All about the power of the split system

Summer heat evokes the only desire - to feel the coolness. The purchase and installation of a split system makes life much easier in the summer. However, not everyone decides to buy an air conditioner. Many are convinced that this technique is quite "gluttonous", so they are not ready to receive huge electricity bills at the end of the month. This article will answer the question of whether climate technology actually requires so much power for our comfort.

Often this is the term used to define the performance of the cold. Very often it is not shared with the electricity consumed by the equipment. However, these are two completely different concepts. In the operation of such systems, physical processes are used to expand and contract the refrigerant, which is why the cooling and heating values ​​are so different from the electrical indicator.

Modern split systems are equipped with air cooling and heating functions, therefore the amount of consumed energy is different. For example, the device generates 2.5 kW of cooling power, but consumes only 0.7 kW of electricity. Such indicators are explained by the fact that the split system does not need to produce cold, but only to remove the heat outside the room. With heating, these indicators will be higher, since the task is to heat the air in the room.

The choice of any equipment should be taken seriously. This is especially true for the split system. If the calculation of the cold power indicator is made incorrectly, then the cooling equipment will not cope with its main task.

The choice of such a technique is influenced by many different factors.

• Room area. The set parameter allows you to calculate the approximate energy consumption. For example, a room of 15 sq. m with a ceiling height of up to 3 m for cooling, you will need to produce 1.5 kW of cold. Unfortunately, there are cases of overestimation of the values ​​of the cooling capacity. This leads to high energy costs and to the speedy wear and tear of equipment.
• Price is also an important indicator. Don't think that expensive premium air conditioners have better performance. When choosing such equipment, it is necessary to pay attention to the reliability and quality of the device. You shouldn't buy a split system at a low price. Better to consider options for the average cost.
• Energy class is an indicator of the level of economy. Each model range of the split system is equipped with cooling and heating functions. There are 2 classes of energy efficiency. Latin letter "A" denotes the most economical group, "G" - costly. Manufacturers are improving technologies every year in an effort to reduce energy costs. The scale that determines energy efficiency has expanded - the designations for labeling have been added. For example, you can find the letter "A" with a +, "A ++" and "A +++". These models are more expensive, but the price quickly pays for itself in the form of savings in electricity bills.
• You also need to find out what type of compressor is installed in the device., because it is he who determines how much power the split system will need to work. To be more precise, this is the frequency of its rotation. Almost all devices work according to the on / off rule. The touch sensor records temperature fluctuations up or down from the one that was set.The electronic unit reacts to changes and starts the compressor. Having reached the desired value in the indicator, it turns off. Today, inverter climate systems are considered the most efficient. The engines work here without stopping, smoothly changing the speed, and, accordingly, consume less power.
• It is worth finding out what operating range of external temperatures the split system has (an indicator of the outdoor temperature at which the equipment works perfectly). It is desirable to divide the indicator from - 20 to + 47 degrees.

The square of the room is of paramount importance for calculating the power consumption. However, there are other factors for calculating complete data.

• The presence of a slightly open window or old wooden windows. In this case, the room is not hermetically closed, there is a flow of warm air from the street. Here you will have to purchase a device with a margin.
• The location of the apartment also matters. This is especially true when the apartment is located on the top floor of a panel house with a flat roof. In summer, the outgoing heat from the roof surface will be transferred to the apartment, which is an additional load on the climate system. This will increase the cooling capacity.
• The number of windows and their sizes have a certain influence. It is also an auxiliary source of heat, which should be taken into account, as well as the number of people staying in the room.
• Each type of construction has its own characteristics that affect the power indicator of the device: some are ideal for an apartment (multi-split systems, inverter air conditioner), others are of industrial importance (cassette, column, channel-type system).

Power consumption is measured in kilowatts and cooling power is measured in BTU / hour (BTU - British Thermal Unit for Thermal Energy). Air conditioners are labeled with numbers 7, 9, 12, 18 and 24. For example, AXIOMA ASX07E1_ASB07E1 or TCL TAC-09CHSA / XA71. In the first case, the specification indicates that the cooling capacity is 7000 BTU / hour, the number 7 will be indicated in the marking of such a split system. In the second option, the number 9 is indicated, which means the cooling capacity of the air conditioner (9000 BTU per hour).

For the convenience of the user in determining the power factor, the manufacturers of air conditioning systems have standardized these values. Below is a table that allows you to roughly estimate whether the cooling capacity of a split system is suitable for a particular room.

To choose a cooling system, it is best to contact a specialist - he will be able to correctly calculate and select equipment depending on the area of ​​the room, taking into account all the nuances.

Before proceeding with the calculation of the power value, the above factors should be taken into account, which directly affect the productive operation of the climatic equipment in the production of cold. The complete formula for calculating the cooling capacity of a split system looks like this: Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3. Q1 value is heat from walls, ceiling, floor. Calculated by the formula:

Q1 = S * h * q, where:

S - area;

h - ceiling height;

q is the illuminance factor (W / m3). Strongly shaded - 30, average - 35 (east and west), maximum sunlight - 40 (south).

Q2 - heat from technology (computer - 300 W, TV - 200 W).

Q3 - human heat gain. 100 W - no load, light movements - 125 W, hard work - 200 W.

For example, you have a room with an area of ​​20 sq. m. with a ceiling height of 2.8 m and windows facing east. There is only a TV and 2 people in the room.

The calculation looks like this:

Q1 = 20 * 2.8 * 35 = 1960 W (2.0 kW);

Q2 = 200 W (0.2 kW);

Q3 = 2 * 125 = 250 W (0.25 kW).

Now the obtained values ​​must be added: Q = 2.0 + 0.2 + 0.25 = 2.45 kW. This means that for an area of ​​20 sq. m, in which 2 people stay, split systems with an indicator of 9000 and 12000 BTU / hour are suitable. Better to take air conditioners with a small percentage of the stock.

There is also an easier way to calculate the cooling capacity that the air conditioning system produces. However, it will be approximate. To do this, it is enough to multiply the number of the model range of the split system by 3. For example, for a "nine", the maximum area for generating cold is 9 * 3 = 27 square meters. m. If the room is larger, then the air conditioner will have to be chosen more powerful.

In the next video, you will find a guide on choosing a split system and air conditioning.