Many owners of a split system have a question whether it is possible to turn on the air conditioner for heating in winter. To begin with, you should understand the principle of operation of such equipment, learn a few rules of use and carefully study the instructions. This is due to the fact that each model has its own functions.
First, learn how your device works.
The principle of operation of the air conditioner for heat and its features
Any air conditioner is not a heating device for its intended purpose, since it does not have a heating element. In this regard, in order to maintain a comfortable microclimate, this climatic device will, most often, not be enough.
This is due to the fundamental features of the work, since the split system is capable of functioning only with the permissible indicators of a street thermometer. Usually, the manufacturer indicates such a temperature regime in the accompanying instructions for their equipment.
Basically, the following range of minus temperatures is allowed for switching on the split in the "heating" mode:
- Standard air conditioners can be turned on up to - 5˚С .;
- Inverter split systems are designed for operation up to - 15˚С;
- Some modern models with heat pumps are adapted to work up to - 25˚С.
In principle, the operation of an air conditioner for heating differs from the "cooling" process in the opposite movement of freon. This is achieved by switching a four-way valve located in the external block.
Thus, the evaporator in the indoor unit and the condenser in the outdoor unit are swapped. In the indoor radiator, refrigerant condenses with the release of heat, and in the outdoor radiator it evaporates, while the heat exchanger is cooled. Heat is pumped from one radiator to another, but is not generated.
In this regard, during the heating process, the efficiency of the split system significantly drops, which makes its operation ineffective at zero or minus temperatures outside the window.
Summer work
Any air conditioner with cooling mode does not have a heating element. There is a valve inside the outdoor unit that helps the refrigerant to rotate. The evaporator and condensate are swapped, and the heat exchanger of the indoor module receives the heat of the freon and cools it. The propeller drives air through the condenser and heats up the air stream. Freon is supplied to the outdoor unit already cold. There he takes heat from the room and gives off the cold.
The air conditioner does not heat the air inside, but simply drives it. Such a plan is effective when the outside temperature is above zero. If the outside temperature is below 0 ° C, the air conditioner may not cope with the task, so it is better to buy a more powerful model. It will warm the room even in severe frosts.
This is how the air conditioner works
What is the efficiency and thermal efficiency of air conditioners
The efficiency of air conditioners is usually indicated by the coefficient of performance (the ratio of the produced cold to the consumed power) and the thermal coefficient (the generated heat to the consumed power). The calculation of this value is done from the ratio of the consumed power to the useful power.
Important!
The power consumption of the air conditioner, measured in kW, is much less than the cooling power. It is possible to determine the efficiency of the climatic device only when the efficiency of the device in the heating process is greater than unity.
If the temperature outside the window is above zero, then the amount of generated heat will be approximately three times greater than the consumed energy. With a consumption power of 1 kW, the heating power will be 3 kW.Moreover, the equipment usually indicates the nominal capacity, in this case, it will be a digital value of 1 kW.
The need to take into account the true conditioning processes has led to the emergence of all sorts of energy efficiency values.
In this case, the following aspects should be noted:
- Typically, EER is shown for standard mode (total thermal performance under normal conditions). Test measurements carried out in the Moscow region are considered to be classical conditions according to ISO 5151. At the same time, the outside temperature at that moment was + 32˚С, and inside the room + 26˚С.
- The EER of climatic devices is typically 2.5 to 3.4, and the COP is 2.8 to 4.0. This shows that the second value is higher than the first. This is explained by the fact that during operation the compressor heats up and gives up its heat to the refrigerant. It is for this reason that split systems generate more heat than coolness.
- There are seven EER categories for classifying the energy efficiency of the air conditioners. They are designated from A to G, while the split systems of class "A" have COP> 3.6 and EER> 3.2, and class "G" - COP <2.4 and EER <2.2.
Exploitation
In general, on the Internet you can easily find different photos of the air conditioner in the winter with some home-made additions, but it is better to buy all the official parts, so as not to worry about the breakdown of expensive equipment.
Most systems do nothing if outside the window is below 5 degrees of frost, there are those who refuse to do something even at +5. Inverter systems look better in this regard - -15 degrees is not the limit for them.
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And those brands where the heat pump is also installed are able to withstand even cold temperatures up to 30 degrees below Celsius. The effect naturally depends on the situation outside the window. Control all processes, read the rules carefully and monitor the activity of split systems.
Outside Temperature Range Limitations
Most split systems with "heating" mode have limitations: manufacturers produce air conditioning units with a tolerance for thermometer readings up to - 5˚С. Failure to comply with the requirements written in the instructions leads to gradual wear of the compressor and its further failure.
In some split systems, the entire system is automatically blocked if the air conditioner is turned on with a violation of temperature indicators. In this case, only an error code is displayed on the display, indicating the incorrect operation of the device.
Possible breakdowns
Each user should know that it is necessary to use a split-system for heating according to the instructions. The main reasons for frequent breakdowns are improper use of the device and non-observance of the temperature regime. Situations often arise when, after pressing the necessary buttons and selecting the desired mode, the heat does not go out. There can be many reasons for this and they must be checked. Such phenomena are not uncommon:
- the batteries in the remote control do not work;
- the sensor does not respond well to the device;
- there are violations in the work of software supply;
- severe breakdown of the air conditioner.
The most common cause of device breakdown is a malfunction of the batteries in the remote control, so many believe that they were slipped into a marriage. It is very simple to solve the problem, just change them to new ones and start the device again.
If the problem lies in a sensor malfunction, then in this case it will not be possible to solve it on your own. It is best to return the device under warranty or call a technician.If the warranty for the air conditioner is still valid, then the air conditioner must be replaced with a new one or the sensor equipment must be replaced.
Software crashes are not uncommon. They always appear in different ways. The system may freeze, the air conditioner may reboot itself, turn on and off.
All this makes it clear that there are problems that urgently need to be solved before the device is completely broken. Therefore, it is better not to try to repair the device yourself, but to contact a service center.
When the equipment completely stops working, if it has been used for other purposes or has been rebooted frequently, repairs will be expensive for such problems, and it is better to consider buying a new air conditioner.
Operation of air conditioners in winter - myths and misconceptions
Many users are wondering whether it is possible to turn on the air conditioner for heating when the thermometer is negative? Manufacturers answer unequivocally that standard climatic devices cannot be started in the "heating" mode in winter.
The reason lies in the fact that the mineral oil used in such split systems can effectively fulfill its purpose only when it is liquid. If the air conditioner is turned on at a negative temperature, then such oil thickens, and ultimately the compressor will fail, since the movement of the flywheel and piston group will occur almost dry.
However, manufacturers have developed models of split systems with an extended operating temperature range, and now it is possible to use the equipment in cold weather. In connection with the invented starting device, the split can be operated not only in the range declared by the manufacturer, but also at much lower temperatures.
You just need to choose a modern air conditioner with parameters that are appropriate for this task. For example, Daikin air conditioners can be used at a temperature of -8 ° C, and VRF - up to -14 ° C. And models such as MitsubishiElectric or Dantex air conditioners can keep the room warm at outdoor temperatures down to -25˚С.
For reference!
The VRF air conditioner with heating mode is essentially a heat pump with an efficiency of up to 400%. For comparison, the efficiency of any heater or boiler can be 85-95% maximum.
If the split has already been purchased and it is required to use it at sub-zero temperatures, then in this case the installation of the winter kit is used.
The set includes the following items:
- heating cable for drainage;
- heating element (heating element) for the compressor;
- a device for reducing the fan speed.
This kit can be supplied to many split systems, but only a specialist from the service center is allowed to make such an installation. Of course, it is possible to re-equip the climatic equipment, but this is risky for the system: the slightest failure during split operation can lead to compressor damage. It is better to use special heating devices or a heat gun for heating.
Devices with winter mode
It should be understood that it is not always possible to successfully install additional winter parts. Further operation of the device depends on the parts themselves, the dimensions of the air conditioner and the installation method, so it is better to immediately purchase an air conditioner that will work in winter for heating and in summer for cooling. There are 2 types of air conditioners that work well in winter.
- Cooper & Hunter CH-S09FTXLA Arctic Inverter is a suitable option for heating a room of 25 sq. m. The average engine power is 2.8 kW. It transfers the air temperature outside to -25 ° С. The device includes a smart detail that checks all parameters before starting the engine. The minimum cost of this air conditioner model is 33,800 rubles.
- GREE GWH12KF — K3DNA5G - this model works well at an optimum temperature down to -18 ° С. A room with dimensions of 35 sq. m can be fully heated. The device consists of an electrostatic filter and a smooth start. Freeze protection of the outdoor unit is provided, which consists of particles of heating the crankcase and the drain. The starting price of such a device is 32,000 rubles.
Choice of split systems with heating function
When choosing a heated air conditioner, consider the following parameters:
- power consumption of electricity;
- thermal energy performance;
- energy efficiency category;
- range of permissible operating temperatures;
- automatic defrosting mode of the condenser in the outdoor unit.
And there are also several other aspects that should be borne in mind when operating an inexpensive air conditioner in heating mode: the purpose of the room (residential, industrial); the size of the room. For example, if this is a production hall with a large number of workers, then much less energy will be consumed for heating. Consequently, the efficiency will be close to the best value.
If you need to choose a split without built-in heating, then it is better to stop at inverter air conditioners with winter accessories, since they are designed to operate in an extended range of subzero temperatures.
Air conditioning cooling in winter
In some rooms, it is necessary to constantly cool the air, because there is expensive equipment. As already mentioned, most often these are server rooms that have a high heat dissipation. When temperatures rise in summer, equipment can fail and disrupt the operation of the entire enterprise.
Magnetic resonance imaging machines in hospitals are similar equipment. These devices cost several hundred thousand dollars and are very expensive to install and repair. The task of the air conditioner is to protect the MRI machine from damage, so it must work for cooling both in winter and in summer. In the summer, there are no problems, but in the winter you need to put heating for the climatic equipment and observe the temperature regime.
In areas with harsh climates, it is better not to save on cooling of electronic diagnostic equipment, since repairs will cost more than the most expensive model. The best are Japanese split systems, which turn on at temperatures up to minus 25 degrees, and with a winter kit up to minus 30.
Several cooling systems are installed in special rooms so that in the event of any failure, you can turn on the spare.
Winter kit
It is a collection of several devices:
- Drainage heater. Heats up the communications so that the discharged liquid can pass freely through the pipes.
- A device that heats the compressor crankcase of the outdoor unit. It contributes to the heating of the inactive compressor, so the latter starts up already warm, the oil is liquid, the freon is cooled.
- A device that reduces the fan speed to normalize the efficiency of the device (for the cooling function, when heating, the fan must rotate faster than usual).
Installing the kit on a unit with a heating option will not help the air conditioner to function properly in winter. This arrangement will only be correct in the case of cooling work.
Equipment modifications equipped by manufacturers with a winter kit and an anti-icing program are also ineffective in winter, despite the specified temperature ranges. In frosts, a small part will work. Models of semi-industrial type are capable of heating.
Main function
The main primary function of household climatic equipment is to cool the interior space of an apartment or room. That is why the purchase of air conditioners has become a mass phenomenon before the start of the summer season. How does the air cooling process take place?
The split system is equipped with a cooling circuit made of copper pipes. Freon circulates inside. Features are such that when it evaporates, it is able to cool the air. The internal block of the climate device has a heat exchanger through which the freon evaporates and gives off cold. A nearby fan supplies room air to the evaporator, drives it through it, giving out a cooled stream.
Then the heated freon moves to the external block, inside of which it is converted, gets rid of the accumulated heat and, ready to cool, returns again to the evaporator. Thus, the main cooling function of the air conditioner is realized.
