Split system air conditioners, selection and installation
The climate is changing dramatically and air conditioning is becoming vital. Consider, in this article, all the nuances associated with the selection and installation of split systems.
Content
- What is a split system? video
- Who should install split systems? video
- Do you need approval for the installation of a split system?
- Indoor unit split system
- Outdoor unit split system
- Power Preparation
What is a split system?
An air conditioner, which consists of two separate units, one of which is internal, and the second external is a split system.
Between themselves, these blocks are connected by copper tubes, refrigerant circulates through these tubes, from one block to another.
And these two blocks were divided in order to remove noise from a running compressor.
The compressor, together with the heat exchanger-condenser and the fan blowing it, were combined into one unit and removed to the street, let it make noise there.
The indoor unit is quieter, it contains a heat exchanger-evaporator, fan and air filters.
All split systems differ only in indoor units, they are: wall, floor-ceiling, duct, cassette.
The most common and easily mounted models are split systems with wall blocks.
If the split systems include only one indoor and one outdoor unit, such an air conditioner cools only one room.
There are also multi-split systems.
Such systems have one outdoor unit (more powerful) and several indoor units.
Such an air conditioner, at the same time, serves several rooms, naturally and costs more.
Split systems have an urgent problem of condensation formation, for modern units, water flows into the catchment tray, then it is discharged through the drainage channel to the street or sewer.
In addition to this problem, split systems also have the following: since the blocks are installed separately and then connected together, installation is complicated.
And the quality of installation is of great importance.
For effective and long-term operation of the air conditioner, this is an important point.
In addition, you live next door to other people.
In order not to lose good neighborly relations, when installing an air conditioner, consider not only your amenities, but also the amenities of your neighbors.
Who should install the split system?
Do not try to save on installation costs, remember (avaricious pays twice).
The layman can reduce his work to a wide variety of problems: this is the current drainage on the head of a neighbor, the leak of freon and serious damage to the unit.
So we understand that installation of split systems - It’s not an easy task and we will entrust this work to the installation team.
The modern market has a huge selection of models of split systems, most companies sell air conditioners and offer installation services.
This is the best option, we advise you to use it, since in case of malfunctions, such issues are resolved more easily.
Although, in principle, you can choose another installation organization.
However, manufacturers of air conditioners strongly recommend using the services of authorized companies that work with equipment of a certain brand.
Such companies produce quality work and do not disappear without a trace, like one-day firms.
Manufacturers, usually on their websites publish contact numbers of their installation organizations, they work throughout Russia.
Do you need approval for the installation of a split system?
Since the outdoor unit does not differ in exquisite design, it can spoil the appearance of the facade of buildings, make a lot of noise, condensation drips, thereby irritating neighbors and can even harm the building.
Until 2011, approval was required for the installation of an outdoor unit throughout Russia.
However, after the hot summer of 2010, it was allowed to install split systems in Moscow without any approval, with the exception of houses belonging to the cultural heritage: on such houses, the installation of air conditioning is allowed from the courtyard.
But the housing department has the right to verify compliance with the installation of the air conditioner standards.
If the rules are not met, the owner must fix everything at his own expense.
In the regions of Russia, everywhere issues are resolved in different ways: in some regions, coordination is required, in others - no.
But it should be noted that basically, the local administration looks at installing split systems through the fingers.
But everything goes peacefully, if the air conditioner is installed reasonably and does not bother anyone, i.e. There are no complaints to the administration.
Indoor unit split system
The indoor unit has a certain weight, so it must be mounted on a solid wall.
Practice shows that it is better to mount it higher, but be sure to leave a place for air intake.
There should not be any obstacles in front of the exhaust air, when choosing a place, it is necessary to take into account the distance to the outdoor unit, take into account the trajectory of future pipes.
Each model has its own installation features, taking into account the height differences between the blocks, has individual requirements for the length of the path between the blocks.
The air conditioner indoor unit must be freely accessible, as it must be kept clean, filters must be cleaned and replaced.
When installing the unit, it is necessary to take into account the direction of the cold air, it is better to arrange it so that the cold does not fall directly on people.
Outdoor unit split system
Particularly carefully choose a place for mounting the outdoor unit.
The effectiveness of the work, the safety of the air conditioner, the comfort of the owners and neighbors depends on the result of the choice.
The outdoor unit can be mounted on the wall of the building or on the side of the balcony, if the balcony is not glazed, it can be installed on the balcony.
The weight of the unit is decent, it creates vibration during operation, this requires a rigid and durable surface.
The outdoor unit is mounted on brackets.
Of fundamental importance is the installation of the block strictly horizontally, the block body must have a gap between it and the wall, there should not be any protrusions and obstacles that impede air exchange in the vicinity.
Do not install the unit near the windows of neighboring apartments, otherwise the noise and warm air from the air conditioner will cause neighbors' complaints and claims of the housing department.
Withdraw the drainage channel so that water does not interfere with anyone.
Many residents, if possible, install blocks on blind walls, this will protect against noise.
But such an installation and subsequent maintenance of the air conditioner will be more expensive, and the air conditioner requires service.
To prevent exposure to the sun and water, install a visor above the outdoor unit.
Power Supply Preparation
Since the air conditioner is a powerful equipment, it creates a significant load on the network, so it is impossible to power the air conditioner from the general network.
It is necessary to prepare a separate circuit breaker with a wiring line for powering the air conditioner.
The air conditioner must be earthed, it is necessary to protect the device from voltage surges.
Inverter models are particularly vulnerable to voltage drops, i.e. A reliable surge protector is required.
But it should be noted that at startup, inverter models consume a small starting current, but ordinary split systems, at startup, consume a current 8 times the nominal current.
