Installing an air conditioner is a rather painstaking task that requires certain knowledge and skills. Of course, the operating instructions indicate everything point by point: what, after what and in what sequence it is necessary to install, but it is still better to entrust such work to professionals – this will not only save time, but also extend the service life of your climate control equipment several times. However, before purchasing and installing an air conditioner , namely a split system, you should understand some of the nuances.
What is the difference between an air conditioner and a split system?
In modern society, the word “air conditioner” implies a split system, but this is not entirely true. These two types of equipment are basically very similar and both are designed to control the climate in the room, but there are some differences, namely:
Air conditioner
It usually consists of one block, which is mounted in the window opening, it is designed to filter and cool the air in the room. Unlike a split system, it makes much more noise. There are also mobile air conditioners (floor and wall), the location of which can be changed at your discretion.
The disadvantages of air conditioners are: large size and high noise level. The advantages include a fairly low cost and ease of self-service.
Split system
Consists of two or more units (external and internal). The external unit is mounted outside the premises (on the street), the internal unit of the climate system is installed inside the premises (there are floor, wall, ceiling). The units are connected to each other by an electric wire and a freon line.
The main difference between a split system and an air conditioner is the ability to heat the air in the room, while an air conditioner can only cool the air. Also, this type of climate control equipment is more powerful and productive, making much less noise than an air conditioner. In addition, the split system is controlled remotely (using a remote control), most modern models of split systems provide climate control, temperature control, air flow direction and others. Some models of this equipment have a smart control option, which many will appreciate.
Installation of air conditioning equipment after repair
If you decide to renovate your apartment and then install a split system, you should understand how to install an air conditioner so that you don’t regret ruining your wallpaper and walls later.
When installed, the internal unit of the split system is attached to the wall using special fasteners using anchors, for which it will be necessary to drill holes.
To install a split system, it is advisable to install separate electrical wiring.
A freon line and an electric wire are laid from the internal block to the external one. Of course, these communications can be laid in a special box, but it should be understood that the appearance of the interior will be slightly spoiled.
A drainage hose is also laid from the internal unit of the split system, which is connected to the sewer, but most often it is taken outside, and for this purpose a hole is drilled in the wall.
From the above, we can conclude that it is best to install a split system either before or during renovations, as it is at these moments that it is possible to lay the communications of the climate control equipment in the wall, thereby not spoiling the appearance of the room.
Choosing a split system for a house or apartment
Before choosing and installing an air conditioner in a room, you should understand their features and differences. Split systems differ not only in size and design, but also in cooling capacity (power). You can decide on the design of the equipment yourself based on your personal preferences and the interior of the room, but regarding the power, it is best to consult with a specialist or pay special attention to the technical characteristics specified in the documentation for the device.
- So, what should be taken into account when purchasing air conditioning equipment:
- The exact area of the room in which it is planned to install the split system;
- Which side does the window face? For example, if the window faces south, it is better to take more powerful equipment, since the room will heat up more in the heat;
- How much equipment is in the room that is constantly working and emitting heat, and all devices should be taken into account (refrigerator, kettle, TV, computer, etc.);
- Are there blinds or curtains on the windows;
How many people are in the room at any given time?
It should be noted that if the sales consultant does not try to find out about these nuances when buying, we recommend that you turn around and look for a more qualified salesperson in another store, since you risk buying a split system that is completely unsuitable for your premises and the likelihood that it will quickly fail will increase significantly. In good companies that sell climate control equipment, you will be offered a specialist who will come to your home, study all the nuances, take measurements of the room and only after that, they will be able to select suitable equipment for you.
How to install an air conditioner
Of course, installing a split system with your own hands is quite possible, but doing it according to all the rules and regulations is quite difficult, in addition, special expensive equipment will be required for installation, so it is best to trust the professionals, however, this does not mean that there is no need to know how to install an air conditioner.
The first step is to install the internal unit of the split system. Let’s look at how exactly this happens step by step:
First of all, you should install separate electrical wiring from the electrical panel to the air conditioner, especially if your building was built in the 80s – 90s and the wiring has not been changed since then. The fact is that the lowest-power air conditioner consumes 1.5 kW per hour. And if you add a refrigerator, electric kettle, boiler and other devices to it, this can lead to constant blowing of fuses and even to wiring fires, so it is best to install a separate electrical wire and install circuit breakers on the electrical panel to avoid excessive load on the wiring in the entire room.
Next, they make markings strictly according to the level, observing certain heights. And drill holes in the wall, attach a special metal plate. Onto which the indoor unit of the air conditioner is then attached.
After the indoor unit is installed, markings are made for the freon line with a slope of 3-5 degrees towards the facade wall, and the location of the hole for the drainage hose outlet is also outlined.
The external unit of the air conditioner is installed, as a rule, it is placed under the window. In a place convenient for subsequent maintenance. The unit is attached to brackets using anchors. Here is one nuance: in order to prevent the external unit from being flooded with water from the roof. So that it is not damaged by icicles in the winter, it is recommended to mount a metal canopy over it – this will protect the equipment not only from premature failure, but also from excessive external contamination, for example, from bird waste.
The next step
Is to lay the freon line, which consists of two copper tubes packed in thermal insulation. As well as an inter-unit electric wire, in some cases a power supply wire is additionally laid. When laying the cable channel, a building level is used, thanks to which the required slope is observed. First of all, a drainage hose is laid, which should not be bent or twisted in any way. Its free end is led into the sewer or from the facade wall to the street with a length of about 1.5 meters. After that, copper tubes packed in thermal insulation are laid and also led out through an opening in the facade wall with a free edge 1-1.5 meters long. Next, the inter-unit wire is laid. All communications are immediately connected to the indoor unit.
After the freon line is laid and connected to the internal unit of the split system. The copper tubes and inter-unit wire are connected to the external unit of the air conditioner.
When the work on installing the air conditioning equipment is completed, all debris, dust. Packaging material are removed and the split system is vacuumed and filled with refrigerant. This work is carried out using special equipment and the mandatory presence of scales. In this case, scales are necessary to measure the required amount of freon for the purchased split system model. After vacuuming and filling are completed, the air conditioning equipment can be turned on and tested.
Maintenance of split system
It should be noted that for normal operation and to avoid premature failure of the climate control equipment. Not enough to install it correctly. It is necessary to know that any equipment requires proper care and the split system is no exception. So it is recommended to know how to clean the split system at home.
In order for the climate control equipment to work properly and for a long time, it should be cleaned regularly. Of course, you can call a specialist for this and pay him money for it. But this is not at all necessary, since every housewife can clean the split system.
Under the cover of the internal unit of the split system there are filters (grids).
As a rule there are two of them, when the air conditioner is turned on daily. It is recommended to wash them at least once a week. To do this, just carefully take them out and rinse them thoroughly under running water. Then leave them to dry in the fresh air or on a windowsill. Never dry the filters on heating devices or with a hair dryer. As these manipulations can deform them and you will have to buy new filters.
There is a radiator under the filter grids, it also needs to be cleaned. However, it is quite difficult to do a thorough cleaning on your own. But you can superficially clean the radiator using an ordinary household vacuum cleaner. To do this, turn on the vacuum cleaner at full power and remove dust from the radiator.
It is recommended to carry out a major cleaning of split systems once a year. For this purpose, it is better to contact professionals who will thoroughly wash. The internal and external units of the air conditioner. In addition, they will carry out antifungal treatment and disinfection of the internal parts of the climate system.
