilation holes. The air conditioner is mounted on the wall using special brackets. Whereas floor-standing models do not require installation and can be easily rearranged from one room to another. They usually use the evaporative cooling principle.

Advice! To provide fresh air, it is recommended to place mobile air conditioners near a window or door.

Industrial split systems

A duct air conditioner uses supply and exhaust ventilation ducts that have no outlet outside the building. One or more indoor units can be located on different floors or in different clusters of a single-story building. The outdoor unit (one or more) extends beyond the building. The advantage of this design is the simultaneous cooling of all rooms on one floor or even the entire building. The disadvantage is the complexity of the design, the enormous complexity of its installation, maintenance or replacement of some or all parts and components with new ones.

A column air conditioner is an indoor unit approximately the size of a household refrigerator. It is floor-standing. An external split block is taken outside the building and installed close to the ground or suspended almost under the very roof of the building. The advantage of this design is its enormous cooling capacity compared to most household systems.

Column air conditioning is a common occurrence in the trading floors of hypermarkets with an area of ​​up to several thousand square meters. If you turn it on at full power, then within a radius of several meters around you it will create the cold that feels like autumn-winter. The disadvantages of the design are large dimensions and energy consumption.

Multi-split system is a replacement for the two previous varieties. One outdoor unit operates on several indoor units, separated into different rooms. The advantage is that the original appearance of the building is not spoiled by a scattering of separate split blocks near almost every window. The disadvantage is the length of the system, limited by the length of the “route” of 30 m between the outdoor and one of the indoor units. If it is exceeded, such an air conditioner is no longer effective, no matter what the thermal insulation of the “tracer” pipes is.

Which is better to choose?

A relatively low-power – up to several kilowatts of cooling power – split system is suitable for an apartment or private house. Column and duct split air conditioners, the cooling capacity and energy consumption of which are measured in tens of kilowatts, are the lot of production workshops, hangars, warehouses, sales floors, multi-storey office buildings, refrigeration rooms and basements and cellars.

Beginners or people with modest incomes often start by using Chinese air conditioners (for example, from Supra) for 8-13 thousand rubles. But you shouldn’t buy an ultra-cheap air conditioner. Thus, the plastic housing of the indoor unit can emit toxic fumes.

Savings on the “route” and coils - when copper is replaced by brass, the thin-walled tube with a thickness of less than 1 mm - leads to breakdown of pipelines after 2-5 months of active use of the product. You are guaranteed an expensive repair comparable to the cost of another identical air conditioner.

If price is more important to you than versatility, choose a budget model for 12-20 thousand rubles from a more well-known company, for example, Hyundai, LG, Samsung, Fujitsu: these companies work more conscientiously.

Monoblocks

The window block contains all the parts and components of the system. Advantages - the ability to fence a window or above a door with bars, the “completeness” of the device (structural and functional blocks are not separated, “2 in 1”). Disadvantages: much lower energy efficiency compared to a split system, high noise level. For this reason, window units have turned from a top offering to a niche one.

Mobile air conditioners are portable units that require only one thing: a hole in the wall for an air duct that discharges superheated air to the street. The advantages are the same as those of a window air conditioner.

Disadvantages of mobile air conditioners:

• in each of the rooms where the device is used, a hole is drilled for the air duct, which is closed with a plug when not in use;
• the need for a container into which the water condensate will be drained;
• cooling performance is even worse than that of window air conditioners;
• The device is not designed for rooms with an area of ​​more than 20 m2.

Air conditioning vs split system: pros and cons

And now about the unpleasant features of window and mobile air conditioners, which the buyer often does not think about at the time of purchase. Maintenance of window and mobile air conditioners can be carried out only to a small extent. Traditional filter cleaning can be done without the involvement of a service technician. There will be pictograms on the air conditioner body that indicate the progress of this simple event. Sooner or later the container with condensate will be found and emptied. But if the traditional phrase “it’s not cold” is heard, good luck. Most mobile air conditioners do not have a service tap for measuring pressure; refilling it is impossible; any blow to the mobile air conditioner can be fatal. Microcrack, slow leakage of refrigerant, strained pump operation, death. This is essentially a disposable climate control device.

Servicing window air conditioners is also difficult. It is difficult to implement in full. Spare parts for these models are also not particularly common.

To the begining

Criteria for choosing climate control equipment

Only with a clear understanding of the needs, the choice of climate control equipment will be optimal in terms of money and functionality.

Therefore, when choosing an air conditioner, you should consider it:

• performance/power;
• requirements for operating conditions and functionality;
• noise level;
• the cost of a specific model;
• installation price.

Also, do not forget about the built-in ionizers and additional air filters. Often they are not needed, but they give a considerable markup.

You should immediately decide what is required in the end. The range of air conditioners is huge, so you can find an option to suit any needs, you just need to clearly formulate them for yourself

If you only need to cool the air and the room is small, then it is best to purchase a simple cooler. Unlike an air conditioner, it is not as noisy and costs less. But in other cases you will have to choose between a two-block split system and a window or floor monoblock.

Factor 1 – noise and power

The most important criterion for choosing a model of climate control equipment is the level of noise emitted by this equipment during operation. If the selected equipment makes a lot of noise, it will cause discomfort.

And here it doesn’t matter how well the air is cooled. The rustling sound of a fan is one thing, but the hum of a running compressor is quite another.

If the noise in the room needs to be reduced to a minimum, then only a split system should be used. By this criterion, a conventional monoblock air conditioner loses to it in this matter quite strongly.

Noise is the main disadvantage of monoblock air conditioners. All operating units in this case are located in the room and during operation create a background that puts pressure on the ears

A working split system produces sound at a level of 45–55 dB. The noise of a mobile air conditioner is 50–60 dB. And its window analogue will produce even more, plus the rattling of glass in the window will be added.

The difference in decibels is small at first glance. However, the constant hum can drive you crazy. The less noise the air conditioning equipment makes, the better. This is especially true when there are small children in the house or the air conditioner is installed in the study. There is a clear advantage here for the split system.

In terms of performance, the monoblock also loses to the two-block system. The more powerful the equipment, the larger and heavier it is. In a split, a more efficient compressor in the outdoor unit is not a problem. You simply can't see it outside the window. How big and noisy it is is not so important for most buyers.

The monoblock has serious limitations in this regard. Inserting a powerful compressor into it means filling the room with noise and making the device enormous in size. This option becomes unsuitable for installation in a window and loses its mobility when installed on the floor.

The floor-standing monoblock looks great in the interior, and when not needed, it can be easily stored in a closet, utility room or further away in a corner. However, it will not cope with cooling a large room.

Compact mobile air conditioners are designed to cool air in rooms with an area of ​​10–35 sq.m., and household split systems are designed for rooms up to 80 sq.m.

Even if you turn it on at full power, in extreme heat outside the window it is not always able to fulfill its purpose. Plus, under such operating modes, the device will quickly overheat and may burn out. Here it is better to rely on a split system.

To simplify the calculation of the required equipment power (Q), you need to add:

• Q1 – represents the sum of heat inflows emanating from the windows, walls and ceiling of the room;
• Q2 – heat generated by people who are in the room;
• Q3 – the amount of thermal energy released by household appliances.

Each person in the room generates about 100–150 W of heat. Q2 is easy to calculate. To calculate Q1, you need to multiply 30–45 W by the cubic capacity of the room. Plus, the rated power of computers, televisions, lighting devices and all other household appliances is added to this, multiplied by 0.3.

To the resulting total amount, 10–15% is added in reserve. And you can go choose an air conditioner. If there is a model of a mobile air conditioner for the calculated data, then you can purchase it.

But often the required power is quite high. Then to cover it - remove excess heat from a particular room, you have to take a split system.

Factor 2 – cost of equipment and installation

In terms of equipment price, household air conditioners do not differ much from split systems of similar power, but the higher the performance, the more noticeable this difference is. The first option in a mobile version with 1.5–2.5 kW costs approximately 10–15% cheaper than the second with similar kilowatts.

The cost of installing a household split system is estimated at 30 to 50% of the price of the purchased equipment. These costs are often unknowingly missed by owners of apartments and private houses when choosing air conditioning equipment for their homes.

The difference is insignificant, but we must also add the cost of installation work. To operate a floor-standing monoblock, simply place it in the room and plug it into the network.

A split system must first be installed indoors and outdoors, and then the outdoor and indoor parts must be connected together. As a result, the total costs of setting up the system are far from the same.

If the installation of a split is offered to be done cheaply - less than a third of the cost of the device, then you should be extremely careful. There is no saving in this matter. The connection between the external and internal blocks is made by copper tubes through which freon circulates.

If the quality of copper soldering is poor, the refrigerant will begin to leak out of the system, and literally after a couple of months you will have to call the installers again to top it up and solder the leak.

Also, the cost of installation is strongly influenced by the need to use special equipment for work at heights. If the split system is installed in an apartment on the upper floors of a tall building, then you may need to call a lift or invite an industrial climber. And this is always additional expenses.

Factor 3 – convenience and reliability

In terms of service life, much depends on the manufacturer of the air conditioner and the quality of its installation. The outdoor unit of the split system has to endure the effects of various precipitation, wind and sudden changes in air temperature throughout the year.

And the monoblock is located indoors and is free from all this. It seems that the second option should obviously serve longer than the first.

However, the split system is initially designed taking into account climatic factors. Only there is a very important point in it - this is the quality of soldering of copper pipes with freon.

If the blocks are connected by a professional, then such a system often outperforms a monoblock air conditioner in terms of reliability and durability. But with unqualified installation, everything is exactly the opposite.

The main disadvantage of a mobile monoblock air conditioner is the need to somehow expose a corrugated pipe with heated air blown from the heat exchanger into the window or door; such installation does not always look aesthetically pleasing

The monoblock is sold pre-assembled at the factory. It will definitely serve its warranty period. It takes some effort to disable it. You just need to correctly calculate the power of the equipment and not kick it accidentally.

In terms of available functions, split systems and monoblock air conditioners with comparable power indicators and prices are practically the same. Their cost is more affected by the manufacturer’s brand, as well as the presence of additional ionizers, filters and air dehumidifiers. There is no clear leader here. It is necessary to compare specific models.

Main types of household air conditioners

At first, window air conditioners, which can be easily installed in the window opening of a room, were popular. The price for such equipment was relatively reasonable. The main disadvantage of such a device is the high noise level that comes from the cooling system compressor. Another drawback is that when the window air conditioner is operating, the percentage of room illumination decreases. For these and other reasons, such devices left the market in a short time, giving an advantage to split systems, which have a lot of capabilities. But, before choosing a split system for your apartment, you need to study another type of air conditioning system - mobile air conditioners.

Mobile air conditioners

In recent years, mobile air conditioners have become quite famous. Installation of such a device does not require specific skills and materials. You can install such an air conditioner yourself - to do this, you just need to pull out the specially designed air outlet corrugation into the window opening and set the device for cooling. The principle of operation of a mobile air conditioner is simple - hot air from the room is distributed using a blower fan, and then it is cooled to a certain temperature, the hot air is removed thanks to an air outlet into the external environment.

The main advantages of the device

• Reasonable cost;
• simple installation method;
• compact dimensions;
• high rate of maneuverability;
• ease of use.

Each model of mobile air conditioners has wheels for moving around the apartment. The device comes with a control panel, which makes it possible to control air conditioning processes from a distance. Many air cooling devices are equipped with filters and air ionizers that can clean it efficiently. A special condensate collector is used to collect liquid when the air conditioner is operating. The percentage of its capacity indicates the period of time after which you will need to drain the water, otherwise the full tank sensor will trigger and the device will automatically stop working. The disadvantages of a mobile air conditioner include low compressor power and high noise levels during its operation. It will not be possible to use such air conditioners in large rooms, because the compressor power is designed for small rooms.

Cassette type air conditioner

The cassette type of air conditioner is also known. It is installed behind a suspended ceiling, and only decorative grilles located in the ceiling cells are visible in the room. The cassette unit is capable of evenly distributing the air flow in four directions, which makes it possible to use one air conditioner in order to cool a large room.

Wall split systems

Currently, wall-mounted split systems are the highest quality and most popular. These devices are equipped with several units: an internal one, which is installed in a refrigerated room, and an external one, located directly on the street.

The blocks are connected to each other by a route, which includes:

• two copper pipes through which freon circulates in different states (gas, liquid)
• drain pipe for draining condensate
• power and control wires

The external unit, located on the street, consists of noisy air conditioning components, especially the refrigeration compressor (the noisiest device). We will tell you how to choose the right split system below.

Functions of split systems

Almost all split systems perform the following functions:

• Control the temperature in the room;
• Purify the air using carbon filters and antibacterial barriers;
• Special night operating mode;
• Distributes air throughout the room;

Medium-cost models have various devices with which the air conditioner can operate during unstable power supplies, as well as in sub-zero temperatures outside the window.

There is one external unit, and several internal ones - this is a multi-split system

If you need to install air conditioners in different rooms of your apartment, it is more convenient to opt for a multi-split air conditioning system. This system is equipped with an outdoor unit with increased power, so you can serve several rooms at the same time - by placing the indoor units in the desired rooms. By purchasing such a system, you not only save on the expensive installation of several air conditioners, you also do not have to buy additional external units.

As a result

Based on the review of the concepts “air conditioner” and “split system”, we can safely say that this is practically one concept, if you do not take into account monoblocks and multi-split. The classic split is a type of air conditioner and performs the function of ensuring optimal climatic conditions in the apartment. What is better is an individual choice for everyone.

This simple truth allows you to cast aside doubts about how the devices differ and pay attention to modern devices that differ in their functionality. Fortunately, today equipment is presented to customers not only as devices for regulating the temperature in the house, but also as stylish, convenient and autonomous units that are a pleasure to use.

Sources

• https://mymeizu-online.ru/klimat/otlichie-kondicionera-ot-split-sistemy.html
• https://oboiman.ru/ingeneer/kondicioner-i-split-sistema-v-cem-raznica-osnovnye-otlicia-i-na-cem-lucse-ostanovit-vybor.html
• https://technosovet.ru/klimaticheskaya-tehnika/kondiczioner/raznicza-mezhdu-kondiczionerom-i-split-sistemoj
• https://qteck.ru/otlichie-split-sistemy-ot-kondicionera-i-chto-luchshe-vybrat.html
• https://sovet-ingenera.com/vent/cond/kondicioner-ili-split-sistema.html
• https://remkasam.ru/otlichie-split-sistemy-ot-kondicionera-i-chto-lychshe-vybrat.html
• https://www.officemag.ru/info/guide/index.php?ID=13443283
• https://stroy-podskazka.ru/split-sistemy/otlichiya-kondicionera/
• https://sovet-ingenera.com/vent/cond/kondicioner-i-split-sistema-v-chem-raznica.html
• https://ventilation-conditioning.ru/tipy-ventilyacii/kondicioner-i-split-sistema.html

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How to choose?

The choice of climate control device must be made taking into account the capabilities of the buyer and the specific operating conditions of the equipment. Single-module air conditioners will be the best option for people living in rented premises, or temporarily visiting a dacha or country houses. Such models can be easily installed, dismantled and transported. Standard single-block devices are also suitable for installation in small offices, warehouses, etc.

Split systems are universal equipment that is suitable for both home use and installation in commercial premises. Thanks to their high power, they are able to provide optimal temperature within one large room. They are indispensable in cases where it is necessary to combine functionality and aesthetics. When properly positioned, such devices do not disturb the harmony of the interior of an apartment, house or office.

Block sizes and build quality

A good air conditioner cannot be small, it must be moderately large.

For example, an indoor unit for 9000BTU models, designed for 25m2, must be at least 790-800mm in length and 270mm in width. Otherwise, it will not work normally and provide the coolness required for such an area.

This is what two air conditioners of equal power look like. Which one do you think will be more efficient and quieter?

The same applies to outdoor units. Different housing sizes mean different heat exchanger sizes.

An important factor when choosing is the quality of plastic and assembly. Here you cannot do without direct contact with the air conditioner itself. If you are viewing them in an online store, you will have to turn to customer reviews.

In most cases, comments are written precisely when something is not liked. If everything suits you, then no one will write anything.

When you choose an air conditioner in a real store, ask the seller to open the cover of the indoor unit. It should not be flimsy and thin.

The color of the plastic should be bright white, almost blinding, without any shades of yellow. First-class plastic never turns yellow.

Under the lid you will see a mesh filter. Have the manager remove it to get to the heat exchanger.

The petals of a good heat exchanger should be as intact as possible, without severe jams.

In low-quality models, these petals are so thin that they become deformed even at the slightest touch.

Expensive or cheap - the differences

Next, when you have decided on the power and type, look at the price, brand and manufacturer. What to choose, a cheap or expensive brand model? How are they different from each other?

Their main difference is the correspondence between the declared and real characteristics. Even in the premium class, everything is thought out to the smallest detail in terms of installation.

The second factor for which you can sometimes overpay is lower energy consumption. The so-called class A+++.

If you use it for a long time, all this will come back to you in the form of lower electricity bills.

The third advantage of expensive models is extremely low noise level. Here it does not exceed 20-25 dB. It's like the rustling of leaves outside the window on the quietest day.

The indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner operates within 28 dB. Outdoor from 40 to 50 dB.

These data are valid for models 9000 - 12000 BTU, or so-called 25, 35. You must clearly understand that as productivity increases, the noise level invariably increases.

The fourth difference is additional functions. Such as plasma, air ionizer, all kinds of filters, smart eye (redirects the cold flow away from the person).

Whether they are useful and necessary, we’ll talk separately.

Only if all of the above is really important to you, you can spend money on overpayment. However, cheaper options, including those in the lower price category, can work properly for 5 to 7 years.

Another question is how and with what comfort for you they will work all this time. What kind of noise will they make?

Will the plastic turn yellow after a couple of years of use?

How will they cope with their work on the hottest days and how much electricity will they consume?

In fact, today there are no downright bad air conditioners. All of them are manufactured in professional factories, often with the same components.

For example, the Chinese brand Gree and the well-promoted Electrolux install compressors from the same manufacturer in many models.

At the same time, do not forget that if you buy even the cheapest copy, you will still pay the standard price for its installation and connection. The same goes for all materials.

But subsequent operation during the stated period of operation - cleaning, inspection, installation and dismantling, refueling, for inexpensive options are even more expensive than the cost of the air conditioner itself. Always consider and budget for these expenses.

Of course, choosing frankly cheap options under 15,000 rubles is at least risky. Their savings primarily come from the absence of such an important component in the production chain as quality control and rejection.

Imagine, you have assembled a full-fledged air conditioner, and then you are forced to throw it away due to the defectiveness of some part. Do you think that in the end, your product will cost more or less than a similar one from an unscrupulous competitor who does not carry out such checks at all?

Therefore, when someone boasts that he bought a Chinese air conditioner for 11,000 rubles and has been using it perfectly for more than 5 years, can such a person be trusted? Of course yes.

He just came across a successful model. But are you ready to participate in such a lottery? Or is it still better to purchase a product from a manufacturer who is really responsible for compliance with the declared characteristics and their service life? These specific models will be given at the end of the article.

Well, don’t forget another important factor - 99% of the successful operation of an air conditioner depends not just on its brand, but on how and by whom it is installed.

Also, when purchasing, do not be fooled by such things as the presence of copper pipes in the kit. They often come with very thin walls of 0.6mm. Although the recommended value is 0.8mm and above.

You need to work with such lines very carefully and only with expensive tools (eccentric rolling with a ratchet, torque wrenches).

One mistake and the whole job will have to be redone. Therefore, it is better to buy a more expensive and high-quality unit without tubes than to rely on what is sold to you in the kit in the store.

In general, we have decided that a good air conditioner starts at around 20,000 rubles and above.

How to decide on equipment?

When it is difficult for the future owner of an air conditioner to make a choice of climate control equipment, he needs to take a sheet of paper and indicate on it all the necessary parameters. And then choose the most suitable type of equipment for them. Then select the model that belongs to the desired type.

The procedure may take several steps. First you need to determine the exact area of ​​the room in which the air conditioner will cool the air. If it is up to 35-40 sq. m, then the desired type will have to be selected further.

If the area is larger, then only a split system will be the optimal solution, since it is unlikely that a person will find a monoblock air conditioner with the required power.

Residents of the lower floors will need to protect their property from vandals and thieves. Damage to equipment is not uncommon

Secondly, the issue of noise must be resolved - it is relevant for most buyers, so it is not advisable to postpone it. Why you have to go to retail stores, to friends and compare the sound pressure indicators of different models to understand whether noisier monoblock products are suitable or opt for quiet split systems.

If the final choice has not been made at this point, then you need to pay attention to the desired functionality of the air conditioner. When it comes to premium characteristics, you will need a split system.

If you don’t want to spend money on installation, anti-vandalism, or protective visors that protect the air conditioner from moisture, you should choose a monoblock model.

If the choice is still not made, you will have to use additional arguments. For example, it may be a suitable design. You need to understand that in the case when the model must be mobile, then the question of choice should only end with the acquisition of a suitable monoblock model. This applies to buyers renting housing, commercial premises, and summer residents.

There is no alternative to people living in buildings classified as historical heritage by the authorities who will have to refuse to purchase a split system. Since spoiling their facades and other walls is not the best idea.

The possible complexity of choice indicates that no one type of equipment has clear advantages over another. This is confirmed by statistics: more often people buy split systems, but this advantage is far from overwhelming.

Some more interesting facts

Choosing an air conditioner is not an easy task. This is not an item that you can give up on, say “it doesn’t fit, we’ll buy another one,” and with a light heart put the unsuccessful purchase into the far corner.

Both a floor-standing air conditioner and a split system are quite expensive devices designed to serve their owner for quite a long time. That is why it is so important to make the right choice and buy an air conditioner that is best suited for your purposes.

So, which is better: a split system or a floor-standing air conditioner? Let's try to look at the advantages and disadvantages of each of these air cooling devices.

Advantages of floor-standing air conditioners:

• Portability. After all, even the second name of a floor-standing air conditioner sounds like “mobile candy bar.” This device can be installed in almost any convenient place indoors (placement near heating and heating devices is not recommended).
• Simplicity and ease of installation. If you decide to buy a floor standing air conditioner, then you won't have to worry about calling a professional to install it. Installation of such an air conditioner is quite easy and simple: install the monoblock indoors and lead its air duct into the ventilation or outside (through a window or hole in the wall).
• Many models have a timer and remote control, as well as air ionizers and fine filters.

Disadvantages of floor-standing air conditioners:

• Limited power (usually up to 4 kW). However, such devices cope with their functions quite effectively, especially in rooms with a small area (apartments, country houses, offices).
• The noise level of floor-standing air conditioners (compared to stationary devices) is quite high.
• The need to periodically clean the pan from accumulating condensate. If you do not want to carry out this procedure every day, then it is best to buy a floor-standing air conditioner with a capacious condensate collector.

Advantages of split systems:

• Low noise level (less than 30 dB). The noisiest part of the device is mounted on the outside of the building.
• High power (up to 7 kW and more). Thus, split systems can effectively cool or warm the air in rooms with a large area (up to 100 m2).
• Large range of indoor units. You can buy a split system that will best fit into the interior of the room.
• Many types of split systems. For retail facilities, it would be more advisable to buy a cassette split system that sprays cooled air in 4 directions. Huge column air conditioners are usually installed in rooms with a large area (conference rooms, restaurants, etc.). Duct split systems are capable of supplying cooled air to several adjacent rooms at once, and multi-split systems can create a favorable microclimate in rooms located at a considerable distance from each other. You can also opt for floor-ceiling split systems with a power of up to 15 kW or standard wall-mounted air conditioners.
• Many models have ionization and air purification functions.

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Disadvantages of split systems:

• Requires professional installation. Installation and maintenance of such devices should only be carried out by specialists.
• Many split systems (not counting cassette systems) cannot create a flow of fresh air into the room.
• The cost of split systems (especially installations with high power) is quite high.

Types of modern air conditioners

If a potential buyer needs to understand the question of what is better - a monoblock air conditioner or a split system consisting of several parts, then he should start by becoming familiar with the types of this equipment. And quite a lot of them have been created for convenience.

Split systems are further divided into:

• cassette - mounted in the ceiling space, belong to the group of equipment with fresh air supply;
• ducted - they are installed between the main and suspended ceilings and allow you to cool the air in several necessary rooms at once;
• wall-mounted - the name indicates the main feature;
• floor-mounted - unlike all kinds of wall-mounted models, they allow you to avoid exposure to direct air flows on people in the room. In addition, this type of equipment distributes the cooled masses more evenly, which is a significant advantage.

Ducted units owe the peculiarity of their operation to channels distributed in adjacent rooms. These are ordinary corrugated pipes, with the help of which warm masses are selected and cold ones are supplied. The equipment allows air conditioning of a multi-room apartment, large office, etc.

If there is a need to process air in several rooms, then it is logical to use efficient multi-split systems. Their peculiarity is that any number of internal ones are connected to one external unit. Moreover, they can be of different power, brand, and located at different distances from the outer part of the system.

The air duct of the duct split system is circled in red, and the indoor unit itself may be located in the next room

At the same time, there is an important drawback, in the form of the same single external block. So, if it breaks down, then the entire air conditioning system created by the owners of the premises fails.

Monoblock air conditioners are divided into:

1. Mobile is the most popular equipment of this type.
2. Window ones - they have already served their purpose, so this variety is represented in the lines of only a few manufacturers that are not among the top ones. The reasons for its unpopularity are low efficiency and low thermal insulation of the room, where outside air enters through the design of the product.

As a result, the monoblock type today is represented mainly by mobile air conditioners, compact and mounted on wheels. Therefore, they are convenient to move or transport anywhere. This is their main feature.

The following article will provide an overview of the best positions on the air conditioner market, which examines this interesting issue in detail.

How to install and maintain air conditioners?

This equipment can be installed independently, and for this it is important to follow some sequential stages of work. Installation is carried out as follows:

1. Creation of separate electrical wiring for equipment.
2. Installation of an outdoor unit, which is usually carried out together with a tower, since work is often carried out at significant heights. In this case, the element must be located in such a place in the building that the internal unit can be connected to it, and it must not spoil the appearance of the building.
3. The indoor unit must be installed in such a way that this equipment is installed in such a way that it is convenient and safe to use.
4. A connection of two blocks, for which an electric wire and a freon wire, which consists of two copper tubes, are used.
5. Setting up and commissioning equipment, checking its performance, as well as cleaning the room from debris generated during the work process.

Maintenance of air conditioners is considered an important task, and it consists of treating the heat exchanger located in the indoor unit with a chemical composition, flushing the drainage system, washing and cleaning the filters, and checking the performance of the entire system as a whole.
This work should be carried out twice a year, and the first time this is done before the start of summer, namely before the season for using this equipment, and also after the end of this season. It is with the help of high-quality and regular maintenance that you can achieve a long service life of your air conditioner. Lack of maintenance can significantly reduce the service life of all equipment, so it is important to treat this work responsibly, and dirty equipment can have a bad effect on the indoor climate. If you approach the process of selecting and installing an air conditioner correctly, you can get equipment that will significantly increase the comfort of life in the summer and even winter seasons. In this case, you can choose an air conditioner that will be ideal for a specific room, not only in its parameters and characteristics, but also in appearance.

Finally about functions

When choosing a split system, it doesn’t hurt to familiarize yourself with the set of additional functions that manufacturers include in this or that series of coolers. The goal is to get the necessary characteristics without paying for extra “bells and whistles” that are not used during operation.

Scheme of operation of the smart eye sensor on a Daikin air conditioner

What functions are found in modern air conditioners:

• low-speed fan;
• energy efficiency class A+++;
• multi-stage or plasma air flow cleaning;
• special internal coating that repels dust and bacteria;
• 2-zone climate control, implemented using separate control of two sections of blinds;
• I-SEE SENSOR – a thermal sensor that records the location of people and directs air in the other direction;
• switching to economy mode with subsequent shutdown if there are no people in the room;
• automatic rotation of blinds in 2 planes – horizontal, vertical;
• weekly programmer, Wi-Fi module.

Energy consumption class A+++ is not a very clear value. In the description of its split system, the Mitsubishi Electric company gives the following explanation: for 1 kilowatt of electricity consumed, such an air conditioner will produce up to 5.2 kW of thermal energy or 10 kW of cold (average annual figures).

Which is better - inverter or on/off

Inverter air conditioners are 20-40% more expensive than conventional air conditioners, but more economical and reliable in operation. It is not for nothing that European and Japanese manufacturers have launched mass production of these models. But realizing the advantages of inverters in practice is not always possible.

Example. You return from work after 18.00, start the cooling, and turn it off before going to bed. Half of this time the “split” or monoblock reaches the temperature, then maintains it. In maximum performance mode, both types of air conditioners consume energy equally; savings begin only at the stage of maintaining a comfortable microclimate.

When is it better to buy an inverter version of the cooler:

• if the unit operates continuously for a long period;
• It is planned to heat the room using an air conditioner.

For short-term operation, cheaper products operating in the “start/stop” mode are suitable.