How to choose an air conditioner

1. Types of Room Air Conditioners

First you should to determine what type of air conditioning you need and where you will install it. There are different types of air conditioning: window, portable, split-system, etc. The most common of them is the split-system (one outdoor unit and one indoor unit). Modern air conditioning split-systems generally work both in cooling and heating modes (so-called "winter-summer").

If you need a modern and multi-functional air conditioning, you can set your choice on a split-system (typically mounted on the wall), which consists of the external and internal units. The installation location can be chosen optional, and the external power is quit compact and fits any decor. Split-system air-conditioners are notable for low noise; they have a remote control which helps to select working features, etc. For example: cooling, heating, dehumidification mode, auto mode, etc. The majority of the air-conditioning of the system has a timer that allows you to set on and off time.

2. Air-conditioning power

Air-conditioners usually have two power indicators you should take attention to when buying. This is power consumption and cooling capacity. The extension of these facilities is about 1:3. You should choose cooling capacity of air-conditioning for each particular room. Cooling capacity 1 kW standard conditions is sufficient for an area of ​​8 m2 (usually air-conditioner cooling capacity is given in BTU, 1 W = 3,412 BTU). Helping this simple formula you should include the presence in the room such working technology as a television, computer, printer, etc. (at the average 0.5 kW is added for each item in this case). Other factors also need to be considered (windows location and width, the number of occupants). In the unusual situations it is better to leave the air-conditioning to the choice of a specialist. When choosing an air-conditioning with capacity below the required it will need more time to cool the air, the unit will operate continuously at maximum capacity, the noise level and power will increase and eventually the air conditioner will fail quickly.

If we want the power control happen automatically with a glance of the temperature in the room, we have to purchase air-conditioning with inverter motor. When the specified temperature is achieved, the air-conditioning will operate at low power in economy mode and will maintain this temperature. The inverter air-conditioning is more economic in compared with the standard for 30-35% and has a longer service life.

3. Heating mode

Besides the basic cooling function modern air-conditioning can also heat the air. In most cases the heating power is a little more than the cooling power. For example: if the cooling power is 12,000 BTU, the heating power can be 12,500 BTU.

The heating process in the air-conditioning is the reverse process of cooling that means the indoor unit giving off the heat, and the outside one giving off the cold. The air-conditioner has the outdoor unit temperature range. Therefore, you should choose a conditioner that will work in the acceptable conditions. Air-conditioning with the outdoor temperature range min -4 0C, max +40 0C, min -10 0C, max +40 are more spread in our system.

4. Humidity dehumidification.

In the conditions of the excess moisture an air-conditioning with the dehumidification mode is indispensable. It drains the excess moisture in the room and creates comfortable environment. During dehumidification the condensation from the cooled air is taking place on the surface of the evaporator. Such conditioner is useful in places where rain is a common occurance and humidity is increased.

5. Clearing the air.

They use different filters in modern air-conditionings, which filter the air from dust, bacteria, odor, etc. Primary purification filter (screen filter) clears the air from fine dust particles. It is washed and cleaned when dirty (on average once every 4 weeks). Additionally, there are electrostatic, coal, bio filters, silver ion, catechine (with green tea extract), vitamin C, etc. Using these filters the air is cleaned from germs and odors, for example, cigarettes smoke. These filters are usually used in Split System units. Service of the filter lasts from 6 months to 2 years or more. There are air-conditionings with ionizer. The ionizer is located in the indoor unit on the bottom of a fan. Ions are generated by the high discharge between the electrodes of the generator, through which the air passes. Then they released a fan in the room and collide with molecules of odors and pollution, and then they neutralize them and destroy the shells of the bacteria.

 6. Air flow control.

When choosing air-conditioning we should remember that the ability to control the flow of air force and its direction is a big plus. Parameter varying helps us to create a comfortable environment. The strength of the air flow is measured in cubic meters per hour or per minute, and shows us the speed and air passing through the indoor unit. The greater the number, the greater the force of the air flow. More often they use 3 speed of air flow in air conditioning; “turbo” mode (increased flow) is added in some cases. We can also vary the direction of air flow with the aid of vertical and horizontal blinds. When cooling the air flow should be directed up (the flow should not be directed to the person), and when heating - down, as the heat rises to the top. Basically horizontal blinds control in split system air-conditioning is possible automatically up and down, and the vertical blinds can be adjusted manually.

7. Automatic mode.

Most split system air conditioners have an automatic mode, when it is activated the mentioned temperature, the force of the air flow is controlled and the mode is selected automatically. When air-conditioning is working in traditional cooling or heating mode, we can adjust both the temperature and the strength of air flow. When automatic mode is on air-conditioning adjusts the air flow itself depending on the difference between the set temperature and the actual temperature in the room. If the difference is large, the power of the air flow increases, respectively, if small - it is reduced. Also air-conditioning selects the mode (cooling /heating) in accordance with the specified and the actual temperature. If the specified temperature is more than the actual temperature in the room, the heating mode is going on, and if the temperature is less than the actual temperature – the cooling mode is being activated.

8. Additional features and technologies

Split system air-conditioning may differ by design, functions and technologies. They can be with inverter control (as stated above), with the ionizer, etc. A condenser in some air conditioners (in the external unit) can be aluminized or gold plated (technology ,,Golden Tech"), which protects from the rust. Modern air conditioners are controlled by the remote control, sing which we can control the temperature, indicate the mode, time on/off, activate other additional functions.