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Launch of a new split system. Rules for the installation of air conditioners. Where to locate the outdoor unit

Unlike mobile air coolers, which consist of a single unit, household split systems require additional financial costs for installation. It is quite possible to reduce costs: study detailed guide how to install a new air conditioner in the apartment and do the installation yourself.

Preparatory stage

Split systems are most often used for air conditioning of private houses and apartments, as they are reliable, convenient and compact. The air conditioning unit consists of two blocks - internal and external, interconnected by two freon tubes, an electric cable and a drainage line.

Warning. When buying a new air conditioner, consider important nuance: all freon is pumped into the outdoor module, and the indoor one is empty. Do not open the valves on the side of the machine until the piping is connected.

Installing "splits" is much more complicated than installing floor and window air conditioners. Here, 2 separate blocks must be correctly placed outside and inside the room, lay and hermetically connect the lines. The issue of connecting to the mains is easier to solve - a line is laid to the installed indoor module, protected by a circuit breaker.

What you need to do before proceeding with self-assembly:

  1. Buy additional materials.
  2. Prepare special tools and fixtures.
  3. Determine the location of both units and the route for laying highways with freon.

The location of the split system blocks is subject to certain rules. The flow of cooled air from the indoor unit should not directly blow people, and the maximum distance from the outdoor unit should not exceed 5 m. Most often, the unit is placed on the side partition next to the window and outer wall. Technological indents from walls and ceilings are indicated in the diagram.

Now some tips on where to install the outdoor unit:


Note. Inverter-type air conditioners are quieter than conventional ones, but the fan noise is still audible at night.

List of tools and materials

The following installation materials are not included in the delivery of the split system, they will need to be purchased independently:

  • metal bracket for suspension of the outdoor module (you can weld it yourself from steel equal-shelf angles 35 x 3 mm);
  • four-core copper cable type VVG with a cross section of 1.5 or 2.5 mm², depending on the power of the cooler;
  • tubes of freon pipelines copper with a diameter of 6.35 mm and 9.52 mm of the required length;
  • rubber heat-insulating sleeve of the K-Flex type along the length of the line;
  • corrugated drainage pipe (metal-plastic Ø16 mm is also suitable);
  • winding tape PVA or PVC;
  • polyurethane foam - 1 bottle.

Note. Depending on the conditions for laying inter-unit highways, a plastic cable channel or dry mortar may be needed to seal the furrow.

In addition to a home set of locksmith tools, installing an air conditioner requires the use of special tools and equipment:

  • perforator with a long drill or crown drill for concrete;
  • vacuum pump;
  • manifold with pressure gauges and hoses;
  • device for manual flaring of copper pipes and scissors that do not form metal chips.

Often on the Internet there are instructions on how to install and run a split system without a vacuum pump, where the air from the pipelines and the evaporative heat exchanger is pushed out by freon pressure. We categorically advise against following such recommendations and strictly observing the technology of evacuating the system before filling. Otherwise, the compressor may fail much earlier than the due date.

Advice. There is a way to save money on buying or renting a rolling tool and speed up the assembly of freon lines. Ready-made installation kits are available for sale, including factory flared tubes, insulation and a cable with a drain hose. The price depends on the length of the bundle (3, 5 or 7 m).

Air conditioner installation instructions

It is assumed that you have already purchased a split system of the required cooling capacity, you know exactly the dimensions of the devices and have allocated places for them. Installation work is carried out in several stages:

  1. Marking the route for laying inter-unit communications, supplying electricity and sawing a furrow in the wall (if necessary).
  2. Fastening indoor unit, laying highways through the wall and connection.
  3. Installation of an external module, connection of communications.
  4. Refrigerant charge and start up.

Depending on the conditions of the work, the main bundle is laid in two ways: openly in the PVC cable duct or hidden inside the wall. Use the first option in a residential apartment, the second - in the process of repairing the premises.

Reference. Ninety percent of manufacturers of split systems provide for the output of communications from the left end of the indoor unit. When hanging to the left of the window and hidden laying of pipelines, the groove in the wall will have to be cut out with a turn, as shown in the photo.

The first stage of work is carried out as follows:


How to make furrows yourself and prepare for the installation of an air conditioner, an experienced master will tell in his video:

Indoor unit installation

Before starting work, take the device out of the box and read the attached technical documentation, where the manufacturer makes his own requirements for the installation of the product and provides a diagram. Do-it-yourself installation of the air conditioner according to the step-by-step instructions:


Advice. In order not to peel off the winding tape of the bundle, it is better to insert a plastic sleeve into the technological hole. Alternatively, make it from a plastic bottle.

After hanging the indoor unit, straighten the wiring harness and lay it inside the furrows. At open method gaskets, immediately install the cable - channel and hide the pipelines there. How to accurately connect the highways, see the video:

Outdoor module installation

Mounting the unit on the balcony will not cause any particular difficulties. When installing under a window, secure yourself with insurance and have an assistant support you while screwing the bracket and outdoor unit. Work is carried out in the following sequence:


Advice. In order not to get out of the window waist-deep, tightening the nuts under the bracket, buy special plastic clamps or make them yourself. The bolt is inserted into the corner, a lock in the form of a washer is put on the thread and prevents it from falling out. At the end, the module fastening nuts are screwed with a long socket wrench, as is done in the video.

Startup instructions

On the this stage it is important to remove air and water vapor from the freon circuit by vacuuming. Then the lines are filled with refrigerant pumped into the outdoor unit at the factory. To refuel a new air conditioner, the following technology is used:


After successful refueling of the lines and the indoor module, turn on the split system for cooling, then test it in different operating modes. Make sure that the condensate flows from the drain and not along the wall under the indoor unit. Do not forget to close the ends of the service ports with standard plugs and put the cover on.

Conclusion

The success of the event depends heavily on the quality of the installation work. If you are careless when installing the air conditioner, then at best you will lose freon, and with it the money saved on calling the masters will fly into the atmosphere. In the worst case, the compressor will “grab” steam or dirt that has entered the pipeline, and will fail in just a year. So take your time and pay close attention to all connections.

Structural engineer with over 8 years experience in construction.
Graduated from East Ukrainian National University. Vladimir Dal with a degree in Electronic Industry Equipment in 2011.

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What you need to know about installing a split system

Problem: The main difficulty faced by the buyer of a split system is the problem correct installation. Installation determines the quality and service life of the air conditioner by 90%. If errors are made during installation, then it is very difficult to correct them later.

  • Decision: Installation must be carried out by specialists licensed to install air conditioners, in compliance with the instructions and using special equipment. After installation, no debris, no dust, no boxes should remain in the room. The word "air conditioner" has taken root only in our country. This is actually a piece of the phrase air-condition, which in English means “air condition”. The air conditioner is used to maintain the desired temperature and humidity in the room. By ventilating the air, the air conditioner cleans it by passing the air flow through special filters.

Today we will talk about installing more modern look air conditioning systems - about the split system. What are the advantages of a split system over a "regular" air conditioner? The split system does not block natural light, like a “window”, which is cut into the window frame. This is the first difference. In addition, it does not depend on the house's general air conditioning system, if any (this is when one hefty unit stands somewhere in the basement and drives air around the house). And it differs from the "ordinary" air conditioner in that it consists of two blocks - external and internal. If there are more than two indoor units, then this is already called a “multi-split system”.

But let's agree: for simplicity of presentation, I will talk about the split system, calling it the word "air conditioner", which is more familiar to our ears.

First - repair, then - split

So, split system (from English word split - “split, split”) consists of two separate blocks: internal (evaporator) and external or external (condenser). The blocks are interconnected by electrical wires and two copper tubes through which the refrigerant (freon) flows. A plastic thin tube (drainage) also extends outward from the indoor unit - to remove condensed moisture. Ideally, it should be connected to a drain (sewer) pipe or to a special tank, but often it is simply taken out into the street, and then drops of water fall on the heads of passers-by (for how to properly drain, see below).

The principle of operation of the split system is as follows. If the room needs to be cooled, then from the heat exchanger of the external unit, freon enters the heat exchanger of the indoor unit through one copper tube. There it is blown by a fan, as a result of which a cold air. If the air in the room needs to be heated, then with the help of heat pump the external condenser becomes an evaporator and the evaporator becomes a condenser. In addition to the condenser and evaporator, the split system includes a compressor, which is installed in the outdoor unit. The main function of the compressor is to compress freon to give this gas properties that significantly increase the efficiency of the air conditioner.

The indoor unit operates almost silently (for Daikin models, the noise level of some indoor units is 28 - 31 dB, and for Mitsubishi, when the engine is turned on at the lowest speed, it is 26 dB; a flying butterfly creates the same noise level). But the fan and compressor of an external device can “buzz” and louder.

According to the mounting method, indoor units are wall-mounted and floor-ceiling (floor-ceiling are called so because they can be attached to both the ceiling and the floor). There are also cassette and multi-zone indoor units, but we will talk about them next time.

In apartments, wall-mounted indoor units are most often installed. With the help of movable shutters of the wall unit, you can change the direction of the air flow. But the power of wall blocks is specially limited - otherwise a strong stream of cold air will simply “blow off” everything in its path. But if a room (for example, in an office) requires a more powerful air conditioner, a floor-to-ceiling unit is installed. It will allow you to direct a strong jet along the wall or ceiling and thus ensure an even distribution of temperature in the room.

Our advice: if the length of the room significantly exceeds its width, it is much more efficient to install a floor-to-ceiling air conditioner!

Split systems differ in power (cooling capacity) and design. The choice of design is at the discretion of the buyer. But about the power, you must definitely consult with a specialist. In doing so, you need to know:

  • 1. The area (volume) of your room.
  • 2. The dimensions of the window, the direction of the world to which it goes.
  • 3. The presence (absence) of blinds on the windows.
  • 4. The number of constantly operating equipment that generates heat (TV, computer, etc.).
  • 5. The number of radiators in the rooms.
  • 6. The number of people permanently in the room.
  • 7. Is there forced ventilation?

Another tip: if the company where you want to buy an air conditioner didn’t ask you anything about it, then it’s better not to buy from them. Because there is a danger that you are offered a "typical not that." In reputable companies, before selling the air conditioner, the consultant, as a rule, travels to the place of the intended installation of the device, takes measurements and finds out all the necessary details. Then all this data is entered into the program, and only after that the computer selects the optimal model. So, for example, they work in the Aeroprof company specializing in Carrier air conditioners (USA), in the Meteomarket company (Daikin air conditioners) and the KlimatSS company (Hitachi air conditioners) ).

What else do you need to know? Experts advise INSTALLING A SPLIT SYSTEM BEFORE or DURING REPAIR, and not after all repair work already carried out. Then you do not have to gouge and drill freshly painted and leveled walls to lay the electrical wiring for the air conditioner and strengthen the brackets for fixing the indoor unit. You can, of course, hide communications in external boxes, but this will not decorate the interior.

Moreover, installation work in a freshly renovated apartment is much more expensive, especially after renovation.

Now about other possible "ambushes". Very often mistakes begin even when buying an air conditioner. Wanting to save money, we go to the nearest store (or even to the market) and buy an air conditioner. So what? And that's all: we are one on one with him. At best, after carefully reading the instructions, we undertake to install it.

Meanwhile, installing a split system in an apartment is not at all the same as installing a refrigerator or a TV: they say, they brought it home, put it in the chosen place, turned it on and it works! With air conditioning, such a room will not work. Air conditioning requires proper installation. This is exactly the case when it is impossible to save on installation. The better it is installed, the longer it will last. It is no coincidence that installation work is 18-30% of the cost of the unit.

I remember how one experienced and restrained-looking installer, answering my completely innocent question: where to start installing the air conditioner, suddenly got excited and yelled: “People! You are all smart! Each air conditioner is given an instruction in Russian, in which both installation and operating rules are described “for fools”, point by point. Read it, damn it, before sticking your hands in! Better yet, call the experts. And, alas, he is right.

Installation: where to start?

Split system installation diagram

  • 1. Communications (in strobe)
  • 2. Drainage (in strobe)
  • 3. Sewerage
  • 4. Siphon
  • 5. Electrical wiring - to the shield (in the strobe)
  • 6. Hole in the wall, punched with an inclination of 1–3°

First stage: separate electrical wiring is carried out

To any, even a low-power (1.5 kW) air conditioner, it is necessary to carry out a separate electrical wiring and put a separate machine in the electrical panel. Because the old wiring may not withstand the load and, God forbid, catch fire. If, however, a separate wiring for the air conditioner is laid by specialist installers, the possibility of fire is reduced to almost zero.

Be especially vigilant if your house is older than 1990. In old houses, the wiring, alas, is not designed for the loads from the use of powerful electrical equipment. Installers remember the case when the owner of the apartment was forced to replace all the wiring because of the air conditioner: the old one simply could not stand it and constantly knocked out plugs.

Second stage: installation of the outdoor unit

To do this, installers drill holes for brackets, on which they then install outdoor unit.

If you put it on an open balcony, then there is no problem: they attached it with bolts, the breeze blows it - and everything is in order (if the balcony is glazed, then the device will not have enough air to work and it will soon break). If you want to attach the unit to the wall, then you can not do without strong brackets. Moreover, they must withstand a weight several times greater than the weight of the block. On high floors, the "outdoor" is mounted from a machine equipped with a sliding ladder. Or they call climbers (if the installation goes above the 5th floor). Such calls are paid separately and cost from 60 to 150 dollars. And sometimes equipment is required in the form of a car with a fire escape-boom, and a climber.

If you live on the upper floors, then the outdoor unit can be placed on the roof. But keep in mind that the difference between the indoor and outdoor units in height should not exceed 3-20 meters (depending on the brand of air conditioner and model).

If your apartment is located on the ground floor, I strongly recommend hanging the outdoor unit above 1.8–2 meters above the ground and “hide” it in a cage. And they can steal it. At one of the firms we were told a story. A man came and ordered only an external unit. Managers were surprised: "Why don't you want a whole split system." - “Yes, I have an air conditioner inside, but the outer “box” was cut off yesterday. On the first floor, under the window hung. Regardless of the height at which the external unit is “screwed”, it is necessary to make a metal visor above it. This will save the block from snow and icicles, which in the spring tend to fall from the roofs, breaking everything in their path.

In general, installing an outdoor unit is a responsible matter. If it is loosely fastened, it can fall down ... on someone. During warranty period the responsibility for the consequences of this lies with the company that installed the air conditioner. And then you will be responsible.

What can not be done with the outdoor (outdoor) unit?

There are space limitations for installing the outdoor unit:

  • 1. The surface of the wall on which the block will be installed must be strong (otherwise it may collapse under the weight of the block) and smooth (otherwise the block will vibrate and deform).
  • 2. Do not bend the tubes with refrigerant (freon) several times in a small area and unscrew their connections (this will lead to a refrigerant leak). If the tubes are twisted into a ring with a radius of less than 100 mm, then it will be more difficult for the compressor to pump freon.

Third stage: installation of the indoor unit

Installers fasten special brackets to the wall (if the unit is wall-mounted) or ceiling (if the unit is ceiling-mounted) with screws and install blocks on them. After that, it is necessary to check the strength of the fastening (does the structure stagger? Does it vibrate when the air conditioner is turned on?). Otherwise, sooner or later, the whole structure may simply collapse on your head.

But for the floor unit, special fasteners are not required. He, as they say, "stands on foot." You just need to immediately choose a place for it (when choosing a place, keep in mind that the unit does not blow on the curtains or on the wall and stand away from the heat source). And although the block is not attached to the floor, but after laying all the communications, it is no longer possible to move it from place to place.

So, the indoor unit cannot be installed:

  • 1. ... above a heat source (for example, above a battery). Otherwise, the air conditioner will work for cooling “until the pulse is lost” and will fail very quickly. Imagine that you opened the door of the refrigerator, and it will cool not only the chamber, but the whole room. It will "work" and fail by the end of the day. The same will happen with the air conditioner. In addition, from the heat emanating from room battery, the plastic case of the unit may be deformed.
  • 2. ... in rooms where devices with high-frequency electromagnetic oscillations are constantly working (for example, a drill, a drilling machine). High-frequency vibrations can "knock down" the chip (processor) installed inside the air conditioner.
  • 3 . ... directly above the bed or workplace, otherwise there is a danger of constantly catching a cold or, worse than that, get pneumonia.
  • 4. …where air circulation will be difficult, such as behind curtains, etc. The distance to the obstacle should not be less than 3 meters. Otherwise, the air conditioner, which maintains the set temperature automatically, will fail. The cooled (or heated) air flow from the air conditioner will be reflected from the obstacle and will return back with the same temperature with which it “came out”. The air conditioner will decide that the work has been done, the desired climate is set and turn off. This is exactly what happened to my friends. Their air conditioner constantly “got confused in the curtains” and turned off before it had time to bring the room temperature to the set one. I had to call specialists and reinstall the system.
  • 5. ... with a skew - then water (condensate) will flow out of it onto the floor, which, according to the installation rules, must be discharged through a drainage pipe into a special reservoir (see our certificate of drainage).

Fourth stage: chasing walls or floors

In order to connect the electrical wires and freon tubes between the air conditioner units, installers punch gutters in the walls or on the ceiling (or, as the installers say, you need to “probe the line”). This is done if you want to make a hidden highway. Sometimes you have to “stroke”, for example, not the walls, but the floor of the apartment.

Don't want to ditch? Then you can hide the wires in decorative plastic boxes (sometimes the boxes are removed under the plinth). But before that, installers will need to connect two copper pipes (for refrigerant) and "ends" of electrical wiring between the outdoor and indoor units. Make sure the installers do this with the connection fittings. And in a pre-punched hole in outer wall laid a "waterproof glass" with a connecting hose.

After that, they must carry out the so-called evacuation of communications, and be sure to do so for 50 minutes (it is during this time that “extra” air and moisture will come out of the communications). This manipulation is done with the help of special equipment.

And keep in mind - for the drainage tube, as a rule, they make a separate hidden line (in the wall or under the floor).

Fifth stage: checking the operation of the system using a special program

At this stage, installers must turn on the split system (air conditioner) by installing it on the test program. If everything works and the case does not vibrate, then it is in order. The work is almost finished. By the way, we advise you to independently conduct such a check of the system operation every year (using the same test program).

Sixth stage: garbage collection

I must warn you: laying the line and other installation procedures are dirt, dust and noise. But good installers (with a license to install air conditioners) will come with special tools (including a metal detector to examine the walls for fittings and hidden communications).

In addition, installers must have a vacuum cleaner and other cleaning machines. With their help, after the work is completed, they must independently remove all garbage. If the installers are trying to dodge the "dirty" work, strictly demand - "cleaning the territory" is included in the payment for the installation of the air conditioner. In addition, you can conclude an agreement with a reputable company for preventive maintenance of a split system. Then you don't have to, risking your life, leaning out of the window to the waist, clean the outdoor unit with a vacuum cleaner or call climbers with your own money. When concluding such an agreement (it also includes warranty repairs), of course, you will have to pay a certain amount, but believe me, it's worth it. By the way, we hasten to inform you of a pleasant detail: Meteomarket, which sells Japanese Daikin air conditioners, will replace your air conditioner with a new one free of charge after the three-year service contract expires. However, if you are satisfied with the old unit, you can not change it for 20 years. The company guarantees its uninterrupted Good work. By the way, in the notorious building on Lubyanka, Daikin air conditioners have been standing since the days of the “corn secretary general” Nikita Khrushchev and are still working properly.

The outdoor unit must be regularly cleaned of dust and dirt. A particularly difficult period of the outdoor unit is the time of flowering of poplars. The fluff instantly clogs the filters, and the air conditioner (if it is not cleaned immediately) breaks down. Of course, you can vacuum it if you are not afraid of heights. But it’s better not to risk it and call the “air conditioner rescue service” - that is, a service company.

At temperatures below -15 ° C, the air conditioner may refuse to work "for heat", and then low-temperature equipment (a heat pump, a compressor heater and even a drain pipe heater) will be needed. By the way, some models are already equipped with these devices (see table).

What did the installers say?

Experienced installers do not advise buying air conditioners "from whomever you have", on the market or from hands.

“How many times it happened, such illiterate buffoons will carry out the installation, and then people call us, begging for help,” one experienced installer from a very reputable company told me. - It used to be that such unfortunate installers would bring with them a copper pipe for freon, and it had no plugs. If there are no plugs, then moist air will get inside. And humidity is unacceptable for the air conditioner: when combined with the insides of the entire system, it forms an acid that corrodes the air conditioner mechanism from the inside! And instead of serving properly for many years, such an air conditioner is, of course, sent to a landfill in three years.

The installers told me that sometimes they come across especially stubborn customers, they say, “I'm crying, do as I say!”. How to be? Here was a case recently. The client ordered to install the outdoor unit not from the side of the street, but inside the apartment, moreover, in the children's room. He motivated this by a strange statement that his children, they say, will live in the country for another two months. He ignored all the persuasion and arguments of the installers that the outdoor unit should not be placed indoors, and even more so in a residential area. It is clear that after two months the stubborn buyer called the installers to reinstall everything on a new one.

Or here's the case. The client wanted the indoor unit to blow directly onto the bed and the air temperature to be 18°C. They tried to prove to him that it would be cold, in addition, a directed stream of cold air could cause a cold. "Not! I won't catch a cold! Bet!” Nothing to do, set. The next day they came to install the air conditioner in another room, they see, and the temperature on that, yesterday's split, is set to 22 ° C.

– What is it? they ask.

- It's true, guys, I froze at night.

In general, at correct work air conditioner, a person should not feel that something is cooling or heating him. Just comfortable - that's all! Once a friend called the company and asked to come. He says: “I didn’t buy it from you, though.” Okay, let's go. They opened the block, and there was a dead rat.

That's it. Hence the conclusion - it is not enough to buy and install a split system. The main thing is that professionals do it for you.

Our reference

The optimum temperature for human life is + 21–23°C.

Optimal air parameters in the residential area

For air conditioning a room of 10 square meters you need a device with a power of 1 kW, provided that the height of the walls is not higher than 3 meters.

There is a formula for calculating the cooling capacity (power):

Q(total) (excess heat) = Q1+ Q2+ Q3,

  • 1. Excess heat, depending on the volume of the room, is calculated according to the following formula: Q1 = S x H x q(sp.), where S is the area of ​​the room (sq.m.), H is the height of the room (m); q(sp.) = 0.03 kW/cu.m. - if direct sunlight does not enter the room; q(sp.) = 0.035 kW/cu.m. - mean; q(sp.) = 0.04 kW/cu.m. - if there is a lot of sun in the room.
  • 2. The heat from running Q2 equipment is approximately 30% of the power it consumes.
  • 3. Heat from people Q3 is 0.1 kW per person for offices and residential apartments and 0.1 - 0.3 kW for restaurants, gyms, etc. The power of the air conditioner is selected closest to the obtained value Q (gen.)

The procedure for installing a split system

1. Wiring a separate electrical wiring for the air conditioner and installing a separate "machine" in the switchboard.

2. Installation of the outdoor (outdoor) unit:

  • choosing a place for its installation (not lower than 1.8–2 meters above the ground, otherwise they can be stolen - there have been cases);
  • installation of supporting brackets (anchor bolts);
  • strengthening the outdoor unit on the brackets;
  • drilling a hole with a diameter of 5.0–6.0 cm in the outer wall for connecting communications (they will connect the external and internal blocks of the split system);
  • inserting a “waterproof glass” into the hole (the material from which the “glass” is made is the know-how of installers); laying in the "glass" of connecting communications.

3. Installation of the indoor unit:

  • choice of location (the horizontal distance between the indoor and outdoor units should not exceed more than 7-30 meters - depending on the brand of the system);
  • installation of supporting brackets;
  • strengthening the indoor unit on the brackets.

4. System wiring connection:

  • chasing a wall or floor (in order to hide communications or laying wires in a plastic case);
  • connection of wires (copper for refrigerant and electrical) coming from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit using connecting fittings;
  • carrying out the vacuum procedure (within 50 minutes, to remove air and moisture from communications using special equipment).

5. Testing the system:

  • checking the operation of the system using a special program.

6. Cleaning of the premises (by the installers).

How should proper drainage be arranged?

To do this, installers must:

  • 1. Break the highway.
  • 2. Turn off the water in the apartment.
  • 3. Drill in sewer pipe hole.
  • 4. Firmly insert a drainage plastic tube with a siphon into the hole. A layer of water in the siphon will delay the smell coming from the sewer.

Attention! The drainage tube, through which the accumulated moisture is removed, must necessarily go at an inclination of 5–10 mm so that there is a natural flow of water. If for some reason the tilt cannot be done, you must install a special pump for “forced suction of moisture”. But! This pump is not included and must be purchased separately. The purchase will cost 70 - 190 dollars, depending on the pump model you choose.

The main problems that arise during the operation of the air conditioner

Problem 1: The air conditioner blows directly on you, creating a drafty feeling.

  • Decision: You need to turn on the auto-oscillate function horizontal blinds(then the draft will turn into a light breeze) or fix the horizontal dampers in a better position. If this does not work, you need to turn the air flow to the left or right using the vertical air flaps. In most air conditioners, this operation is done manually, but in some models it can be done using the remote control.

Problem 2: On hot days, the air conditioner does not create the necessary coolness, despite the fact that it works constantly.

  • Decision: In this case, you should check if the filters are clogged, if windows and doors are closed, if additional heating devices (boilers or toasters) are working in the room. It can be recommended to hang thick white blinds on the windows, which reflect heat and light well, thus reducing the heat gain through the windows by almost half. If this does not help, the model must be replaced with a more powerful one.

Problem 3: Water is dripping from the indoor unit of the split system.

  • Decision: Looks like the drainpipe is clogged. Most often, this situation occurs when an air conditioner with a drainage pipeline brought outside is turned on for cooling at sub-zero temperatures. In this case, the condensate may turn into an ice plug. To avoid this, it is necessary to heat the drainage pipeline to +5 °C using a special cable. If an ice plug nevertheless arose, then it is worth waiting for a thaw, and until that moment do not turn on the system for cooling.

Problem 4: Decreased airflow.

  • Decision: Clean the air filter. This can be done with a vacuum cleaner or washed with a soft sponge in warm water. It is not recommended to operate the air conditioner without a filter, as it protects not only your lungs, but also the heat exchanger of the indoor unit. When the latter becomes dusty, the efficiency of the air conditioner decreases.

Problem 5: Icing of the outdoor unit during the operation of the air conditioner for heating in conditions of low negative temperatures and high humidity.

  • Decision: If the air conditioner is not equipped with an automatic defrost system, try turning it on in cooling mode. In this case, the outdoor unit begins to give off heat to the street, heats up and gradually thaws.

Problem 6: Premature failure of the air conditioner.

  • Decision: To avoid this, do not operate it at temperatures below -10-15°C. At lower temperatures, the oil in the compressor thickens, and its wear increases many times over.

There are various rumors about the dangers of air conditioners. But in the press center of the capital's SES, we were told that there is nothing to be afraid of: with the timely replacement of filters and subject to the operating rules, the split system does not hide any harm. At least, there were no complaints to the sanitary and epidemiological supervision.

Courtesy of MATERIAL magazine

More and more people have recently been thinking about purchasing and installing devices for controlling the microclimate in their homes. In urban areas, especially if the apartment is entirely on the sunny side, air conditioning is the only option to create comfort during the hot summer months. The great cost of this useful device makes you want to save money by installing a split system with your own hands. Is this procedure as complicated as air conditioning installation companies assure? And how to install the air conditioner yourself according to all the rules to ensure its uninterrupted operation for the longest possible time?

Types of air conditioners

To create comfortable conditions in apartments, the following types of air conditioners are used:

Monoblock systems

All blocks of the conditioner are located in one case. This reduces the cost of the device, but also leads to certain inconveniences: the bulkiness of the system and the rather high noise from the compressor, not even at full power. They, in turn, are divided into two types:

  1. Window air conditioners. Pioneers among apartment systems. The main disadvantage: the device block occupies a significant part of the window opening. This prevents sunlight from entering the room, and it is extremely difficult to harmoniously fit its interior. Therefore, air conditioners of this type are becoming rarer.
  2. . Much more attractive in design than windowed ones. In addition to the tempting possibility of movement, they have one more indisputable advantage: the block practically does not require installation. It is enough just to equip with your own hands the hood from the room to the outside, to which the system is connected. But the cost of such air conditioners is quite high.

Two-block systems

In devices of this type, the refrigerant circulates between the outdoor and indoor units of the air conditioner. The main advantage of such systems is noiselessness. The main "troublemaker" - the compressor, is located behind the wall. The indoor units have different design and can be placed in the most convenient location. They are divided into 3 varieties:

  1. Wall split systems. The most affordable and common at present, have a power of 2 to 7 kW. They are perfect for maintaining the desired microclimate: in summer they create coolness, but it is also possible to operate the air conditioner for heating in winter. It is for such systems that the most relevant question is: how to install an air conditioner without resorting to the help of professionals?
  2. Channel conditioners. They are installed under the false ceiling structure and have a high power - 12–25 kW. This is enough for a fairly spacious apartment. Complicating the task is the need to correctly calculate the air exchange in the room. When installing thermostats and special electric valves, you can set your own temperature for each room in the apartment. Naturally, this complicates the installation of system blocks and significantly increases its cost.
  3. Cassette air conditioners. The main system is also hidden false ceiling. Cassette split systems are made so as not to stand out. As a rule, the dimensions of the grille of a cassette air conditioner coincide with the dimensions of the ceiling tiles: 600 by 600 mm, and with a higher power - 600 by 1200 mm. The dimensions of the indoor unit allow you to easily place it and all the necessary communications inside a standard metal profile grate used in the installation of suspended structures.

Preparing to install an air conditioner with your own hands: choosing a place

Since the most popular wall split systems, then we will describe how to install an air conditioner with our own hands, we will apply to them.

Choosing the location of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner in an apartment building can cause some difficulties:

  • The outdoor unit of the system cools the refrigerant, so it should be located so that, if possible, heat from the sun's rays is avoided. The north or east side of the house or balcony is well suited.
  • The massive outdoor unit of the air conditioner should be placed so as not to disturb the neighbors.
  • It is unacceptable for condensate from the drainage pipe to flow down the wall of the house. It must be taken out as far as possible.
  • Like any device, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner needs periodic maintenance. Therefore, it should be located so that it can be approached without much effort and risk.

When choosing a place for the internal part of the system, there are also a number of conditions:

  • It can not be placed near the elements of the heating system.
  • It is unacceptable that inner part split systems closed curtains or other objects that prevented the free movement of air.
  • The processor of the air conditioner unit may be damaged if it is located in the area of ​​intense electrical noise generated by household appliances. Therefore, for example, it cannot be placed in the kitchen.

Instruments

Selection necessary tool it won't be easy either. For work you will need:

  • Pumps: vacuum and bicycle.
  • Pipe flaring kit. Better with a pipe cutter. Copper tubes cannot be cut with another tool - sawdust will surely get inside them, which will disable the vacuum pump.
  • Reamer for finishing expanded pipes.
  • Pressure gauge for measuring pressure in the air conditioning system.
  • Indicator screwdriver and tester for mounting the electrical wiring of the units.
  • Perforator.
  • Bay of copper pipe.

It is better to take a whole bay of tubes, with the ends rolled at the factory. You can never guess with what tool the tube was cut if you buy only a part of the coil. Copper tubes must not have dents, cracks or other defects.

Installation of the external unit of the air conditioner

It should immediately be noted that the outdoor unit of the air conditioner should be located below the indoor one.

  • After marking the mounting points of the brackets, a hole is drilled for communications. Of course, in this case, it is necessary to avoid getting the drill into other communications or fittings, so the place for the hole must be chosen carefully. AT brick wall it is better to lay it along the seam of the masonry. If the concrete slab has frequent reinforcement, then the only way out is to drill a separate small hole for each wire or tube of the system.
  • Brackets are attached to the wall with anchor bolts. You can fix the outdoor unit of the air conditioner directly on the balcony by slightly changing the mounting scheme. But in any case, it is important to maintain the level: at the slightest distortion of the system, there will be problems with the condensate drain.
  • The most difficult stage of the operation is the direct installation of the external unit with your own hands. It weighs at least 60 kg, which is why this work must be done by at least two people. It may be necessary to use the help of industrial climbers or special equipment to securely fix the air conditioner to the brackets.

For normal operation of the system, it is necessary to leave a gap of at least 100 mm between the air conditioner case and the wall.

Installation of the indoor unit and necessary communications

Work progress:

  • The indoor unit is attached by hand to the mounting plate using a latch system. The plate is securely attached to the wall at a distance of at least 10 cm from the ceiling and at least 5 cm from the corner of the room. Having lifted the inner part together, it is fixed with latches.
  • The copper pipes of the air conditioner for the refrigerant supply are cut off with a margin of a meter for the intended bends. The minimum length of these communications is at least 1.5 meters. Carefully bending them, put on the nuts and flare the ends. The nuts are tightened tightly on the fittings, but without much effort.
  • The drain tube is attached to the block with a threaded flange or with a piece of heat-shrinkable hose.
  • The power supply of the air conditioner must be done through the machine. For a split system, its own wiring is laid with a cross section of at least 1.5 square meters. mm. A yellow wire with a green stripe is usually zero. This is where an indicator and a tester come in handy.
  • Both parts of the air conditioner are connected stranded wires according to the instructions in the diagram. At the slightest doubt, it is better to consult a specialist, repairing the system in case of incorrect connection will cost more.

Leak test and system filling

It is performed in the following sequence:

  • A bicycle pump is attached to the nipple, and all joints and tubes are covered with soapy water. If bubbles appear during the air supply, then tighten the nuts on the fittings.
  • After checking the tightness, air is pumped out of the air conditioner. A vacuum pump is attached to the nipple and runs for at least an hour. This is necessary to completely remove moisture from the system.
  • By attaching a freon cylinder to the unit using an adapter with a pressure gauge, the system is filled until the pressure specified in the instructions is reached. Then turn on the power supply through the machine.

If the air conditioner independently switched to the system test mode, then everything worked out. If not, then starting from the remote might help. Otherwise, you will have to call the wizard.

With a positive result, it remains only to insulate the wiring harness between the blocks with foil and waterproof electrical tape, after which the hole in the wall is blown with foam. Everything, you can enjoy the operation of the air conditioner.

Split system for indoor air conditioning, is more complex system than a conventional air conditioner. But it is worth noting that installing a split system with your own hands is a completely feasible process for each owner of this device.

Installation instructions

Installation instructions for split systems include the following items:

  1. Choosing a location for the system.
  2. Air conditioner installation.
  3. Installation of the internal system compartment.
  4. First, test run.

Of course, today there are many specialized companies involved in the installation and maintenance of indoor air conditioning systems. But most owners, in order to save money, prefer to mount the device on their own on site, and subsequently engage in its maintenance, all this is possible, even if before that you had no skills and did not encounter this equipment. It's just worth considering one factor when you install and configure new system on your own, keep in mind that the store's warranty for such equipment will no longer apply.

Selecting a location for the system

The air conditioning system must be located in a place that will not be cluttered up later. Air intakes and air distribution openings must be fully accessible.

The outdoor and indoor units should preferably be on the same level. If this is not feasible, then the maximum allowable height difference should be no more than 5 meters.

As for the wall on which you will hang the blocks, it must be sufficiently even and strong in order to withstand the considerable weight of the structure. That is why you should avoid installing an air conditioner on interior partitions.

The rules for installing split systems completely exclude direct sunlight from entering the indoor unit of the device. The condenser grid itself must be completely protected from direct rays. If the outdoor unit to be installed will be located on the roof, its front side should be turned to the shadow side.

It is also necessary to provide for the conditions for the installation of a drainage system, through which the condensate formed during the operation of the installation will be discharged to the outdoor unit.

The plastic used most often for the indoor unit is very sensitive to known fluorescent lamps, so it is desirable to install the device in a location that is far away from them.

And one more important condition. The inner compartment must be at least 1 meter from microwave oven, since the radiation emitted by the microwave during operation adversely affects the operation of the installation and causes interference.

Selecting a location for the outdoor unit

When installing the outer compartment, the most important thing is a strong mount. The wall must be flat, the fasteners in the form of special brackets must be installed in such a way as to dampen the vibration that occurs during the operation of the device as much as possible.

It is necessary to carry out the installation of the split system yourself so that the outer part of the system is located in a place accessible for subsequent installation and maintenance work. Of course, all air intakes should not be forced by anything.

Air conditioner installation

Before proceeding with the installation of the air conditioner, you need to take care of the availability of the necessary funds. You will need the following tool for installing split systems:

  • drilling hammer;
  • pipe cutter;
  • flaring tool;
  • pump;
  • a device that measures the pressure in a liquid.

Installation of the device includes the following operations:

  1. Initially, you should open the front panel and unscrew the screws from the cover that closes electric block, it needs to be pushed.
  2. An electrical cable is connected to the unit and the cover is put in place. A couple of useful notes, the unit itself should not be lower than 2m 30 cm from the floor surface, the socket should be close to the element, and have a ground connection.

Installation of the drainage system

The drain hose must run under the connection pipe. It should not twist or bend. In the future, the hose must be wrapped thermal insulation materials. Where the drainage route runs close to the wall, it is desirable to lay inserts of heat-insulating material. And the track itself is usually wrapped with felt tape.

Be sure to check the reliability of the connection of the joints of the drainage system, as this can subsequently lead to leaks. Next, the pipe is passed through a hole in the wall, and the block, which will be located indoors, is hung on the wall.

Experts are advised to adhere to the following restrictions when connecting a pipe line. From the inside, the number of possible bends in the route should not exceed 10 in total. The radius of the most possible bend should not exceed 10 cm.

The cap on the evaporator tube must only be removed immediately before installation work. First, air is released, then the nut on the connecting tube of the evaporator is unscrewed. Oil must be applied to the joint.

Hole tightness

Independent installation of a split system must be accompanied by careful sealing of all docking holes. It all starts with sealing the hole in the wall. For this, the usual standard putty is suitable.

The drainage pipe is usually tightly fixed with a special clamp. Concerning electrical connection and the cable connecting the blocks for data transmission, then they must be connected in accordance with a special diagram. Usually it is attached to the device passport. Depending on the type of installation and the manufacturer, the connection must also be made.

The cable and data line are connected to the appropriate terminals, which are usually marked different color. The cables connecting the two units must also be secured with a special clamp.

During the installation process, be sure to pay attention to the following factors:

  • The electrical unit must be securely fixed and closed. If this condition is not met, then the risk of injury increases. electric shock or elementary fire, since dust, dirt or water can easily get inside.
  • The electrical connection cable must under no circumstances be connected to the cold pipe. The cable through which the freon passes heats up during the operation of the installation, so their contact should be excluded.

How to bleed air

Do-it-yourself installation of a split system implies that you will also have to bring the system itself into working condition with your own hands. Initially, you need to get rid of the airiness of the system. To do this, you need to bleed air from the system.

  1. The nut of the service pipe, as well as the plugs on the liquid and gas valves, must be unscrewed.
  2. To do this, you need to turn the usual hexagon gas valve at 90 degrees. counterclock-wise. After counting about 10 s. turn back and close it. Then apply a normal soapy solution to check for gaseous leaks.
  3. If you did not find any leaks, repeat the procedure again, but after 10 seconds do not close it back, but press the fitting for service work. Steam should come out, indicating that air has begun to escape from the system.

Extra Freon charge

The maximum length of the connecting hoses through which freon moves must not exceed 7 meters. But in the case when another installation of the system is impossible for one reason or another, it is necessary to increase the length of the route for the refrigerant. In this case, a mandatory refueling of freon into the system will be required.

When all the work has been completed and, if necessary, additional refilling of freon into the system has been made, the next step will be the need to make a trial run of the installation.

It is advisable to take care of your own safety before this action. Pressing the forced start button will start the system. Sometimes the system makes a double sound when it is turned on. sound signal. This indicates that you can control the device using the item remote control. In order to check its operation, you should also alternately press the buttons on the remote control.

The minimum cost is 9500 rubles, this price includes installation and commissioning of a split system, delivery of equipment to the facility, consumables for a route up to 5 meters.

Leave a request, and the manager will calculate the total cost of work using Supplies. For more information about prices and services, please see the price list.

The installation of air conditioners, which were purchased at the Moscow Engineering Center, is carried out by the company's masters. We work on objects of any type: apartments, private houses, enterprises. During a preliminary consultation, our manager will help you decide on a specific model, as well as provide a preliminary estimate, taking into account the requirements of the client.

Consumables used during installation meet the most stringent European quality standards. Our masters work with:

  • copper pipes from Eluma (Brazil);
  • thermal insulation materials Armaflex (Germany-Russia);
  • fasteners Hilti (Russia).

Advantages of cooperation with us

  • ten years of experience in the installation of climate control equipment;
  • three-year warranty on equipment and installation;
  • free pickup from a warehouse in Vidnoye or delivery to the customer's address;
  • use of high-quality pipes, fasteners, thermal insulation;
  • showroom with daily opening hours (metro station Technopark);
  • free consultations of company managers.

The cost of installing air conditioners, including consumables:

Power Type of work The cost of work
up to 3 kW 9500 rub.* order
up to 4 kW Installation of a wall air conditioner 10500 rub.* order
up to 6 kW Installation of a wall air conditioner 11500 rub.* order
up to 8 kW Installation of a wall air conditioner 13500 rub.* order
up to 11 kW Installation of a wall air conditioner 18500 rub.* order
4 kW Installation of a cassette / ceiling / floor air conditioner On request order

* - the cost of consumables is calculated upon the fact of laying communications.

* - the cost of installing an air conditioner with a power of more than 6 kW at a height of more than 5 m is to be laid taking into account the alpwork.

* - basic installation: installation of blocks, pipelines, cables, drainage, duct up to 1 m inside, el. Pete. up to 2 m, total route up to 5 m.

* - travel outside the Moscow Ring Road = 40 rubles. per 1 km
* - the cost of a 2-stage unit consists of the amount of installation, K = 1.35, crimping, soldering.

Completed projects


Standard installation of split systems

On average, the installation of an air conditioner takes at least 2 hours. The basic set of works includes:

  • delivery of equipment and materials necessary for work;
  • fixing the main units using standard brackets (the outer one is mounted on bearing wall under the window, internal - on the adjoining wall);
  • laying a single complex of pipelines for freon and condensate drainage, as well as a connecting cable no more than 5 meters long;
  • fixing up to 1 meter of a plastic box, if required;
  • laying a power wire up to 2 meters long throughout the apartment inside the camouflage cable channel to the outlet.

The box and fasteners are not used when fixing communications between two blocks outside the building. The condensate drain hose comes out freely with them.

Before starting work, it is necessary to provide free access to a fully opening window for convenient and quick installation of the outer part of the air conditioner. A section of the wall is also freed, on which the internal parts of the structure will be installed, including wires and communications.

Two-stage air conditioner installation

Installation of air conditioners in two stages is required if additional work is required. The outdoor unit is installed during the renovation of the apartment. At the same time, laying and masking of communications between the external and internal blocks, etc., is underway. When the repair of the premises is completed, the indoor unit is mounted, the first start-up and final adjustment of the air conditioner are carried out.

This installation method is selected if required:

  • fix the outdoor unit in a non-standard position relative to the window (top or side), for which a winch is used or industrial climbers are involved;
  • install a canopy to protect the outdoor unit from snow or ice;
  • install an anti-vandal grill when the air conditioner is located below the second floor;
  • fix external communications on the wall, inside it or inside a special box;
  • lay a long track exceeding 5 meters;
  • take out to sewer system drainage pipes, as well as use a special pump that allows you to place drain hoses above the level of the indoor unit;
  • equip the split system with devices for working in conditions of negative temperatures, etc.

Installation Requirements

With a two-stage installation of air conditioners in apartments, the following rules must be observed:

  • freon pipes are subject to pressure testing and subsequent filling with dry nitrogen, after which the system remains under pressure until the installation is completed;
  • freon pipes are laid in thermal insulation;
  • the electric cable connecting the two blocks is laid in a strobe with a margin of at least 1 meter;
  • drains are checked by a strait and then isolated;
  • if drainage system crashes into sewer, installation required check valve(dry siphon);
  • cable connection for connecting the air conditioner to electrical network provided in advance, taking into account the preliminary project;
  • installation of blocks is carried out taking into account future placement decorative elements finishes: suspended or stretch ceiling, stucco, etc.;
  • the laid routes are photographed and fixed on the drawing in order to avoid their damage during further repairs.

If these rules are ignored, the following problems may occur:

  • clogging of throttling elements or valves and failure of the split system compressor due to debris, moisture or dust in the pipes;
  • freon leak due to damaged pipes;
  • the need to re-lay or solder the electrical cable connecting the blocks due to its insufficient length;
  • drips of condensate on the wall due to damage or blockage of the drain pipes;
  • the impossibility of placing the indoor unit in the planned place and the subsequent transfer of communications due to the unaccounted height of false ceilings and other decorative finishes;
  • the need to re-lay the cable due to damage.

It must be remembered that specifications communications laid during the first stage of installation of the air conditioner may change if the installation is completed after several years. Our masters use only quality materials, but even they lose their properties. In particular, oxidation processes lead to brittleness and brittleness of copper pipes.