cool relationship

Summer is coming soon— hot time. In order not to languish from the heat, the apartment can be equipped with air conditioning. If you set yourself the task of air-conditioning one room, a wall-mounted split system is suitable, which will maintain the optimum temperature at no significant cost to you.

Apartments in standard high-rise buildings in 90% of cases are equipped with wall-mounted split systems— you can mount them in almost any room (there are no models except for miniature pantries). The indoor unit of the installation is usually mounted on the wall next to the window, at a height of 2.2-2.5m from the floor (about 30-40cm from the ceiling). Atthis block has a «brother»— outdoor unit, more bulky and noisy, forced to live not in a warm apartment, but on the street— on the windswept outer wall under the window— or on the loggia. Family ties between them form pipes with freon and wires hidden in concrete or laid along the wall in a box. The split system is controlled using the remote control— you can, without getting up from the sofa, command the operation of the air conditioner, and in some cases even program it.

BUTwind from where?

About 40% of the Russian market of wall-mounted split systems is occupied by the equipment of companies Daikin, Fujitsu General Hitachi, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy, Panasonic, Sanyosharp, Toshiba (all— Japan). However, air conditioners are delivered directly from Japan to Russia in vanishingly small volumes. The Japanese today produce equipment for us for the most part at their own factories located in China, Thailand and Malaysia. The exception is the company Daikin— almost all of its equipment intended for our country is produced at its own European factories in Belgium and the Czech Republic. In addition, well-known Chinese brands of air conditioners, such as Gree, Haier, Midea, or lesser known: Chunlan, Hisense, Kelon. There are also products LG, Samsung (both— Korea).

The equipment of the listed brands, as a rule, is of high quality, the level of which is consistent with the declared price. Spending money on it is quite rational.

Along with them, on sale you can find a great variety of air conditioners manufactured by order of Russian and foreign companies at large air conditioning plants of Chinese manufacturers using the so-called OEM technology (from the English original equipment manufacturer— «original equipment manufacturer»). At the same time, the Chinese do not put any effort into product development (except that they “conjure” over design), implementing old technologies that were once transferred (or sold) to them by world leaders in the climate industry.

Many large Russian chains of electronics and household appliances stores and wholesale companies selling household and (or) climate equipment offer air conditioners under their OEM brands, often very well promoted. This technique is usually quite high quality and efficient. However, before purchasing such an air conditioner, the buyer should realize that the same device, perhaps even in a better configuration, can also be bought under the Chinese manufacturer’s own brand, but already at a price 1.5-2 times lower than that stated trading company.

Present on our market (albeit in small volumes, mainly in the regions) are frankly low-grade OEM products that go on sale under hitherto unknown brands (the so-called no name equipment). Such crafts are supplied to Russia by firms with a dubious reputation and even individuals who want to get a «profit» from the sale of air conditioners in the season of maximum demand.— in the summer heat, when high-quality equipment needs to be looked for during the day with fire and the consumer is forced to take anything just to survive the heat.

The appearance on sale of low-grade air conditioners at a low price is due, on the one hand, to the flexibility of a Chinese manufacturer operating on OEM technology and ready, at the request of the customer, to minimize the cost of any component or technological stage in the production of air conditioners (for example, use the most inexpensive compressors and electric motors, abandon operations control when assembling blocks andt.P.). BUTwith another— the desire of some Russian customers to achieve maximum business profitability by any means. Our advice: do not chase the cheapness of an unknown brand— there is a great chance to buy a frank hack, assembled from the minimum possible set of the lowest quality components. It can fail in the first year of operation. Under the guarantee, there will probably be no one to service such equipment: the seller company will most likely be liquidated next fall.

one step ahead

If the grip of poverty in the context of the global world crisis has not yet squeezed your being and consciousness too tightly and you want to buy a really good, efficient climate machine, we recommend that you purchase an inverter split system with a heat pump function that runs on ozone-friendly freon R410A. Inverter equipment on R410A will cost 20% more expensive than a similar model on traditional R22 freon. Prices for such split systems with wall-mounted indoor units range from 25-40 thousand rubles. for the device with a cooling capacity of 2.5kW (this power is quite enough for a room with an area of ​​​​15-25m² in a typical multi-storey building). However, the costs are well worth it. So far, such air conditioners are being manufactured for Russia and other countries under the strict guidance and control of development companies that are in no hurry to sell R410A technology to just anyone. Therefore, look for a device specifically on R410A— then the probability of overpaying for an actually cheap air conditioner assembled at a Chinese (albeit not bad) factory will be scanty.

It is characteristic that inverter split systems (more precisely, devices with inverter control of the compressor drive) quickly bring the temperature in the room to the value set by the user and accurately maintain it at this level. BUTtherefore, they are more comfortable than non-inverter «brothers» working according to the «full power on / off» algorithm. The compressor of such systems at startup does not require large starting currents that can burn old wiring. And the inverter device precisely adjusts its performance to the needs of the home in cold and heat, which guarantees the consumer cost savings.

Split systems on R410A freon are equipped with a compressor other than devices on R22. ATAs a result, their indoor unit can usually be removed a considerable distance from the external one (some models— up to 25-30m horizontally). This is true if the windows of the cooled room face the street facade of the house, where it is impossible to install an outdoor unit, which is therefore taken out to the opposite facade. In addition, inverter climate technology is better adapted to work at low temperatures.

Inverter-type split systems of the same power, operating on R410A freon, are not quite correct to compare with each other only by price: other parameters are also important. It is logical to compare the models of the power you require in terms of energy efficiency, noise level, adaptability to work at low temperatures, the ability to evenly distribute conditioned air throughout the room and, of course, the design of the indoor unit.

Cheap and cheerful

The indisputable advantage of the inverter air conditioner on the R410A can be considered the maximum (in relation to other competing models compared to each other) values ​​​​of its energy efficiency indicators EER and COP. Data on EER and COP are placed in the device passport. If we divide the cost by 1kWh of electricity per EER, you can find out the minimum cost of 1kW of cold obtained with this device. Well, if we divide by COP, we find out the costs for 1kWh heat when heating the room with air conditioning. Andcooling and heating is very beneficial. After all, for example, the maximum values ​​​​of the EER coefficient of household inverter split systems by 2.5kW sold in Russia have already reached 5 today, and COP— 5.14. Such indicators (the best in 2008in the industry) demonstrated the Ururu Sarara model (Daikin). To narrow the boundaries of the search for energy efficient models, we note that high values ​​of energy efficiency— for air conditioners Fujitsu GeneralHitachi, Mitsubishi Electric, PanasonicSharp andothers

If you could not find information about the EER and COP of the device, look at least for data on the category of its energy efficiency (often they are indicated on the packaging). All household appliances, including air conditioners, are divided into seven categories, denoted by letters from A (best) to G (worst). Category A air conditioners have COP > 3.6 and EER > 3.2— these products should be guided by when choosing.

In addition to energy efficiency (and, consequently, the cost of operating the air conditioner), it is worth comparing applicants according to the boundaries of the temperature range of operation. It is characteristic that in Russia, in most cases, it is not the maximum temperature on the street that is critical, at which safe operation of the device «in the cold» is possible (although in hot countries air conditioners «sharpened» for extreme heat in a «tropical» version are especially in demand), but the ability to split systems to heat the room and not break down at temperatures below 0C.

ATin some regions, especially in the south, municipal heating does not function well, so housing is heated using split systems. Of course, in cold weather this is not very economically feasible. The fact is that when working «for heating» at low outside temperatures, the «Carnot» cycle of the split-system refrigeration machine is compressed, as it were, since the outside temperature approaches the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant and the efficiency decreases sharply. The maximum heating efficiency is obtained only when the air temperature outside is about 3FROM.

Many sellers claim that it is strictly forbidden to use a split system in cold weather, its breakdown during such operation— non-warranty case. However, for inverter air conditioners, for which the lower temperature limit of operation is indicated by the manufacturer at the level of -15 … -20C, this applies to the least extent.

Andin fact, we undertake to assert (based on our own experience in operating such equipment) that a good inverter air conditioner on the R410A is capable of heating a room for a long time and without fail in cold weather. Common misconception— fear of damage to his compressor at start-up due to thickening of the oil. This may be true for models on R22, «filled» with mineral oil: due to high starting currents, already in frost -10 … -20With them, the motor windings can really burn out. BUThere in air conditioners on freon R410A synthetic oil is used. According to experts, its viscosity in the compressor of the external unit increases significantly only at -45C, it thickens only at -70FROM.

The main danger when operating the air conditioner at low outdoor temperatures is the freezing of ice in the outdoor unit. This reduces the comfort of using the device as a result of constant shutdowns to thaw frost on the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit. ATIn the defrost mode, the air conditioner runs for several minutes to cool the room in order to supply the outdoor unit with the heat needed to melt the ice and/or frost. Then the appliance works «for heat» until the frost on the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit reappears, after which it switches back to the defrost mode, andt.d.

Among the models of inverter wall split systems on R410A, designed for heating at low temperatures outside the window, one can note wall-mounted air conditioners of the SKVP-ND series in the northern version (Toshiba), which are used at outdoor temperatures up to -15C. In practice, they function successfully even in more severe frosts, for example, in winter in Chelyabinsk. Up to 15C work «for heating» inverter split systems Fujitsu General— from the Asya and Awyz model ranges (the latter’s indoor units are mounted both on the wall and under the ceiling), many inverter splits Daikin andetc. For RAC-10SH1/RAS-10SH1 (B) (Hitachi) and FTXL-G/RXL-G (Daikin) declared the possibility of heating and at temperatures up to -20C. In all Mitsubishi Electric inverter appliances, the declared lower temperature threshold is -20C, and in powerful models of the Zubadan series, the lower threshold— already -25C, and the nominal heat output is maintained down to -15FROM.

Ts-s-s-s!

The most important criterion for choosing an inverter (however, traditional) split system— the noise level of its indoor unit. It is logical to compare air conditioners in terms of noise level at the minimum fan speed (some air conditioners even have a special night mode, when noise is significantly reduced by reducing the fan speed of the indoor unit and reducing air flow). The exact noise figure is given, for example, in the data sheets for air conditioners. A correct comparison will be obtained only if you create identical conditions for measuring the noise of different models (for example, place the indoor unit in an anechoic chamber, measure at a distance of 1m from the front surface of the indoor unit).

Noise minimization is ensured by two key points: firstly, an appropriately developed overall design concept, and secondly, the accuracy of manufacturing the moving parts of the components.

Mitsubishi Electric has achieved outstanding success in minimizing noise. For example, the indoor units MSZ-GE25VA of this company have perhaps the lowest noise level in the industry.— 19dBA. ATthey use a polygonal heat exchanger with a larger area and low resistance to air flow. The fan of increased diameter provides the required air flow at a low speed. They did a good job of reducing the noise of their air conditioners and specialists from Daikin. A variable pitch fan (Zigzag Fan) and a specially shaped heat exchanger are installed in the FTKS25B models, due to which the noise level at low fan speed in these split systems— total 20-22dBA.

When choosing an inverter split system, you should also pay attention to the noise level of the outdoor unit, especially if nervous neighbors live next to you who are used to sleeping with open windows. The fan propeller and outdoor unit guard must be designed to minimize airflow resistance and reduce noise, and the compressor— mounted on soft rubber vibration mounts and placed in a noise-protective casing. ATnight mode at the outdoor unit RXR28E (Ururu Sarara, Daikin) the noise level in both cooling and space heating mode is only 46dBA. Well, in the FTXS-D / RXS-E model of the same company, there is a Quiet and Silent Operation function that allows you to reduce the noise of the outdoor unit from 46 to 43dBA in cooling mode.

Placebo effect

In our opinion, when comparing the technical characteristics of inverter split systems, one can not take into account the various «gadgets» of such equipment, designed to give it any unique capabilities. So, split-system filters well protect the openwork plates of the evaporative heat exchanger of the indoor unit from coarse contaminants such as poplar fluff andt.etc. (only for this they were installed in air conditioners at the beginning). However, it can be argued that purifying the air in the volume of the entire room from smaller particles, the indoor unit of a split system will be noticeably worse than any certified household multi-stage air purifier.

If you really need not an air purifier, but an air conditioner that can rid the air in the room of tobacco smoke and extraneous odors, pay attention to the technique with electrostatic filters. Similar filters are in the top models of powerful air conditioning brands: Daiseikai (Toshiba), Ururu Sarara (Daikin), Deluxe Inverter (Mitsubishi Electric) and some others.

Many independent experts doubt the effectiveness of split systems as devices for saturating the air with oxygen (the doses of O2 supplied to the room by an air conditioner equipped with an «oxygen generator» are negligible, and such pseudo-ventilation does not solve the problem of removing excess carbon dioxide and other contaminants). This also applies to air enrichment with negatively charged ions (air conditioners are equipped with unipolar ionizers that generate only negative ions, and in the living room, according to the current SanPiNam, both negative and positive ions must be present, the balance of which can only be maintained by a bipolar ionizer), vitamin C particles ( the effectiveness and safety of such «therapy» is generally not scientifically substantiated) andt.P.

Alas and ah, the practical uselessness (to put it mildly) of some functions is well understood by many manufacturers, however, this does not prevent them from continuing to equip their equipment with “miraculous healing” innovations, since some consumers make the final choice in favor of a particular model due to the presence of some unique option or their maximum combination…

Well, what to expect in this sense from the Chinese technology no name? It is usually not equipped with any additional devices at all, but at the same time they do not hesitate to lie that the air conditioner is literally stuffed with them! For example, on the remote control of the air conditioner, a button for turning on the ionizer can be installed, and in the indoor unit— LED signaling the occurrence of effluvial wind. But you will not find any ionizer in the air conditioner.

… And yet, another user who presses the remote control button and sees that the miracle mode lamp on the air conditioner has lit up will feel the same improvement in air quality. This will happen due to the well-studied placebo effect. A person takes wishful thinking and, without experiencing exactly any physical impact, still miraculously feels it and is healed …

It is hardly expedient to compare air conditioners in terms of functionality. In fact, all the user needs— so that the remote control of his air conditioner fits comfortably in his hand, has a discreet color and shockproof design, and even so that the batteries in it do not run out longer. BUTof the functions, only those that all air conditioners have are important, namely: mode selection (heating, cooling, dehumidification or ventilation), damper and blind control (to direct the treated air in the right direction) and, of course, start and stop the device. The remaining functions most often remain unclaimed, the consumer does not even know about them or forgets about their presence in the firstmonths of operation.

Ah, montage, oh, montage!

Our advice to you: hurry up with the installation of the air conditioner before the onset of really hot days, do not postpone its purchase and installation indefinitely. Now for 7-10 thousand rubles. it is still quite possible to find a decent team that will install the equipment quickly, efficiently and with a guarantee. But when choosing performers, beware of scammers who can ruin even the most “advanced” technology in no time. An indicator of the viability of installers can be a certificate of completion by them (or at least one of the members of the team) of courses issued by the APIC Training and Consulting Center (Association of Climate Industry Enterprises).

If you live in a renovated dwelling or you are not going to make repairs in the foreseeable future, but at the same time you are not ready to take a steam bath in the summer without a split system, a complete installation of equipment is most suitable for you. It is usually carried out on the same day when the air conditioner «arrives» in your apartment, by a team of two or three installers. If everything goes smoothly, the specialists will manage in 3-4h. However, if the brigade has unexpected problems (for example, when laying a route through external or interior walls containing invisible power elements, common house communications, or because of organizational gaps: the absence of a climber, the impossibility of supplying a tower to the house or erecting scaffolding) , the procedure may be delayed, sometimes for 2-3 days.

Full air conditioning installation, however, is not an ideal solution. The fact is that freon tubes and electrical cables between the units of the device have to be pulled in a plastic box, which does not decorate the home with its appearance. It’s good if the section of the box is small, but sometimes you have to lead it along the wall across the whole room … Branded boxes offered by air conditioner manufacturers look more or less organically in the interior,— in color and shape, they are ideally combined with the indoor unit. However, it is usually difficult to purchase them in Russia, only on order (3-5 months of waiting), for a lot of money.

In addition, the condensate drain pipe from the indoor unit must be led outside when the air conditioner is fully installed, which can cause protests from pedestrians.— they will not like drops on a clear summer afternoon. Yes, and the power cable of the air conditioner must be connected using an electric plug to the outlet closest to the unit, «hanging» additional 1-1.5kW to the automatic «lower light» of a room or even an entire apartment.

If you are renovating an apartment, it is best to install the air conditioner in two stages. This method will allow you to do without boxes in the interior and at the same time will not affect the decoration of the room.

The first stage of such installation starts before the start of finishing work (plastering, installation of plumbing fixtures andt.d.). The installation team will install the outdoor unit of the air conditioner on the wall of the house. From the outdoor unit to the place of installation of the indoor unit, they will then lay copper heat-insulated pipes for the refrigerant (there must be plugs at the ends) and electrical inter-unit communications, the air conditioner power cable will be led to the circuit breaker panel in the apartment (or in the stairwell) under a separate machine for the split system, and a plastic drainage tube with a diameter of 16mm will be taken out through the water lock into the sewer.

For laying communications in apartments, installers usually use the space behind a false ceiling (or behind its decorative lowering along the perimeter of the room) or 6cm and depth 4-6cm, cut into vertical walls. Note that the scraping of walls in multi-storey buildings is prohibited by law; however, in practice, it is impossible to do without the device of at least small inclined grooves connecting the space behind the false ceiling with the indoor unit. The communications laid in the lines are covered with plaster and puttied clean by the master finishers, so that only tubes and an electric cable remain visible on the wall.

The second stage of installation work on the installation of the air conditioner is carried out after finishing the walls. It involves connecting a bundle of tubes peeking out of the walls to the fittings of the outdoor and indoor units, as well as electrical work. In addition, air conditioner installers must ensure that the plumbers who installed the plumbing connect the condensate drain pipe to the bellows in the bathroom or to the sewer riser (so that the smell from the sewer does not go through the air conditioner into the room, there must be a water lock in front of the riser). Then— start and delivery of the air conditioner to the owner.

If you plan to install a split system in your apartment in two stages, your duties as a customer will include «cultural and educational» work. Its essence is to warn the foreman or teams of finishers, electricians andt.p. on the financial consequences of driving nails, screwing in screws and other destructive actions in places where interconnecting communications, drainage and electrical cables are laid, as well as bending or, even worse, bending copper pipes protruding from the wall, which because of this will have to be cut off at the root and build up with soldering.

• Source: Ideas for Your Home Magazine#127