The conditioning process involves changing or maintaining certain parameters of the air environment. This can be a correction of humidity, temperature, flow velocity, purification, etc. For automatic regulation of these and other parameters, an air conditioning system is used, which is a complex of technical units and assemblies.
How the equipment works
There are many options for the design of the unit, but the basic set of functional units remains the same. For the full operation of the air conditioner, the interaction of the compressor unit, evaporator, condenser and temperature control system is required. Together, these components form the conditions for a kind of processing of air flows. The active element to maintain the functionality is the refrigerant circulating through a closed hermetic system of copper pipes. These circuits connect the mentionedabove the units, closing on the heat exchanger.
As a rule, freon plays the role of a refrigerant. Since the active mixture of this kind is not environmentally friendly, special cylinders are used for its storage. If we are talking about split systems, then the containers are located in the external block from the side of the street. During operation of the ventilation and air conditioning system, the refrigerant circulates through a pipe connecting the compressor and other functional units. This circuit is called a refrigeration circuit, but it also serves other tasks of changing microclimatic parameters.
The residual product of the working process is condensate. Its formation is unavoidable, since it naturally arises as a result of the dilution of the refrigerant. Therefore, in most designs of air conditioners, one can observe a drain channel - a drainage tube through which the accumulated condensate flows down to the ground in the form of water from the side of the outdoor unit.
Performed functions
In most cases, the key task of an air conditioner is cooling. That is, lowering the temperature to a comfortable level. Accordingly, such units are more often used in the summer. The permissible peak mode in terms of the temperature tolerable by the equipment is +40 … +50 ° С, and in winter it is not recommended to turn on the units at an average of -25 °.
And here it is worth noting the different approaches to air conditioning, implemented by classical and inverter models. The first regulate the temperature stepwise, turning on and offrefrigerant circulation as required. The second principle, a more modern inverter one, involves constant control of the microclimate with a smooth change in its individual parameters. As a result, the absence of energy costs for turning the equipment on and off allows you to save on electricity.
The second most popular feature is ventilation. The movement of air flows is implemented by mechanics, represented by built-in coolers and fans. In contrast to changing the temperature regime parameters, ventilation and air conditioning in the complex can use outdoor air. As for the heating function, it is used less frequently, since the fundamental design of such equipment is not calculated on the integration of heating elements. Nevertheless, there are multifunctional air conditioning units that also implement a heater unit, albeit with a small capacity.
Varieties of air conditioners
There are many classifications of this equipment, and they affect different aspects of the structural device, the principle of operation and performance. The most pronounced differences of different types are the following aggregates:
- Central systems. Industrial equipment that requires not only electricity, but also thermal resources (hot water, steam, etc.) to maintain performance. Due to their high power, the central units provide ventilation and air conditioning in large rooms - in factories, inhalls, salons, stadiums, etc.
- Split systems. The most widespread concept of office equipment, which is characterized by ease of installation, ergonomics, compactness and attractive design. In turn, split systems can be floor, wall, cassette and ceiling.
- Multi-systems. The features of this equipment include the possibility of optimized maintenance of several zones from one compressor unit. The outdoor unit is installed in one place. Working air conditioners in different rooms can be connected to it. This is a convenient concept if you plan to serve 10-12 different rooms with one exit to the outside.
It is worth noting the classification according to the nature of providing meteorological conditions during air conditioning - SNiP 2.04. 05-91 provides for the division of equipment into three groups:
- Units that comply with regulatory documentation in terms of maintaining technological parameters. Used in factories and public buildings.
- Air conditioners that provide optimal hygienic performance or established technical standards. Used in the domestic sphere.
- A kind of auxiliary systems that are activated in cases where the local utility infrastructure does not provide adequate ventilation without artificial cooling of the air environment.
Equipment performance
From the point of viewfor the end user, of course, the main thing is the temperature ranges over which adjustment can be made. For example, in domestic air conditioning installations, the lower threshold varies from -5 to +15 °C, and the upper reaches +45 °C. In heating mode, the equipment can operate in the range of -5 … +20 ° С, but, again, this applies to a narrow segment of the units.
Climatic equipment is known for high energy consumption, which is due to the considerable power and performance of the electric motor. Indeed, for household appliances 5-10 kW is a significant potential, but only with its help it is possible to maintain effective regulation of the same temperature in a constant mode. By the way, for city apartments with a small area, it is quite possible to limit yourself to buying devices with a power of 2-3 kW.
Among the negative operational factors of climate systems, noisy operation is often noted. Indeed, at a hearing threshold of 0 dB, sounds at a level of 25 dB can cause discomfort. And then, this applies to the indoor unit, and the external compressor in air conditioning can operate at 40 dB. However, manufacturers are increasingly providing equipment with "night" operating modes, in which the noise reduction function is activated while optimizing motor resources.
As for dimensions, there are no standards in this regard. The only valid rule is the direct relationship between size, weight and power. By the way, the mass is in this sense the most responsible factor of choice, since heavy equipment on a flimsycladding with weak fastening can simply collapse. The average weight of the kit is approximately 30-50 kg, which is also a lot for a household unit, especially if it is ceiling or wall-mounted.
Development of the project of the air conditioning system
The system specification white paper includes several sections that cover equipment characteristics, functional requirements, installation recommendations, etc. At the residential level, this task can be performed during the determination of the target area for air conditioning, the possibilities for location optimal design and requirements for the operation of the unit. In particular, the zoning of the system, its coverage and the length of communications are determined.
At this stage, it is important to evaluate the possibilities for connection. As a rule, split systems operate from single-phase 220 V networks, while industrial ones require a load of 380 V. In terms of communications, the design of air conditioning systems provides for setting boundaries along the maximum length of main routes. This also applies to pipes through which the refrigerant circulates, and electrical cables. Thus, the length of refrigeration pipes can vary from 5 to 70 m. In the first case, we are talking about household split systems, two blocks of which are separated by a regular wall, and in the second, a distance of up to tens of meters can be taken into account for multi-systems covering several working blocks premises in one building.
Calculation of the air conditioning system by power
As already mentioned,the power potential of air conditioners can be both 2 kW and 10 kW, and industrial systems even work with engines up to 15-20 kW. Of course, for a small house there is no need for high performance - apart from excessive electricity consumption, nothing will be expected from such a regulator. Therefore, for reasons of rational operation, the optimal power load should also be taken into account in advance.
It follows from the fact that a room with an average area of 10 m2 will require 1 kW for cooling. This is provided that the ceiling height of the room does not exceed 3 m. At the same time, a small addition is made if there are several other electrical appliances in the room that will complicate the air conditioning process due to their own thermal energy. A finer calculation for each "square" is also possible. For example, 1 m2 corresponds to 100 W of cooling capacity. This approach justifies itself in cases where there are problem areas in the room - for example, near a window with direct sunlight. In any case, in order not to miscalculate in the calculations, it is worth adding another 10-15% of the power to the displayed figure. At the very least, exceeding the performance tolerance will level the operating modes of the equipment.
Installation of air conditioning systems
Install the indoor unit first. If the most common wall system is used, then the mounting holes should be made in advance with an electric drill or puncher. The mounting panel is fixed on the brackets, and onit is a block, and strictly horizontally.
Next is the intermediate stage of the communication setup. Air conditioning, as already noted, occurs due to the circulation of the refrigerant, which requires an appropriate infrastructure. It is represented by a trace that connects the indoor unit and the external capacitor. You should also provide a channel for laying a drainage hose. As already mentioned, it will be required to drain condensate.
A cable, copper pipes for freon and an interconnection line are laid along the communication route. First, electrical communications are connected, and then the pipeline. Immediately after completion of the main connecting operations, a test of ventilation and air conditioning systems by vacuum should be carried out. With the help of compressor and pressure testing equipment, air is removed, after which the operation of communications is tested. As part of the first test, you should also check for leaks, in general, evaluate the tightness and reliability of the fasteners. To check the tightness of the connections, gas under pressure is sent to the circuits. Then you can refuel with freon.
Consumables for air conditioner
During operation and emergency repairs, consumables and supplies may be required and should always be kept in stock. The basic set of this fitting consists of hoses with pipes of a suitable format, fasteners, heat-insulating linings and protective panels. Particular attention is paid to the quality of anchor elements and brackets. They must have reliableseams and anti-corrosion coating - only in this case, fasteners can withstand a load of several tens of kilograms.
Do not ignore the decorative component. If industrial units cannot be of any value in this regard, then a household split air conditioning system in a residential building is quite capable of emphasizing the stylistic character of the interior. For decorative camouflage, you can use special overlays and grilles. The same applies to the outdoor unit, which is decorated with aesthetic details that match the façade.
Control system
Most modern climate control units come with remote controls. Directly on the indoor unit there is also a panel with buttons (hardware or touch). In both cases, the user can adjust the temperature, air flow rate, cooling intensity and other parameters.
Special attention should be paid to the implementation of modes. As a rule, manufacturers lay in them a set of microclimatic parameters focused on certain working conditions. Here it is worth noting the advantages of programmable air conditioning systems, which are provided by timers. The owner can not only configure the current operating parameters, but also set the equipment for a day or even a week of operation in automatic mode.
Equipment Tips
Climatic equipment requires a delicate approach to management due to technological complexity. Therefore, to maximize the life of the device, you should focus on the following recommendations:
- Minimize heat loss by closing windows and doors. Be sure to exclude direct sunlight into a room with a working air conditioner.
- Heaters and other heating equipment should also be turned off when the temperature drops.
- Intensive operation of ventilation and air conditioning systems must be balanced and appropriate instructions. So, in many models, work at extremely low or high temperature conditions is limited in time by protective automation.
- It is advisable to avoid abrupt transitions between different temperature indicators with a large distance over the range.
Maintenance
Proper care of the air conditioner is the key to its durable and efficient operation. During operation, a whole range of maintenance measures is carried out. First of all, attention is paid to the cleanliness of the equipment. You should start with filters. Their most common type is mesh membranes. They are replaced every 1-2 years, but in active mode, manufacturers recommend washing the filter every two weeks.
Comprehensive cleaning of the ventilation and air conditioning system is carried out using compressor equipment. Fine dust, stuck fluff and other dirt are removed by compressed air under pressure. External surfacesthe indoor and outdoor units are wiped with a damp cloth or rag without the use of aggressive chemicals.
Of course, the possibility of breakage cannot be ruled out. The presence of a malfunction may be indicated by a decrease in the intensity of cooling, a decrease in fan speed, freon leakage, etc. With your own hands, you can only eliminate a part of the problems associated with violations in a closed circuit that connects the functional organs - the evaporator, compressor, throttle and other components. In the future, maintenance of ventilation and air conditioning systems is carried out, adjusted for previously identified malfunctions. At least once a season, you should also check the condition of consumables, the quality of fasteners and the tightness of the structure.
Conclusion
There is a long way to go from deciding on the organization of an indoor air conditioning infrastructure to implementing this idea. But first you need to make sure that this decision is really justified. After all, manufacturers subtly feel new demands and offer alternative equipment corresponding to them. So, today there is an increasing trend towards minimizing the size, optimizing the cost of electricity and facilitating installation activities. Obviously, large-scale air conditioning complexes hardly meet these requirements. Another thing is that in industrial conditions and in the arrangement of office premises, for example, only such units can meet the requirements in terms ofperformance.
As for the household segment, in this niche, the appearance of compact and ergonomic devices can be traced. However, the complexity of installation remains the same. The most common form of air conditioners in the form of a split system still requires two-sided installation of units, and monolithic home devices, for all their attractiveness, are not able to provide the same performance. Moreover, the main obstacle in the transfer of both units to the room is the increase in operating noise. And this is not to mention the need for regular condensate draining, if a sewer channel is not directly connected to the installation. One way or another, if you decide to purchase an air conditioner, then you should first focus on the products of Electrolux, Daikin, Ballu, Mitsubishi and NeoClima.
