The location for installing the indoor unit of the split system must be chosen wisely. Installation of equipment is a rather labor-intensive process, so moving it to another location will result in additional costs in the future. The indoor unit will need to be dismantled and then reinstalled using new consumables. In some cases, the cost of installing an air conditioner is comparable to its cost. That is why it is necessary to immediately determine the location of the split system for the entire period of operation.
Installation of a compact wall unit
The installation location is determined taking into account two conditions. We are talking about installation at the stage of apartment renovation or after its completion in a fully finished room ready for habitation. Let’s look at both options in more detail.
Installation of a split system in a renovated apartment
When buying an air conditioner for an apartment where renovation is not planned shortly, the choice of installation location is limited. As a rule, this is the area to
the left or right of the window and, if possible, as close to it as possible. The whole point is that the installation of equipment involves laying communications between the units. We are talking about a voluminous cable route. It is laid hidden in a groove or covered with a plastic box.
From an aesthetic point of view, it is not advisable to install a plastic panel in half of the room. Even if done carefully, its presence will spoil the appearance of the room. The best option is to install the unit so that the curtains completely cover the box. With this option, the route will be masked and will become almost invisible.
Laying the cable in a groove is accompanied by the formation of a large amount of dust. If you do not plan to start a new renovation, the best option for placing the indoor unit is opposite the street partition or near the window, as close as possible to the outdoor unit. This way, installation will be cheaper. The greater the distance between the units, the longer the communications. Therefore, you will have to pay for each linear meter. That is why there is a concept of “standard (direct) installation of a split system”, the main condition of which is the length of the route is no more than 3 m. This is the minimum value allowed by manufacturers, not expensive to implement.
Installing an air conditioner during apartment renovation
In this case, there are plenty of places for installation. The main thing is to remember that the greater the distance between the blocks, the more expensive the installation will be. It is also necessary to maintain the basic permissible parameters recommended by the manufacturer:
1. Maximum distance of the indoor unit (evaporator) from the outdoor (compressor-condenser) module. For household split systems, the horizontal distance fluctuates within 15–25 m. The height difference between modules reaches 10–15 m. When laying the route, it is necessary to take into account the number of bends in the pipeline at right angles. Each such turn is a minus meter of the permissible length of the route.
2. Dimensions of the indoor unit, fixation method, distances from walls, objects on the right or left, and distance to the ceiling (must be at least 10–15 cm). Regarding the installation height from the floor, a distance of 2.3 m will be sufficient to ensure maximum comfort.
Tips for choosing a mounting location for the indoor unit
It is advisable to install the air conditioner as far as possible from the area where a person is constantly present in the room. This can be a place above the entrance door to the room. Many designers recommend placing the indoor unit there. However, this is not a mandatory condition, since air flows can always be redirected to any part of the room. For this purpose, the split system design includes vertical and horizontal blinds. The power of the airflow is also adjustable. When purchasing an inverter air conditioner, comfort will always be maintained, regardless of the installation location of the equipment. The main thing is that the power corresponds to the size of the room. It is also important to correctly configure the split system so that it provides the desired temperature and comfortable microclimate.
Thus, when planning the installation of an air conditioner at the repair stage, you can think through everything in advance down to the smallest detail. Determine the optimal location so that the equipment performs all its functions and fits well into the interior. In this case, the installation will be carried out in two stages. First, it is necessary to supply pipelines and cables, and also provide for condensate drainage. The second, install the external and internal units after all repair work has been completed. Upon completion of the installation, the launch is performed. As a result, the air conditioner will be correctly installed, and all communications will be well hidden.
Installation of the outdoor unit
The external module is installed from the street side. This can be an external partition, loggia, attic, basement, or roof. Each option has its features.
Mounting an external module on a street wall using a high-rise worker
When installing an air conditioner on the wall of an apartment building, a high-rise worker is involved in the work. This increases costs since such activities are labor-intensive and associated with increased danger. The specialist must be provided with access to the roof, from where he will hang down to carry out installation work. The keys to the roof exit, as a rule, are in the management company. There may be several possible scenarios:
- The high-rise worker will be given the keys without any problems based on the documents presented, i.e. a certificate of admission to such work.
- The management company employees will require a project for installing the outdoor unit, approved by local authorities, based on which permission to perform installation work was obtained. The document can be prepared and approved independently. The term for reviewing the package of papers, as a rule, does not exceed 30 days.
- Representatives of the management company refuse permission to install an external module. For example, if the installation is supposed to be on the facade wall of the building. This option is possible if the front part of the house is visible from the main streets and avenues.
There are also individual situations that follow the rules and conditions of the management company. It is recommended to install the external unit so that you can reach the taps from an open window and fill the system with freon without involving a high-rise worker. This way you can avoid paperwork and unnecessary expenses associated with servicing the equipment.
Installing an external module under a window
With this option, all installation work will be carried out through a fully open window. The route can be laid along the wall outside or inside the room. In the first case, pipes with dark thermal insulation can spoil the appearance of the wall. In the second case, the route is closed with a plastic box, which is unaesthetic, or in a groove, which will be accompanied by dust formation.
If you look at the facades of many houses, you can see that even in the Northern capital, many neglect external aesthetics and lay the route along the outside of the wall. Pipes in a white box can also be laid inside. The main thing is to do everything carefully and disguise the structure. The main advantage of placing the external module in this way is that you do not need to involve a high-rise worker. All installation activities can be carried out through an open window.
Installation of an external unit on a loggia
This option is suitable if the location of the apartment does not have street partitions that face the yard, and it is prohibited to install the module on the facade. Installation is possible even if the loggia is completely glazed. The main condition is to ensure good ventilation.
The split system operates according to a simple scheme, which consists of transferring heat from one room to another or the street, taking into account the location of the compressor unit. When the air conditioner is operating for cooling, heat will move from the interior to the loggia. The rooms will be cool, and the balcony will be warm.
If the air temperature at the location of the outdoor module does not exceed 40 degrees, the entire system will operate efficiently and stably. If the indicators increase, the efficiency of the air conditioner will decrease. It will cool the room worse or will start to turn off due to the compressor overheating. Therefore, when turning on the cooling mode, you need to open the windows to ensure natural ventilation of the loggia and normal cooling of the system.
When turning on the air conditioner for heating, it is necessary to provide drainage from the tray of the outdoor unit housing. In this mode, the indoor module heats up, and the outdoor one cools down. Moisture from the air will form on the heat exchanger.
Installing an external unit on a loggia provides many advantages:
- no additional costs for the services of a high-rise worker;
- there is no need to coordinate the installation of an air conditioner with the management company;
- easy to service the external module – refill, clean, and perform other maintenance work;
- the split system will retain its original appearance longer.
- When installing an external module in the attic or basement, all the listed conditions must be met, as when installing on a loggia.
Important: If you plan to air-condition several rooms, you can purchase a multi-split system. It consists of one external unit and several internal ones. This way you can save free space on the loggia, without cluttering the space with several modules.
Installation of the external unit on the roof
During installation, special brackets or stands are used. There are options for fastening a roof with an oblique slant, as well as for a flat roof. When passing through ceilings, waterproofing work may be required, taking into account the location of the communications.
Thus, there are quite a lot of places to install an air conditioner in an apartment. There are no unsolvable problems, everything comes down to financial costs. The more complex the installation, the more expensive it is. There is no opportunity to save in every case, especially when choosing the optimal location for the split system.
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