A modern office is, perhaps, quite difficult to imagine without an air conditioner. And private consumers are increasingly installing split systems in their homes and apartments. If you, too, decided to follow their example, then you can probably go about the installation process yourself. However, first you need to familiarize yourself with the technology and some installation principles, this will be discussed below.
Installation features
Before you start installing a split system, you should familiarize yourself with some of the nuances of carrying out such work. By purchasing the appropriate equipment, you will spend a fair amount of money, so you should be interested in the question of how to save money during the operation of the system. For example, if a thermal contact persists between the hot and cold zones, this will increase energy consumption, because the compressor will need to drive heat inside the system, as well as pump refrigerant.
No debris or dust is allowed inside. The vacuum pump is a high-tech device. If a crumb of metal gets there, it will disable the equipment. Installation of a split system must be accompanied by ensuring complete tightness. Even if the smallest gaps remain, low-boiling liquids will be ready to evaporate.
The outdoor unit is located below the indoor unit. This will make the compressor easier to operate, as the thermosyphon effect will work. It is explained by the fact that the heated liquid will rush upward. If this requirement is not taken into account, then the compressor will overcome physical forces, and the electricity consumption will again increase. Dismantling and installation of the split system can be done independently. But for this, the outdoor unit must be located in a convenient place. In addition, it must be in the shade. If it is subjected to additional heating, then the costs will again fall on the shoulders of the owner.
The installation of the drainage pipe is also accompanied by the observance of certain rules. It should not bend upward. If the position of this node is similar to U, then this will become the cause of the source of infection, because the condensate will be a place for the emergence and development of fungus and microbes, the spores of which are in the air.
Types and options of installation
Installation of a split system in Azov and other cities can be done. Prices for such works are presented below. But if you plan to do them yourself, then you should know that air conditioners are made with separate units, one of them will be external, while the other will be internal. The latter is an evaporator, while the former is a compressor-condenser. These names are arbitrary, because modern models can cool and heat a room. In the latter case, the refrigerant condenses inside the unit in the apartment and evaporates outside. Therefore, the indoor and outdoor units are distinguished.
Considering expensive models, you should pay attention to the fact that there is a possibility of connecting several indoor units to one outdoor unit. Each of them can work separately for heating and cooling. Such a system, at a high cost at the time of purchase, in operation will be more economical, because heat exchange between rooms does not interfere, but helps the air conditioner.
Feedback on when is the best time to start editing. Opinions of home craftsmen on the features of preparation for work
According to home craftsmen, it is better to time the installation of a split system with a repair. This is due to the fact that the installation of such equipment is a rather serious task. In order to conduct an electrician, you will have to walk along many walls. If they already have cladding, then it is necessary to foresee the costs of new finishing in advance.
When home craftsmen are asked what preparation needs to be done before installing a split system, they answer that at the first stage it is necessary to take care of the availability of appropriate tools. Using improvised devices is not only not always convenient, but also unsafe, because with this outcome, the air conditioner may break down within a week.
To carry out the installation, you should prepare:
- puncher;
- armature detector;
- pipe cutter;
- set for flaring tubes;
- scraping;
- hand pump;
- Vacuum pump;
- phase indicator;
- pressure gauge.
Consumers emphasize that a set of bits must be supplied with the rock drill. You will have to make holes in the main wall. Their diameter should be 100 mm. Home craftsmen claim that they will also need an armature detector. If the wall is concrete, then you can get into the rods, so you have to look for a new hole.
Cutting the refrigerant pipes with a hacksaw is not worth it. For this, consumers are advised to purchase or borrow a pipe cutter. If you do not follow this rule, then copper chips will remain in the gap, it will quickly disable the compressor.
Flaring the tubes with improvised means is also not worth it. For this, a special set should be prepared. Otherwise, you will not be able to achieve tightness in any way. A good kit includes a pipe cutter and scraping tool. It is better to use a bicycle pump to check the tightness of the system. But for evacuation, the pump of the same name is suitable.
Installation diagrams and types
Installation of air conditioners / split systems is usually carried out according to typical schemes that are suitable for apartments, offices and residential premises. Preliminary arrangement of blocks and calculation of installation are carried out after the departure of a specialist. However, if you install it yourself, you can choose a scheme of your choice. The first of them provides for the installation of the indoor unit on a wall perpendicular to the window. But in the lower part of the latter, a corresponding block is installed outside.
The second scheme provides for the location of the external unit on the left side of the window, when viewed from the outside. The indoor unit remains in the same place. This installation of a multi-split system is suitable for the first and second floors. The distance between the windows must be sufficient for the location of the outdoor unit. Otherwise, it will need to be positioned, as in the first scheme.
If the window has an opening sash on the balcony, then the unit can be positioned to the left of the latter. The air conditioner remains in the same place from the inside. After that, you can start installing double-glazed windows and glazing the balcony. But if the glazing is already there, then the installation work can be complicated.
The external block, if there is a balcony, can also be located on its side. This is true if the width of the surface allows the connection of the freon line. The sash at the installation site of the outdoor unit must open if the balcony is glazed. Such a scheme is possible if the balcony parapet is made of capital materials, among them:
- concrete;
- brick;
- foam block.
The outside surface must be level and clean.
Outdoor unit installation instructions
You can independently install a split system. Installation should be carried out according to a certain algorithm. Work should begin with the installation of the outdoor unit. You can use homemade brackets for this. It is only important to make sure that the structure will be protected from direct sunlight in hot weather. In this way, installation and maintenance are straightforward.
To install the brackets, the glazing (if any) will have to be removed for a while. The roots of the brackets cut into the frame frame. If they are bent down, then it will be possible to do without struts, while the balcony sheathing will not have to be touched.
Indoor unit installation
The installation of the system in the apartment is carried out in the following order. First you need to determine the location of the structure. Next, the electrical wiring is laid, a hole is punched in the wall for laying communications. Do-it-yourself installation of a split-system, the instructions for the implementation of which are presented in the article, may well be carried out by you.
Methods of work
At the next stage, the technology provides for the preparation and laying of the pipeline. The blocks must be interconnected. The system should be checked for leaks. It is evacuated, filled, and then the power supply is connected. The split system must be tested. The inter-unit harness is insulated. The hole in the main wall is closed up.
For reference
If you do not feel the strength to do the installation yourself, then you can use the services of professionals. If you want to save money, you can purchase an air conditioner from the company that is engaged in the installation. Quite often, such companies provide a discount on installation work.
Cost of work
The cost of installing a split system will cost 4000 rubles if you purchase an air conditioner with a capacity of up to 3.5 kW. When the power rises to 7 kW, the cost rises to 4500 rubles. You can install a split system from 7 kW in power and above for 8000 rubles. The price of installing a split system usually includes the installation of outdoor and indoor units, the connection of structures to each other, as well as control communication. By paying the cost mentioned above, you will also receive a punching of one of the holes in concrete or brick.
Conclusion
Of course, you can do the installation yourself. But in this case, many suppliers will void the warranty. Therefore, it is better to entrust the matter to professionals.
In the past few decades, household air conditioners have become firmly established in our lives and have become common household appliances, as it happened before with other household appliances - refrigerators, food processors, etc. The air conditioner belongs to complex technical devices, the installation of which is usually entrusted to specialists. However, in some cases, when the services of specialized organizations are not available, and the owner of the home has sufficient skills, the installation of this unit can be done independently.
Varieties of household air conditioners
The whole variety of air conditioning systems can be divided into two main types - monoblocks and split systems.
The main distinguishing feature of monoblocks is the assembly of all units and assemblies in a single housing... These systems include:
- Window air conditioners, in which there is a separation of the units inside the housing, while the compressor unit is located on the back side and must go outside the room.
Installing a window air conditioner reduces the area of the window
- Cases of floor-standing or mobile air conditioners are equipped with wheels for free movement inside the room. Such systems have an air duct that is led outside, outside the room.
Floor standing air conditioners can be moved indoors
The advantages of monoblocks are directly related to the features of their design:
- Cheapness combined with a long service life.
- Simplicity of design and operation.
- These systems achieve the highest possible efficiency.
- Fast air cooling.
- Most modern systems are equipped with remote control panels.
Such systems are not devoid of a number of design flaws:
- The number of possible installation options is limited (either in a window opening, or in a place from which it is possible to bring out the duct sleeve).
- High noise level.
- The need to change the geometry of the window and fasten complex suspension units in the case of installing a window air conditioner, which entails additional costs.
- In the case of installation in a window opening, the illumination of the room is reduced.
The design feature of split systems is the division of air conditioning units into two units, one of which is a compressor, which is taken out into the street. Unlike monoblocks, split systems have more varieties, however, only some of them are used in residential premises:
- The most widely used wall devices are when a hairdryer or indoor unit is attached to the wall of the dwelling, and the compressor in the outdoor unit is brought out to the facade. Inverter and non-inverter models are distinguished as one of the types of such systems. In the first, the alternating current is converted into direct current, which makes it possible to adjust the compressor speed.
Split system hair dryer can be installed anywhere on the wall of the house
- Floor and ceiling systems are used less often. Their highlight is the ability to install a hair dryer either under the ceiling or on the floor. Accordingly, air flows in the first case will spread from top to bottom, and in the second - from the floor up.
Indoor block of floor and ceiling split system
- Another type is multisplit systems. Their design provides for the presence of one outdoor unit with a compressor and several indoor units, which are installed in different rooms of a house or apartment.
The multisplit system is optimal when it is necessary to air conditioning several rooms
The indisputable advantages of split systems include:
- Low noise level.
- Air purification function from bacteria and dust.
- The presence of a heating function in the cold season.
This is interesting: quite often the heating function is provided by manufacturers in modern monoblock systems, both window and mobile.
- The compact size of the indoor unit, which can be mounted in any room size.
- In many modern systems there is a function of dehumidification and humidification of air, which allows you to create a comfortable microclimate in the room.
Disadvantages of split systems:
- Their cost is higher compared to monoblock models.
- The need to carry out a large amount of specialized work, including facade, both during installation and when there is a need for repair and preventive maintenance.
Methods for installing air conditioners in an apartment
- Monoblock models of window air conditioners are now being purchased less and less. The reason for this is a significant increase in the percentage of installation of plastic and other windows with standard double-glazed windows in dwellings. It becomes difficult to change the geometry of the window opening, because such air conditioners are installed directly into the window unit so that the rear part with the compressor is outside the room. Such a system can be installed both in the lower part of the window, in this case, it rests on the window sill, and in the upper one, using brackets to the ceiling or wall.
- Mobile attachment systems are not required. The place of their installation is selected based on the possibility of removing the soft corrugated duct pipe outside the room. The technical solution to this problem is left to the discretion of the buyer.
- Installation options for split systems are more diverse. This is due to the numerous options for the interposition of the indoor and outdoor units and depends both on the wishes of the owner regarding the place of attachment of the indoor unit, and on the technical ability to fix both the external and the indoor units in a specific place. Of no small importance is the possibility of laying communications between the blocks. The optimal solution is usually based on a scheme in which the distance between the external and internal units is minimal. This solution allows you to minimize the amount of work associated with laying communications and allows you to save energy by reducing the heating that occurs during the circulation of the refrigerant.
Photo: the most commonly used layouts of the external and internal blocks of the split system
Cooking tools
If the decision to install the split system on your own is finally made, first of all, you should check the availability of the necessary tools and consumables. For the complete work you will need:
- Perforator with a drill with a cross section of 40–45 mm and a length of at least 800 mm.
- A set of victorious drills with a diameter of 6–12 mm.
- Screwdriver with a set of bits.
- Metal scissors and reamer.
- Ruler, pencil and building level.
- Adjustable wrench.
- Vinyl insulation, masking tape and plastic bags.
- Brackets for fixing the outdoor unit, bolts with dowels 120 mm long.
When deciding on self-installation, it is worth considering the degree of accessibility to the installation site of the outdoor unit. If it will be mounted at a significant height, you will have to include in the rental costs of the aerial platform.
How to install a split system with your own hands
- At the first stage, a split-system hair dryer is installed, that is, an indoor unit. The perforated steel panel on which it is mounted is removed from the back wall and attached to the wall where it will be installed. It is very important to make accurate leveling, after which the holes for the fasteners are marked. The presence of slopes is not allowed, as this will entail the pouring of condensate from the body onto the floor of the room. Another important point is that the distance to the ceiling should be left at least 7 cm. Holes are drilled in the wall with a puncher, after which the plate is attached using self-tapping screws and plastic dowels. Usually, dowels with a cross section of 8 mm and a length of at least 32 mm are used. After attaching the hair dryer unit to the latches, the horizontal accuracy of the fastening is checked again using a level.
The hair dryer is hung on a steel figured plate
- The next step is to prepare the communication channels. If a hidden gasket is to be used, you will have to make grooves using a hammer drill. However, such a solution entails the production of cosmetic repairs in the room. Therefore, at present, most often communications are hidden using a plastic box of a suitable section. With the help of a perforator and a drill, a hole is made in the outer wall for leading to the outdoor unit of the power and control cables, PVC tubes for draining condensate and tubes of the freon circuit. Marking is done using a ruler and a level. An important point: in order to ensure the drainage of condensate, the outlet must be slightly tilted towards the street. When drilling, it is worth using a vacuum cleaner and fixing a plastic bag directly under the hole with masking tape in order to avoid significant contamination on furniture and walls. If the length of the drill is not enough, drilling is done from both sides. In modern houses, the wall thickness rarely exceeds 1 m.
The hole is drilled with a slope towards the street
- After that, the most difficult stage begins - the installation of the street block. Since the compressor is located in this unit, it weighs more than 20 kg, and often the installation is carried out at a considerable height. Therefore, do not forget about safety measures, in particular, use safety equipment. Most often, the outdoor unit is mounted on the wall using L-shaped brackets. First, the location of the brackets is marked on the wall and holes are drilled. Then it is fastened with bolts and nuts using washers. The external block of the split system is bolted onto the brackets, while thick rubber gaskets are mounted under the legs to reduce vibration and noise.
The outdoor unit is mounted on L-shaped brackets
- As a possible option, the installation of the outdoor unit on the roof of the building or directly on the ground is used. In this case, U-shaped brackets or frame metal stands are used. Such a solution can significantly increase the length of communications and is used when it is impossible to mount the unit on the wall, for example, when the strength of the wall surface materials is insufficient.
- The next stage is the most crucial. In the course of it, communication is made between the external and internal units. First, the plastic protective cover on the outdoor unit is removed and, in accordance with the manufacturer's diagram, the power and control cables from the indoor unit are connected to the terminals using bolts. Then the length of the freon line is measured and the copper pipes are cut with a margin of 10 cm. The ends of the pipes are rolled and the chamfer is removed with a reamer. The copper pipeline is connected first to the external block, then to the hair dryer with an adjustable wrench using union nuts screwed onto the fittings in both blocks. Before the copper pipes are passed through the hole in the wall, vinyl thermal insulation is put on them, the ends are insulated with tape so that debris does not get inside. The drainage drain tube is also being installed; it is made of a corrugated PVC plastic pipe, which is attached to the block with plastic clamps.
- The last stage is the introduction of freon into the refrigeration circuit. First, the gas is removed from the circuit by opening the valve, followed by evacuation. The refrigerant is in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. The valves, with the help of which the freon is introduced into the system, are located in the same place. If the length of the contour is equal to or less than the data specified in the data sheet, the introduction of an additional volume is not required. Experienced craftsmen, before this operation, evacuate the circuit using a special pump with pressure gauges that allow you to control the pressure loss. These actions allow not only to check the tightness of the system, but also contribute to the maximum removal of moisture and air from the system, which reduces the load on the compressor.
- At the end of the work, the assembled split system is checked in all operating modes. There must be no vibration, the fans on the indoor and outdoor units must be rotating. There should be no foreign odors, the drainage should remove moisture. Of course, the air conditioner must fulfill its functions of both cooling and heating.
Before the introduction of freon into the system, the professionals perform the vacuuming of the circuit.
Video: installation of a split system without using an aerial platform
It is difficult to imagine an apartment that does not have air conditioning. As can be seen from what has been written, even this complex technique, if necessary, can be installed independently, without the involvement of a specialist.
Do-it-yourself air conditioner installation should start with choosing a place for installation. In fact, everything is not easy. It is necessary to consider:
So you have to solve a complex problem, trying to satisfy all the requirements and recommendations. Only in this case, the installation of the air conditioner with your own hands will be successful.
Let's start with the simplest: choosing a location for ease of use. The indoor unit must be placed so that the cooled air spreads throughout the room, but does not directly hit the bed, desk, chair. In principle, it is possible to redirect the flow using movable blinds, but it is much better to think about it first.
The most correct solution in this case is to place the air conditioner above the head of the bed, above or to the side of the table. In this case, the flow of cold air will "flow" around the place of rest or work, which is much more comfortable and less hazardous to health.
In addition, there are technical issues that must be foreseen before starting the installation of the air conditioner with your own hands. The indoor unit is connected to the outdoor unit using a copper pipe route and a control cable. The track connections are on the right (when looking at the unit from the front), but they can be bent so that they are on the left or below. These outlets are 30 cm long copper tubes.
Outputs from the outdoor unit of the split system (rear view)
The track is connected to them (by soldering or flaring), and the junction must be accessible for maintenance. Therefore, this section of the route is not hidden in the wall (in the gate), but covered with a decorative box. In this case, the track can be positioned in different ways - depending on which wall the indoor unit was hung on and where the outdoor unit is located in relation to it.
Block to the left of the outer wall
If the indoor block is located to the left of the outer wall, and the route goes straight, the minimum distance from the wall to the block is 500 mm (1 picture in the photo). It can be reduced to 100 mm if the track is wrapped on an adjacent wall, but its total length should not be less than 500 mm. If this is not possible, you can remove the bends on the left and lay the pipes in the groove (figure on the right). In this case, this is possible, since the junction of the leads and the route is obtained under the housing cover, so that it is accessible for repair and maintenance.
If cables, pipes, etc. cannot be pulled along the outer walls of the building. (so as not to spoil the appearance), you will have to lay the entire route indoors. A less expensive option is to hold it in the corner, covering it with special boxes. This arrangement is convenient, since then you can close the box with curtains.
The second option is more labor-intensive (it is more difficult for the strobe to be made), but from the aesthetic point of view, it is more advantageous - this is to transfer the output to the left side panel and put everything in the made recess.
On the wall to the right of the outside
This option can be called typical - it is a standard solution when choosing such a location. most often the route in the box is led directly into the wall, but if necessary, it can be lowered in the corner (also closed with the box).
If necessary, you can put it in a groove (the connection point is in the body). If the route cannot be drawn outside the building, it can be laid in a gutter indoors. The track may look like the last two photos in the previous chapter.
Where to identify the outdoor unit
In fact, it is not an easy task to choose a place for an outdoor unit. Not all buildings are allowed to be placed on the walls. In this case, there are only two outputs: install the outdoor unit of the split system in a specially designated place - air conditioning. If there is no such room, only a balcony or loggia remains. In such buildings, they are usually glazed, therefore, the placement of the block does not affect the appearance.
But in this case, it is necessary to provide for a system for cooling the equipment and removing exhaust air. If the balcony is spacious enough, for the entire time of its operation, windows are opened for ventilation or by providing fresh air in some other way. The solution is simple and straightforward, but it leads to overheating of the equipment, and this is fraught with breakdowns and frequent replacement of the damaged outdoor unit.
Balcony mounting is sometimes the only way out
Installing fans for more active air exchange can correct the situation a little. It is correct to fence off a small room, make it effective ventilation, separate ventilation ducts for the removal and supply of air. Moreover, they must be separate. This is done with the help of air ducts, which are removed instead of part of the glazing. In general, in this case, installing an air conditioner with your own hands is a problematic task precisely in terms of ensuring normal operating conditions for the equipment.
On the balcony or loggia
If there are no prohibitions on the placement of foreign devices on the walls of the building, usually the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is hung on the balcony railing (side or frontal) or on the wall, but so that it can be reached for maintenance - wash, clean, check, repair.
If the balcony is glazed, there should be an opening sash above it. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to service it. To protect against precipitation and objects that may fall out of the window, a visor is placed over the block. The choice of materials is something similar to a balcony trim or a white plastic visor, but only corpulent. It is better not to use hollow and metal (including corrugated board and metal roofing), since during rain they turn into a drum, and during hail they can generally deafen.
If the block is placed on a loggia, of all the above options, only the one in the picture on the right remains. It is inconvenient to place it next to the wall, except under the window, but this already refers to another section.
Another point: how to route the track - on the ceiling or on the floor? You will have to gouge in either case, but in the case of the floor, you may be making it from boards, then the pipes and cables connecting the outdoor and indoor units can be laid over the surface, but better - in a box.
Under or next to a window
In those rooms where there is no balcony or loggia, the outer part of the split system is hung on the outside wall. It is more convenient if it is located under the window or to the side of it. Moreover, under or next to the opening part. In this case, service is possible without calling a climber.
When installing the outdoor unit of the air conditioner with your own hands on the wall next to the window, consider the height of its installation. You can position the top surface of the block flush with the top edge of the window. In this case, leaning out of the window and insured, it will be possible to carry out work standing on the windowsill. The second option is to align the lower edge with the lower edge of the window opening. Here you can lie with your stomach on the windowsill, but you will not be able to reach the outlet of the pipes. That is, you still have to call industrial climbers.
What is required to install an air conditioner with your own hands
Those who install and connect the split systems professionally take about three hours to work on average. The cost of this service is considerable, and it is explained by the need to use expensive equipment. Good devices really cost a lot, but many of them can be replaced with simpler ones or rented. The only thing that will be difficult to find is a vacuum pump. This is really expensive specialized equipment, but there is technology to do without it. This is exactly what some installers do, who simply do not have such equipment - they simply bleed off some of the freon, cleaning the pipes. This method can be used for self-installation of a split system.
Necessary equipment and what can be used to replace it
What is necessary for a successful DIY installation of an air conditioner? First of all, you will need a certain set of tools. With their help, things will go faster. But if there is no special toolkit, it can be replaced with simpler devices. It will take longer to work with them, but if you try, this will not affect the quality. So, what is needed to install a split system:
- Powerful rotary hammer. A through hole must be made in the outer wall of a house or building through which copper pipes and cables connecting the indoor and outdoor units are led out. Also, through this hole, a drainage tube is brought out to drain condensate and excess moisture when the humidity is normalized. A hammer drill is not such a rarity, the only thing that can cause difficulties is the selection of the right nozzles. But this is already a matter of technology.
- A pipe cutter with a sharp blade. Split system blocks are interconnected with copper pipes. They are sold in bays, so they will have to be cut into pieces of the required length. If the pipe cutter blade is dull, the pipe edges will wrinkle or be jagged or jagged. This will have to be corrected with a file and a rimmer (special deburring device). The pipe cutter can be replaced with a hacksaw with a metal blade, and the edges can be leveled and deburred with a file (file), finally processing the edge to smoothness with sandpaper. Only when working, make sure that the hole to be machined is directed downward. This will prevent copper dust from getting inside the pipe (it can damage the inside of the air conditioner, so this is very important).
- Pipe bender or spring. To give the copper pipes the desired shape.
- Drill with drills of different diameters. It is needed in order to make holes for the mounting plate of the indoor unit and corners for installing the outdoor one.
- Flare tool and calibrator for copper pipes. This device is, of course, specific, but it costs little.
- Wall chaser. When laying a route in a groove (groove in the wall), this device significantly speeds up and simplifies the work. But you can get by with a regular chisel and a hammer / sledgehammer.
Well, as they said before, a vacuum pump is needed for a high-quality start of the system. There is nothing to replace it with, the only possibility is to release part of the freon on routes up to 6 meters long ("zilch" method).
In addition, you will need screwdrivers, hex keys, a level, a hammer, perhaps some other tools, but they are usually available on the farm or they are not difficult to find.
Materials and consumables
In addition to the tools for installing the air conditioner with your own hands, you will need a certain amount of materials. Many of them are indispensable.
As you can see, installing an air conditioner with your own hands requires serious preparation. You need not only a special tool, but also specific materials.
Installation of blocks
If you want to do everything right, do-it-yourself air conditioner installation should begin with a careful study of the instructions. Most of them are similar, but allowances, requirements for cable cross-section, route length, etc. may differ. Another plus from reading the manual is that you will definitely imagine in what order to perform the work. In general, here's what to do:
This completes the first stage of self-assembly of the air conditioner. Then we will lay the route.
Connecting blocks
The outdoor and indoor units of the split system are connected by two copper pipes and a cable. A drainage tube is also led out. All these communications can be laid on top of the wall, and then they fit into a special box. The second option is in the groove and then you need to make a groove that will connect the two blocks. But first of all, you need to drill a hole in the wall. This is done after the block fasteners have been installed. And only after that do-it-yourself installation of the air conditioner continues.
When stacked in a plastic box, all communications are tied into one bundle. This can be done with screeds, but more often they are wound with metallized tape - in order to further reduce the transfer of heat from copper pipes.
Connecting copper pipes
We have already connected the cable earlier, and the installation of the air conditioner with our own hands is being completed by connecting copper pipes, drainage. Drainage is easier. There is an outlet at the bottom of the indoor unit, so we insert a hose or pipe there. The junction can be additionally sealed using plumbing fum tape. You can also use silicone sealant for sealing.
Next, we connect the copper pipes. We start at the indoor unit. There are two ports on the side wall - one with larger diameter fittings, the other with smaller ones. Which one to start with is not important. The procedure is as follows:
Actually, everything is already connected, but you still need to vacuum or simply remove moisture and air from the working parts of the air conditioner.
Evacuation
Why carry out this procedure? During installation, air has entered the system, and argon residues are also contained there. This mixture must be removed, otherwise it will significantly reduce the working life of the equipment. Naturally, it is better if you have special equipment. But, in extreme cases, you can do without it.
With a vacuum pump
If there is a vacuum pump, everything is somewhat simpler. Two pressure gauges (low and high pressure) usually come with it; they can be used to track the pressure drop in the system, that is, to identify leaks. The vacuum pump is connected to the outlet on the external block with a spool (filling port), it turns on for 15-20 minutes. During this time, it removes the remaining air and nitrogen from the system.
After this time, the pump is turned off, but not disconnected, but left connected for another 20-30 minutes. All this time it is necessary to observe the readings of the manometers. If they have changed, there is a leak in the system. Most likely - this is the place where copper pipes are connected and they need to be repaired. If the readings of the pressure gauges are stable, without turning off the pump, fully open the valve located below. Freon begins to come out of the block, filling the system (noise is heard). We put on gloves and quickly unscrew the vacuum pump hose (freon can damage the skin). After disconnecting the equipment, open the valve on the track at the top (outlets with a smaller diameter). Now the installation of the air conditioner with your own hands is over. You can turn it on.
Without vacuum pump
If the length of the route is up to 5 meters, the air conditioner can be installed without a vacuum pump. To clean the equipment, you will have to release a certain amount of freon, but there is no other way. The procedure is as follows:
And in this case, the installation of the air conditioner with your own hands is completed and the equipment is ready to work. But in this case, the tightness of the system has not been verified by anything and the freon can slowly evaporate, and there is still some air and argon left in the system. In general, the solution is not perfect.
When buying climate control equipment, in addition to calculating the appropriate power, it is necessary to take into account where to place the air conditioner in the room / in the kitchen so that it functions smoothly, does not create discomfort for the inhabitants of the house with its work and does not cause neuralgia or regular colds.
For all types of living quarters (regardless of their area), there are seven basic rules for the location of an air conditioner in a room, which future owners and installers are simply obliged to observe.
Elimination of direct hit of air currents on a person
The installation of a split system or any other climatic equipment should be carried out taking into account the fact that the air leaving the distribution grid diverges by 2-3 meters. It is at this distance that the greatest concentration of cooled air masses occurs, after which they are scattered throughout the room. When thinking about where to install an air conditioner in a room, it should be remembered that the main places of rest or work of people should not fall into this risk zone: beds, sofas, computer and dining tables, and so on.
Lack of heating and steam generating devices near the air conditioner
All household appliances, which in one way or another can affect high temperatures on climatic equipment, should be as far away from it as possible. Do not mount the air conditioner above a stove, refrigerator, near heating radiators, boiler equipment and electric heaters.
Distance between ceiling and split system
When deciding how to properly position a wall-mounted air conditioner in an apartment, it is necessary to take into account the minimum distance between the indoor unit of the split system and the ceiling surface. It should be at least 10-15 cm. This is due to the fact that the indoor module draws air from the room with its upper part, therefore it is necessary to leave a gap for its unhindered passage.
Distance between air conditioner and furniture
For high-quality distribution of the treated air, it is necessary to remove from the zone within a radius of 1-1.5 meters all furniture and any other interior items that can serve as a barrier for it. Air currents will bounce off them and return back to the appliance, causing it to shut down as the temperature sensors are commanded to cool / heat sufficiently. Over time, this disables the climatic equipment.
To ensure proper placement in the room, it is advisable not to hang it over tall cabinets, elongated computer desks and various shelves. This also serves as a limitation for the normal dispersion of the circulating air flows.
The location of the outdoor and indoor units of the air conditioner relative to each other
The normal installation of an air conditioner in a room assumes a short length of the freon line between the units of the split system. On average, this value is from 5 to 10 meters.
Firstly, it is important from the point of view of interior aesthetics. The shorter the connecting line, the less it needs to be sewn into decorative boxes that look neat, but do not add beauty to the design.
Secondly, the price for installing the air conditioner is formed taking into account the length of the freon line. Each extra meter adds to the total cost from about 800 rubles. For devices with a higher capacity, a larger diameter of the pipeline will be required, and, therefore, the price will increase.
Cutting off heat from the window
This rule of placing an air conditioner in a room is especially true where the windows face the sunny side - to the south, southeast or southwest. The blown out cooled streams should go perpendicularly to the sunlight and warm air entering the room. This will ensure the earliest possible achievement of the set temperatures.
Corner mounting of the air conditioner
You can install the air conditioner in the corner of the room where another method is simply impossible due to architectural features or the size of the room. Some manufacturers have corner models of split systems with a very attractive design and compact dimensions. But this is the least desirable location of the air conditioner in the kitchen or room, since in any case the uniformity of distribution will suffer and the formation of different-temperature zones cannot be avoided.
At the same time, sometimes the question arises of where to place the air conditioner in the room, if there is an opening between the window frame and the wall with a width of 70 cm and more, and there is no other place to be found. In this case, corner mounting is justified. When the landlord chooses this option, then the location of the doorway should be taken into account - you cannot hang the device in front of it, since the air will go into another room.
In addition to the general provisions listed, there are many more options for installing an air conditioner in a room, including depending on the number of rooms in the apartment.
Air conditioners in a one-room apartment
Many buyers are often mistaken about the possibility of high-quality cooling / heating both a room and a kitchen with one indoor unit. Even if the appliance is placed in a hallway, which is equidistant from the rest of the rooms, the coolness or heat will not flow there enough. When the stove or oven is on, the coolness will instantly go away, and in the hallway it will always, on the contrary, be very cold.
An air conditioner with increased power is also not an option, since it will often work in stop-start mode, and this makes the main part of the system - the compressor - unusable.
Then how to install an air conditioner in an apartment with one room and which type should you give preference to? There are three options here:
- installation of two split systems separately in the kitchen and the room;
- installation of a multi-split system with one external and two internal blocks;
- installation of a duct air conditioner (a low-pressure model is sufficient in odnushka).
The only disadvantage of the first option is the presence of two external modules on the facade of the building. Installing a ducted air conditioning system is quite acceptable, but it will cost much more. In addition, you will have to pull the air ducts, mount them in a fake mezzanine or wall, and most importantly, this can only be done in apartments with high ceilings.
With a duct air conditioner, such a nuisance can arise as the spread of kitchen aromas throughout the apartment, because the air duct system supplied to all rooms will mix the air taken from them, and then distribute it also to all zones. This air conditioner is ideal for several rooms in an apartment.
If funds are very limited, then you can install one wall split system, but in such a way as to cover all the premises as much as possible. In an apartment with zones as shown, usually the best way to install the air conditioner is above the doorway in the room. The air will be reflected from the opposite wall and enter the corridor and kitchen in 30% of the amount of the total air masses circulating through the apartment.
As an option - installation of the block opposite the opening. But in this case, only 30-40% of the cooled / heated air will remain in the room, and 60-70% will disperse to the rest of the zones. This arrangement of the air conditioner is more suitable for a small room, where the temperature change is felt much faster, and the divergence of flows is better.
You should not buy a window air conditioner for a small room. Even modern models make a noticeable noise, which is unacceptable for the sleeping area. It is better to choose an air conditioner for a small room of lower power. Devices up to 2-2.5 kW are hung in a room with an area of up to 15 m².
A monoblock window can replace a split system in the kitchen. It works properly on areas up to 15-18 m². But you will have to find a special place to collect the splashing condensate, because under the window there may be a pedestrian path or a recreation area.
If, nevertheless, the owner decides to install a wall split in the kitchen, then it is undesirable to hang it in front of the stove, as there will be a constant blowing of the burner flame. Of course, this does not apply to kitchen areas equipped with electric stoves.
Sometimes the question arises of the correct placement of the air conditioner in a room with an adjoining balcony. There are no deviations from the rules in the installation of the indoor unit. It is recommended to hang the outdoor module on the facade or to the side of the balcony / loggia. The option of fastening inside is possible, but only if there is no glazing. An elongated track is laid between the blocks, which passes through the balcony to the street with a slope.
Air conditioners for apartments with two or more rooms
In the selection and installation of air conditioners for two or three rooms, there are no special differences from the previous recommendations.
Khrushchev buildings and their conditioning
A standard two-room Khrushchev can do with one split into two adjacent rooms. The indoor unit is mounted above the doorway between rooms in the walk-through hall. Air will be repelled from the opposite wall and flow into the bedroom. Usually its sizes are from 8 to 11 m². It is pointless to purchase an air conditioner for such a small room. A device with a power of 3.5-4.5 kW can easily cope with cooling and heating of two adjacent rooms.
Owners of a three-ruble note in Khrushchev with two adjacent rooms and one separate can solve the air conditioning problem without spending money on air conditioners for several rooms as follows:
- Adjacent (walk-through) rooms are designed in the same way as described in the option for a two-room apartment;
- The problem of air conditioning the kitchen and the remaining small bedroom is solved by installing a more powerful unit next to the front door in the corridor. The downside is a long freon line through the whole room or kitchen.
Rulers and their conditioning
If the apartment has a layout called "ruler", then there is absolutely no need to buy an air conditioner for two rooms with a limited budget, since the premises are located here in one row. It turns out that the hallway is equidistant from them. This means that an inverter can be hung in it, which will provide all zones with cold and heat. This is acceptable if the residents are ready to endure the arctic cold in the corridor, because in order to lower the temperature in the rooms and kitchen to 24 ° C, 18 ° C will need to be set here.
Do the homeowners not want to freeze in the hallway? Then the following recommendations regarding apartments with separate rooms will help.
Undershirts and their conditioning
It is better to equip apartments with separate rooms with multi-split or duct installations with air ducts laying between rooms. This will save space both outside the building and inside the rooms and kitchens themselves.
The disadvantage of such systems is the inability to establish autonomous temperature parameters in different zones of the apartment. Cooling a kitchen with appliances running will require lower values than cooling a bedroom or nursery.
One of the advantages of a duct air conditioner is the possibility of mixing in outside air.
Two separate inverter air conditioners can be installed in two small separate rooms. They will efficiently process air and will not entail high costs for electricity. The same can be done in a three-room apartment. But this is justified only if all the rules mentioned at the beginning of the article are observed.
If you try to place separate splits in three rooms, then it will do little to the design of the apartment itself, as well as to the exterior of the house. It is much wiser to buy an air conditioner for three or more rooms, that is, a multi-split system or a duct. In most cases, they have an inverter type of compressor regulation, due to which the operation of devices in the mode of frequent start-stop is excluded.
Some air conditioners for three rooms can be combined with different types of indoor modules. The most powerful wall-mounted apparatus is hung in the living room, and a wall-mounted apparatus with a lower performance is hung in the bedroom.
In the nursery, it is advisable to install a console unit in the ceiling mounting version, since it has the softest and most comfortable distribution of air flows along the ceiling along the entire room. Particularly relevant is a console air conditioner with an elongated (rectangular) shape for a nursery.
Many three-room air conditioners do not need to be assembled in-house. There are ready-made multi-splits on sale, ideally matched in terms of parameters relative to each other, which can be hung up quickly and easily.
Professional installers will help you to choose the exact options for installing the air conditioner in the room and its suitable type.
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