Duct air conditioners: varieties, brands, selection, operation

Air conditioning devices can be much more varied than the layman thinks. A striking example of this is the channel-type technique. She deserves careful analysis and careful acquaintance.

To begin with, it is worth understanding how the duct air conditioner works. The essence of its action is that air masses are transmitted using special shafts and air ducts. The hardware part is mounted as an integral part of the air duct complex, and not simply attached to them. Hence the conclusion: planning and execution of installation work should be carried out at the construction stage. In an extreme case, it is permissible to carry out these works simultaneously with a major overhaul.

The outside of the air conditioning unit draws in air from the outside, and then it is pumped to the indoor unit using the air duct circuit. Along the way, cooling or heating of air masses can be carried out. The standard scheme takes into account that the distribution of air along the highways cannot be created by gravity. The sufficient efficiency of this system is ensured by the use of fans of increased power. Air cooling is achieved due to the heat exchange part of the evaporating device.

But the heat taken from the air must be removed somewhere. This task is successfully solved with the help of a heat exchanger connected to the condenser of the outdoor unit. Ducted air conditioners are in demand in shopping centers and shops. Subject to proper installation, a minimum level of extraneous noise is ensured. Some of the duct technology is designed to use water to remove heat. These are more powerful solutions and their cost is quite high, which limits their application in practice.

Air conditioning devices based on channel communications differ from other types:

• increased air performance;
• the ability to use several blocks at once;
• the ability to delete individual blocks if they are not needed;
• sufficiently high reliability even in difficult conditions;
• suitability for maintaining optimal conditions in several rooms at once.

However, it must be borne in mind that such complexes:

• are more expensive than most household and even professional counterparts;
• make high demands on the skill of designers;
• much more difficult to install than other air conditioning devices;
• in case of errors of execution and placement of components, they can be very loud.

Channel-type equipment is quite expensive. Especially if you do not buy the first available devices, but carefully select them for your needs with a margin. The cost increases with each additional block added. It is generally impossible to mount a duct air conditioner and connect it without the involvement of professionals, so you will also have to spend money on their services.

It is appropriate to start the review with high-pressure air conditioners of channel format. Such devices can create an overpressure of up to 0.25 kPa. Therefore, it turns out to ensure the passage of air even into large rooms with abundant branching. These include:

• halls;
• lobbies of commercial buildings;
• shopping malls;
• hypermarkets;
• office centers;
• restaurants;
• educational establishments;
• medical institutions.

Some high-pressure systems can be operated with fresh air. Adding additional air mass is a difficult engineering task. The overwhelming majority of the devices currently produced are designed for recirculation only. In order for the complex to work with supply ventilation, it is necessary to use special heaters for incoming air. This option is especially important in Russian conditions, and the further to the north and east, the more significant this requirement is.

The total power of the heating elements sometimes reaches 5-20 kW. This value is influenced not only by the climatic characteristics of the area and the required thermal regime, but also by the number of installed modules. Therefore, you have to use powerful wiring, otherwise there is a great risk, if not fires, then constant failures. Duct split systems with an average air pressure cannot guarantee a pressure of more than 0.1 kPa.

A head that does not exceed 0.045 kPa is considered low. Systems designed for such operating parameters are mainly used in the hotel industry. An important requirement is introduced: each air sleeve should be no longer than 0.5 m. Therefore, it will be possible to cool or heat the air in one small room and no more. According to some classifications, the low pressure threshold is 0.04 kPa.

In our country, you can purchase a duct air conditioner from at least 60 different manufacturers. Among inverter split systems, it stands out favorably Hisense AUD-60HX4SHH... The manufacturer guarantees an improvement in the air condition in an area of ​​up to 120 m2. Smooth power regulation is provided. The design allows for a head up to 0.12 kPa. The permissible amount of passing air reaches 33.3 cubic meters. m for every 60 seconds. In the cooling mode, the thermal power can be up to 16 kW, and in the heating mode - up to 17.5 kW. A special mode has been implemented - pumping air for ventilation without changing the air temperature.

If desired, you can use both the forced mixing mode and air drying. The option of automatic temperature maintenance and self-diagnosis of faults is available. Commands for this duct air conditioner can be given using the remote control. The designers have provided for the use of a timer to start and turn off the device. Uses R410A refrigerant to transfer heat. This type of freon is safe for both humans and the environment. The device can only be connected to a three-phase power supply.

If a duct type inverter air conditioner is required, an alternative may be Mitsubishi Heavy Industries FDUM71VF / FDC71VNX... Its execution is curious: there are both floor and ceiling components. Thanks to the inverter, a smooth power change is maintained. The maximum permissible length of air ducts is 50 m. The main modes for this model are air cooling and heating.

The minute flow in the duct can be up to 18 m3. When the air conditioner cools the atmosphere in the room, it consumes 7.1 kW of current, and when it is required to increase the temperature, 8 kW is already consumed. It makes no sense to count on functioning in the supply fan mode. But consumers will be pleased with the modes designed for:

• automatic temperature retention;
• automatic diagnostics of problems;
• operation at night;
• air drying.

As befits good-quality modern technology, product from Mitsubishi can remember the previously set settings. The lowest outdoor air temperature at which the cooling mode is maintained is 15 degrees. 5 degrees below the mark after which the device will not be able to warm up the air in the room. The designers took care of the possibility of connecting their product to smart home systems. The linear dimensions of the inner part of the duct air conditioner are 1.32x0.69x0.21 m, and for the outer part or a compatible window unit - 0.88x0.75x0.34 m.

Another noteworthy device is General Climate GC / GU-DN18HWN1... This device is designed to be connected to air ducts no longer than 25 m. The highest static pressure level envisaged is 0.07 kPa. The standard modes are the same as for the previously described devices - cooling and heating. But the throughput is slightly higher than that of the Mitsubishi product, and is equal to 19.5 cubic meters. m. per minute. When the device heats up the air, it develops a thermal power of 6 kW, and when it cools down, it develops 5.3 kW. The current consumption is 2.4 and 2.1 kW of current, respectively.

The designers took care of the possibility of ventilating the room without cooling or heating it. It will also be possible to automatically maintain the required temperature. By commands from the remote control, the timer starts off or on. The volume level during operation is not adjustable, and in any case is a maximum of 45 dB. An excellent safe refrigerant is used in the work; the fan can run at 3 different speeds.

Still very good results can show Carrier 42SMH0241011201 / 38HN0241120A... This channel air conditioner is able not only to heat and ventilate the room, but also to rid the home atmosphere of excessive humidity. The air flow is maintained through a special opening in the housing. The control panel included in the delivery set helps to work more comfortably with the device. The recommended serviced area is 70 m2, while the air conditioner is capable of operating from a regular household power supply, and its small thickness allows it to be built even into narrow channels.

But it is extremely difficult to select the correct duct ventilation device for an apartment or for a house, simply by looking at the information provided by the manufacturers. Rather, the choice can be made, but it is unlikely that it will be correct. It is imperative to pay attention to the reviews of other consumers. It is their opinion that makes it possible to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each option.

For obvious reasons, it is better to turn to independent engineers and designers, rather than those offered by the manufacturer, dealer or trade organization. Professionals will consider:

• glazing characteristics;
• glazed area;
• total serviced area;
• purpose of the premises;
• necessary sanitary parameters;
• the presence of a ventilation system and its parameters;
• heating method and technical properties of equipment;
• the level of heat losses.

The correct calculation of all these parameters is possible only after studying the features of the object itself and a number of measurements. Sometimes you have to use special software for the design of air ducts and the selection of good duct equipment.Only when the necessary properties of the channels, the need for air supply and the optimal installation locations have been determined, can the choice of the air conditioner itself be undertaken. There is no point at all making this choice without a project - it's easier to throw money down the drain in the literal sense. You also need to pay attention to:

• functionality;
• current consumption;
• thermal power;
• the possibility of air drying;
• contents of delivery;
• the presence of a timer.

When the equipment is selected, you need to know how to properly install it. Of course, the work itself is done by professionals, but it is absolutely necessary to control their actions. When choosing a place to install an air conditioner, you need to focus on requirements such as:

• the limiting level of sound insulation from residential and industrial premises;
• maintaining a temperature of at least +10 degrees (or reinforced thermal insulation of the indoor unit);
• approximately the same length of all ventilation ducts (otherwise, more or less strong temperature drops will occur along the duct).

Next, you need to figure out which duct is better. If considerations of minimum air losses are in the first place, it is necessary to give preference to round pipes. But they absorb excess space. In domestic conditions, rectangular air ducts are therefore the best choice. Most often, they are laid in the interval from the rough to the front ceiling, and this must be done before installing the air conditioner itself.

When it is planned to only cool the air in the summer, pipelines made of polymer materials become the best choice. If the consumer is also going to warm up the rooms in winter, preference should be given to steel. In this case, you should also watch that the size of the pipe coincides with the size of the pipes installed on the inside of the air conditioner. You need to think about where to put the wall grilles. They must effectively contain any dirt, and at the same time there must be no obstruction to the movement of air from any objects in the room.

All air ducts must be made only of completely non-combustible materials. Flexible corrugated tubing is not a good solution. It will sag in free areas, and wherever fasteners appear, strong compression will appear. As a result, normal aerodynamic drag cannot be achieved. Both diffusers and grilles must be designed for air movement at the limit mode with a speed of no more than 2 m / s.

If the stream moves faster, a lot of noise is inevitable. When, due to the cross-section or geometry of the pipe, it is impossible to use a suitable diffuser, it is necessary to correct the situation with an adapter. Where the air supply lines branch out, areas with low internal resistance are equipped with diaphragms. This will limit the movement of air currents as needed and provide the required balance. Otherwise, too much air will be directed to places with low resistance. Very long ducts require inspection hatches. Only with their help it is possible to carry out periodic cleaning from dust and dirt. When ducts are laid in ceilings or partitions, easily retractable elements are immediately installed, providing quick and easy access.

Service includes:

• cleaning of pallets where condensate flows;
• cleaning (as necessary) the pipe through which this condensate flows;
• disinfection of all components in contact with the liquid;
• measurement of pressure in the refrigeration line;
• cleaning filters;
• dust removal from air ducts;
• cleaning decorative bezels;
• cleaning of heat exchangers;
• checking the performance of motors and control boards;
• search for possible refrigerant leaks;
• cleaning fan blades;
• removing dirt from hulls;
• checking the health of electrical contacts and wiring.

For information on how to properly care for a duct air conditioner, see the next video.