Which is better: floor air conditioner or wall air conditioner?

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

Both a floor 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 the air conditioner that best suits your needs.

So, what is better, a wall-mounted air conditioner (split system) or a floor air conditioner? Let’s try to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each of these air cooling devices.

Advantages of floor air conditioners:

1. Portability. After all, even the second name of the floor air conditioner sounds like a «mobile monoblock». This device can be installed in almost any convenient place in the room (placement near heating and heating appliances is not recommended).
2. Simplicity and convenience of installation. If you decide to buy a floor standing air conditioner, then you don’t have to worry about calling professionals to install it. Installation of such an air conditioner is quite easy and simple: you should install a monoblock in the room and bring its air duct into the ventilation or outside (through a window or hole in the wall).
3. Many models have a timer and a remote control, as well as air ionizers and fine filters.

Disadvantages of floor air conditioners:

1. Limited power (usually up to 4 kW). However, such devices quite effectively cope with their functions, especially in rooms with a small area (apartments, country houses, offices).
2. The noise level of floor air conditioners (compared to stationary devices) is quite high.
3. The need for periodic cleaning of the pan from the accumulated 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 trap.

Catalog of mobile air conditioners

Advantages of split systems:

1. Low noise level (less than 30 dB). The noisiest part of the device is mounted on the outside of the building.
2. 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).
3. Large range of indoor units. You can buy a split system that best fits into the interior of the room.
4. Many types of split systems. For retail facilities, it would be more expedient 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.). Channel split systems are capable of supplying cooled air to several neighboring 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-to-ceiling split systems with a power of up to 15 kW or standard wall-mounted air conditioners.
5. Many models have the functions of ionization and air purification.

Disadvantages of split systems:

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

Split system catalog

Let’s try to sum up

A floor standing air conditioner is a portable device that does not have much power and can only cool or heat the air in one room. Mobile air conditioners are equipped with wheels and can move freely from one room to another. That is why these devices are worth buying for a country house, a city apartment or a small office — floor air conditioners will perfectly cope with their tasks in rooms with a small area (up to 40 square meters). Of course, stationary household split systems are more functional, but they can create a favorable microclimate in only one room.

A split system is a stationary device with a low noise level and a sufficiently high power. Split systems are most often installed to cool and purify the air in large areas (industrial premises, restaurants, conference rooms, cinemas, etc.). However, household split systems with a remote control are also in demand. The user can adjust the temperature he needs, choose the direction of the air flow and not experience inconvenience from the noise produced by the device.

Or maybe it’s worth finding a small compromise between these solutions and giving preference to a mobile split system. These devices, like floor-standing air conditioners, do not require professional installation and can be placed in almost any place convenient for you. However, unlike stationary split systems, the compressor of mobile devices is located in the indoor unit. Therefore, if you decide to buy a mobile split system, you should consider that this is a rather noisy device.

In any case, the Mister Climate company wishes you good luck and pleasant shopping and hopes that our advice will help you choose the best air conditioner option.