You yourself have probably already noticed that recent years differ markedly in weather conditions and outside temperature... Indeed, the summer is getting hotter and hotter every year, and in the off-season there is always unforeseen weather. In this regard, the demand for air conditioning systems in the home has grown significantly, and you probably also decided to buy a suitable device for cooling the room. Not sure how to choose an air conditioner for an apartment or house in 2018? Next, we will provide you with useful tips at the choice of an inexpensive, but good air conditioner in terms of room area and functionality!
First, let's take a quick look at what types of devices exist today. So, in a home appliance store, you can find the following types of air conditioners for an apartment and a house:
There are also varieties of the listed air conditioners. They mainly relate to split and multi-split systems. External and internal blocks can be not only wall-mounted, but also duct, cassette and even columns. We did not consider them, tk. for a house and an apartment, it is not rational to choose such a cooling system option. This is due to the high power of the equipment, the increased cost and complexity of the installation. Such variants of air conditioners can be used in commercial premises and office buildings, but not in everyday life!
Overview of existing designs
We have told you which air conditioner is better to choose for an apartment and a house. Now let's go deeper into this topic and tell you how to choose the right air conditioner in terms of power, which is closely related to the area of the rooms. It would be more correct to call a specialist who will make an accurate calculation depending on the area of the room, the size of the windows, the structural features of the housing, etc. If you do not want to spend extra money and are confident in yourself, you can calculate the required system capacity yourself. The calculation formula is that at least 1 kW of power is needed for 10 square meters of premises. In total, if you want to choose an air conditioner for a bedroom with a square of 20 m 2, the appliances must be at least 2 kW, and at the same time, a 5 kilowatt air conditioner is required for 50 squares.
Video instruction on the correct selection of parameters
The rest of the conventional values for choosing a household air conditioning system by the area of the room can be viewed in this table: 
A very important point to pay attention to is the manufacturer of the equipment. The service life of the device, ease of use, performance and, of course, the price will depend on which brand you prefer. We recommend that you choose a 2018 air conditioner from the following manufacturers (brand rating by price and quality):
So we provided. Now you know which brand is better and, accordingly, more expensive.
Well, the last thing you should pay attention to yourself when choosing a good air conditioner for a house and an apartment is what set of functions it contains. So, the 2017-2018 models may include the following features:
Finally, I would like to highlight the 10 best air conditioners for an apartment and a house. The rating of the models was compiled based on customer reviews and ratings. So, if you do not know which air conditioner to choose in 2018, so as not to overpay and be happy with your purchase, we recommend that you pay attention to the models provided below.
The best air conditioners up to 20,000 rubles:
If you are ready to spend over 20,000 rubles, we recommend choosing one of the rating participants provided below:
That's all the recommendations for choosing the optimal model of equipment. We hope that the several valuable tips provided above were really useful for you and now you know how to choose an air conditioner for an apartment and which one is better in 2018 in terms of power, floor space, brand.
Related materials:
How to choose an air conditioner is a multifaceted task, the solution of which, given the variety of climatic equipment on the market, should be entrusted to professionals. However, the advice of the specialists of the company "Venkon" will help everyone who intends to buy an air conditioner, freely operate with the key parameters of the choice of the unit.
So, you have to choose an air conditioner. First of all, decide on its power, type and additional capabilities (functions).
The main “indicator” of the efficiency of any air conditioner is its capacity. From the right choice the power of the climatic device depends on the quality of the cooling obtained, the uninterrupted operation of the equipment and the service life.
It would seem that there is nothing complicated: for an area of 12 m², a unit with an indicator of 1 kW will be required. However, it is wrong to take into account only the area of the room. Work efficiency will also be affected by:
Each air conditioner has technical documentation, which indicates such an indicator as BTU / h. This parameter is responsible for the cooling capacity and can be displayed in the model name. Today, there is such a classification of capacities:
For more convenience, you can use the following list:
The choice of air conditioning devices is a difficult task and requires an individual approach. The purchase of a high-quality and economical air conditioner should be entrusted to professionals.
To select an air conditioner, power is the initial parameter. The correct selection of power depends not only on how comfortable it will be in the room, but also on whether the unit can stably and reliably cope with its duties. Lack of power will force the air conditioner to work almost constantly, which will increase power consumption and is guaranteed to lead to premature equipment failure.
In addition, when calculating the required power of the air conditioner, you should additionally take into account:
Based on the obtained value of the most important parameter - power, you can easily determine which air conditioner should be bought.
Depending on the place of application and power, air conditioners are divided into types:
Household air conditioners- power within 1.5-8 kW. Such units are designed mainly for work in one separate room of a house, apartment, cottage or office. Household units can be monoblock (window and mobile models). The most common are wall-mounted split systems or multi-split systems.
Semi-industrial air conditioners. Units with a capacity of up to 30 kW are designed for installation in cottages (country houses), large apartments, small shops and offices with an area of no more than 300 m². They are distinguished by increased reliability and a longer resource than household models. Distinguish between duct, ceiling, cassette, wall and combined (different types of indoor units are switched to one outdoor unit) models.
Industrial air conditioners - chiller-fan coil systems, precision, roof, cabinet, central models and VRF (VRV) multi-zone systems. Industrial air conditioners are installed in shopping centers, office complexes, sports facilities, server and office buildings. Some chillers have a capacity of up to 10,000 kW.
Pay attention when choosing a place to install the air conditioner, always take into account the location of people in the room or office. Or call us and we will tell you where to install it.
The variety of air conditioners allows you to purchase the most suitable model, depending on the area of the room, mounting method and design.
The most popular are split-system wall-mounted air conditioners. Such units are produced for everyday (household) and semi-industrial operation. Wall-mounted air conditioning equipment is the choice of 90% of buyers.
This climatic device consists of indoor and outdoor units (split system). The interior is mounted under the ceiling and often near the window. This allows you to reduce the material and labor costs of the installation several times. The air conditioner is controlled using a remote or wall-mounted remote control.
The outer part of the split system is located outside - this is an advantage, since this unit is quite noisy in operation.
This type of climatic technology is usually installed in industrial buildings. This is due to the fact that for installation, a sufficient ceiling height is required - 3 meters or more - after all, the device is mounted in the inter-ceiling space.
Place the main unit of the air conditioner (one or more), usually in the center of the ceiling. It is unobtrusive and capable of delivering air currents in several directions at the same time.
It is profitable to purchase cassette air conditioners for large rooms- only in this way material investments will be economically justified.
The essential advantages of this unit are the ability to supply fresh air from outside and the heating function. These options are available on most models.
Ducted air conditioners, like cassette air conditioners, are placed between the main and decorative ceilings. Powerful and efficient devices require special design and installation. Therefore, before purchasing this unit, you need to get quality advice and develop a climate system project.
This type of air conditioner is ideal for rooms where there are often large numbers of people. It has an external and internal part, as well as air ducts through which the conditioned air is distributed throughout the room. Important: one such system is able to cope with many tasks - dehumidification, cleaning or heating. In addition, only one duct air conditioner can effectively cool large rooms.
The main positive characteristics of floor and ceiling devices for air conditioning include:
The cost of floor and ceiling air conditioners is high, but justified by the quality.
A characteristic feature of the floor-standing air conditioner is its local placement - on the floor. This simplifies installation and maintenance by eliminating the need for special tools to access the equipment.
The floor-standing climate unit is no different from a standard split system: it has internal and external units, identical functions and a wide range of models. Ideal when using the heating function.
The ability to move freely is an undeniable advantage of a mobile air conditioner. This model has all the same options as the standard split system. For installation, only an opening in the wall (or in the window) is required for installing the corrugated pipe. This is necessary for the heated air to escape. The mobile air conditioner is operating from the mains.
As for the functions: the possibilities of mobile units are quite wide. Most models have filtration, air ionization, heating.
Specific differences include noise and high cost. In addition, almost all models have low power, which negatively affects performance. Despite this, a mobile air conditioner is an indispensable climatic device when it is not possible to install a stationary one.
We will help you find the right product
We have created a smart filter so that you can quickly and easily find the right equipment.
Area
Compressor type
Mode of operation
1 Area
Select the required area of the room, m2
The next step
2 Compressor type
Select compressor type
The next step
3 Mode of operation
Select the operating temperature for heating, up to ºС
Pick up
The column air conditioner has a rectangular shape, is mounted on the floor and is able to cool / heat up to 170 m². Outwardly, it looks bulky, therefore it is installed in spacious rooms: public catering kitchens, cinema halls, gyms.
The principle of air conditioning of column units is the same as in traditional split systems. The advantage of column-type air conditioners is simplicity and, at the same time, high performance.
Distinctive feature window air conditioner is its design. The product consists of one block, which combines all the necessary functions. This makes the air conditioner compact and simple. The device is mounted in a window or wall opening with access to the street.
Despite the fact that the unit is designed for small spaces, it is in great demand. This is due to its low price, and the possibility of reinstallation.
When planning to buy an air conditioner in Kiev, most consumers opt for split systems, which optimally combine parameters such as price, efficiency, ease of installation and operation.
This design allows you to take out the compressor - the most noisy and voluminous part of the unit, leaving a compact (often very stylish) wall unit in the room. At the same time, in addition to the wall unit, various internal units can be switched to the external unit - cassette, floor, channel or ceiling.
Knowing how to choose an air conditioner by type and power, it is important to remember the following: household units do not carry out ventilation (there is no air flow from the outside)! Household air conditioners use only the air that is in the room, and their efficiency directly depends on its tightness.
Buying an air conditioner today means getting at your disposal a multifunctional climate control unit that has many additional options:
When choosing an air conditioner, special attention should be paid to the presence and quality of the protection system. As a rule, household air conditioners in the budget segment have a minimum set of protective functions. With an increase in the class of the unit, its protection system becomes more complete and reliable. For example, "Restart" allows the air conditioner not only to turn on after an emergency power outage, but also to return to the previous mode. It will not be superfluous to monitor the leakage of freon and the condition of the filters. Current protection will allow diagnosing the state of the device, and automatic defrosting will prevent icing of the unit when operating in a temperature mode close to zero.
The climate technology segment is large and varied. Air conditioners occupy far from the last place in it. Depending on the functions, there are:
The entire range can be roughly divided into three categories:
We have selected the most interesting and popular models of air conditioners. More detailed characteristics can be found with our specialists.
Inverter air conditioners, the price of which is slightly higher than conventional models, have an important advantage - they consume up to 30% less electricity during operation! This can be achieved by smoothly changing the frequency (speed) of the compressor revolutions.
Moreover, buying an inverter air conditioner means purchasing a unit that operates on heat in winter period! For example, in the company "Venkon" you can choose an air conditioner that can operate at temperatures down to -20 ° C.
The choice of an air conditioner is fundamentally different from the choice of, for example, a refrigerator or TV. And the point here is not only in the specific parameters. It is not enough just to buy an air conditioner in Kiev with the required characteristics.
Good, even the best, parameters, advanced technology and multiple functions alone do not guarantee uninterrupted correct operation of the unit. The guarantee of high-quality work and the preservation of the manufacturer's warranty obligations in full is the installation of the air conditioner, carried out at a professional level.
The Vencon online store offers the best prices in Kiev and the region, as well as comprehensive service of the purchased units:
"Venkon" - quality and reliability of an air conditioner at an optimal price!
On the modern market there are hundreds of models of air conditioners. Choosing a split system for an apartment becomes a really difficult task. Selection criteria affect many parameters that affect the performance and durability of the air conditioner in a residential apartment. In addition, air conditioners are selected for a long period (at least 10 years), this is an expensive equipment, which also imposes a certain responsibility when choosing.
When determining which air conditioner to install in an apartment, one should start from the characteristics of the room itself. Climatic devices are designed for different areas. There is a difference in their installation and functionality.
Additionally, keep in mind that the conditioned air is dry. If a small child lives in the apartment, it is necessary to consider an additional source of air humidification.
Having identified the features and characteristics of the room, it is easier to understand which air conditioner is better to choose for an apartment. It is recommended to use the principle of "screening" when selecting a group of models that meet the requirements of future owners. After narrowing the circle of choice, it will be easy to decide.
"Conder" are installed in different ways. The market is releasing models that are placed on walls, windows, ceilings, floors and mobile versions. The choice should be based on the availability of free space, the buyer's budget and the requirements for the device. The most suitable for living conditions are the so-called wall split systems.... You can save money by choosing. It is not installed in the classical way, but the air conditioner can easily be moved to any room.
The power of the device directly affects its cost. Household split systems correspond to power from 2 to 4 kW. : for every 10 sq. an average of 1 kW of energy is consumed. An additional surcharge is made if there are a lot of heat-generating equipment, people in the room (the factors listed above). To calculate, you can use the calculator in the sidebar.
Manufacturers offer models with an impressive list of features. The number of possibilities also increases the price of the air conditioner. Standard set and functions:
Additional functions do not significantly affect the performance of the device, but increase the comfort of use:
If the buyer is not constrained in funds, you can choose a model with advanced functionality. In other cases, the standard options work just as well. Read more in a separate article.
When choosing a device, one should distinguish between inverter and non-inverter (traditional) models. The principle of operation of a modern inverter air conditioner allows you to save energy, improve reliability and reduce noise. When such a "split" operates, the power of its compressor changes smoothly, during which the temperature in the room is maintained more accurately.
The price for such air conditioners is higher than for traditional on / off models. Read more about these technologies in the article "".
You can decide which company to choose a split-system for an apartment in a simple way... In specialized companies and on the websites of online stores, there is a conditional distribution of brands by price category. Having determined for yourself how much money you are willing to allocate for the purchase of a device, you can understand what characteristics the device will have:
Greetings, comrades! Today I will talk about how to choose an air conditioner for an apartment. To my surprise, not a single article I read about climate technology explains what characteristics of an air conditioner indicate it real performance and profitability. I decided to fix the situation and write such an article myself.
Let's start with the principle of operation of any heat pump. The air conditioner belongs to this category of devices, since it is designed to transport heat energy between the street and the house.
The full cycle of work consists of four stages:
Inexpensive mobile air conditioners cannot change the direction of refrigerant circulation and work only for cooling, taking heat from the indoor air and transporting it outside. Almost all modern window air conditioners and split systems are capable of working for both cooling and heating.
Regardless of the form factor and manufacturer, air conditioners have several common features:
A window air conditioner installed indoors will not cool the air. Taking into account the heat generated by the compressor, it will heat it up.
What can be the layout of the air conditioner?
Monoblock with evaporator and condenser in one housing. Placed in a window, window or opening in outside wall... The condensate collected on the evaporator is discharged outside.
Dignity:
disadvantages:
Price: at the beginning of 2017 - from 8,000 rubles.
This is also a candy bar, but it is arranged differently. The air is blown through the condenser by a fan and discharged outside through a corrugated plastic hose with a diameter of about 100 mm.
The condensate collected on the evaporator can be disposed of in one of two ways:
The condensate tank full detector is a conventional spring-loaded pushbutton switch. As soon as the weight of the container overcomes the elasticity of the spring, the compressor is switched off.
Dignity:
disadvantages:
Price: from 12,000 rubles.
Heat exchangers are divided into two blocks - internal and external. The indoor unit contains only heat exchanger, fan and control circuits; in the external, besides the heat exchanger, there is a compressor. The blocks connect the copper lines for freon and the power wire.
Dignity:
disadvantages:
Price: from 12,000 rubles.
All inexpensive air conditioners start the compressor when the temperature sensor readings differ from the set temperature. As soon as the air has warmed up or cooled down to the set value, the compressor and fans are stopped.
This scheme of work has several serious disadvantages:
An inverter air conditioner is free from these disadvantages due to a different operating mode: thanks to double conversion of current (alternating to direct and back with frequency modulation), it can reduce the power consumed by the compressor, adjusting it to the current demand for the thermal power of the device.
A side effect of the inverter power supply to the compressor has become an increase in energy efficiency: inverters with the same thermal power consume one third less electricity, saving you money. The lower limit of the outdoor temperature when working for heating has shifted downward and reaches -25 ° C in the best models.
The vast majority of inverters are manufactured in a split-system form factor. Among window appliances, inverters are very rare, and among mobile air conditioners, they are absent from the word "absolutely".
An inverter air conditioner is better than a start-stop system in all respects except cost. Two devices with the same heat output and functionality, produced at the same enterprise, will differ in price by one and a half times.
This is the name of a set of one external unit and several internal ones. The temperature in multiple rooms with indoor units can be independently controlled. There is only one limitation: the operating mode of the air conditioner (cooling, heating, ventilation or dehumidification) is common to all.
So, what are the criteria for choosing an air conditioner for an apartment?
It is better to choose a window air conditioner if:
A mobile air conditioner is a smart choice for a rented home or dormitory. It is easy to transport and can be installed in any room.
For a stationary installation in your own apartment, the choice is obvious - a split system.
If you plan to use the appliance only for air conditioning during the peak of the summer heat, you can look at inexpensive "start-stop" split systems and window air conditioners without heating.
In practice, the heating mode is very useful in the off-season and on cold summer days. I already wrote that an air conditioner is many times more economical than any heater.
For constant cooling operation throughout the summer and when using an air conditioner as a heating device in winter (both are practiced in warm regions of the country), an inverter split system is purchased. Thanks to its cost effectiveness, your purchase will pay off within two to three seasons.
How to choose the right heat output of the air conditioner?
It is customary to indicate it in obscure British thermal units (BTU). One BTU is the amount of heat that can increase the temperature of one pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.
Typically, the heat output in BTU is linked directly to the area of the room:
When working for cooling, you can focus on these figures, but when using an air conditioner as a heating device, you cannot.
The fact is that many factors in addition to the area affect the need for a room for heat:
Suppose that the heat engineering calculation gave us a heating power of 3.5 kilowatts. How to choose an air conditioner for an apartment that meets its heat needs?
Have inverter air conditioners the value of the heat output is not constant, but changes depending on the operating mode of the compressor. The technical documentation always indicates the rated power, but the minimum and maximum values are often not advertised.
Three parameters indicate the energy efficiency of the device:
The COP and EER values are always different: COP is slightly higher. The fact is that during the operation of the compressor, a noticeable amount of heat is generated, which is absorbed by the refrigerant.
The energy efficiency class allows you to weed out the least economical appliances. However, all air conditioners with EER above 3.2 and COP above 3.6 are combined into the highest class A.
Class A includes best models"Start-stop" air conditioners and almost all modern inverters. In the best inverters, COP reaches 4.9-5.2, EER - 4.2-4.5.
If these parameters are not specified in the documentation, you can calculate them yourself. The instruction is ridiculously simple: divide the rated heat output of the air conditioning system in the appropriate mode by its electrical output.
The actual values of EER and COP vary depending on the temperature difference between the heat exchangers of the air conditioner. In the cold and with high temperature in the room, when the split system is operating on heating, COP can drop from the nominal 4.2 to 2.2. At a high outside temperature and +16 in the apartment, EER will also decrease by a couple of times relative to the nominal value.
The choice of an air conditioner for an apartment is often influenced by a set of minor functions of the device. It is worth paying special attention to the following options:
When the air conditioner is running on heating, I set the timer so that it warms up the air by the time I wake up. In the evening, he turns off shortly before lights out.
For the indoor unit, the norm is 30 dB or less. The best air conditioners make noise no louder than 19 dB.
A reasonable maximum noise level of the outdoor unit is 45 dB. At higher volume, its operation will be heard through closed windows.
The last stage is the choice of a manufacturer.
Disputes about which air conditioner to choose have been going on in thematic forums for more than a decade. The rating tables on the web are a dime a dozen. I will not bore you with abstract reasoning and will just share my own experience in operating split systems.
| Picture | Manufacturer and comments |
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Lg: middling. It does not shine with either efficiency or functionality: the best inverters have COP no higher than 4 at a minimum operating temperature of -5 degrees. But LG split systems can boast of reliability: I have never come across a breakdown of one of them. |
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Carrier: reliable, functional, uneconomical. The inverter purchased in 2016 for the children's room pleased with the richness of the operating mode settings and disappointed with the low COP and EER values (3.6 and 3.25, respectively). In addition, the air conditioner does not turn on after a power outage. All modern split systems after a power outage are able to return to the last operating mode. |
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De longhi: good quality air conditioners, for some reason not appreciated by the Russian market. With an average functionality and economy, these devices, according to my personal statistics, rarely fail. |
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Midea: another representative of the middle level. In Midea air conditioners, first of all, low cost and efficiency are attractive (for the only “start-stop” air conditioner installed in my house, COP is not inferior to inexpensive inverters and is equal to 3.61). The disadvantages I would write down an inconvenient and cumbersome remote control with indistinct designations of button functions. |
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Samsung: in terms of characteristics - above average, in terms of workmanship - fierce horror. Both air conditioners purchased two years ago (by your humble servant and his neighbors) are out of order: one during the warranty period, the other immediately after its expiration. Moreover, the body of the indoor unit changed color for the first year and turned from snow-white to yellow. I do not recommend it. |
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Gree and devices manufactured at the factories of this company under other brands - Tosot, Cooper & Hunter. Rating: great. Inexpensive air conditioners (at the time of purchase in 2012-2013, inverters with a capacity of 9-12 thousand BTU cost 20-24 thousand rubles) please with the absence of breakdowns and high energy efficiency (COP 4.2-4.95). Indoor units in automatic fan speed control mode are practically silent. Filters can be easily removed for cleaning. The total experience of continuous (I emphasize: round-the-clock and year-round) work of the senior of the air conditioners is 4 years. |
In the summer, the air conditioners in my house work for cooling: in Sevastopol, where I live, the temperature is +30 and above from June to August. In winter, they are also responsible for heating the house.
I hope that I was able to answer all the questions of the dear reader. Additional materials you will find, as always, in the video in this article. I look forward to your additions to it. Good luck, comrades!
