Do-it-yourself installation of a window air conditioner: selection, installation instructions, useful tips

The very first household air conditioners were monoblock window models. A couple of decades ago, just such devices were successfully installed in houses and apartments. Over time, two-unit split and multi-systems have appeared on the market of climatic equipment, but window / window air conditioners offered by manufacturers in improved versions have not given up their positions.

In the article we will consider information about window (vents) air conditioners, positive and negative aspects, design and operation features, what to look for when buying, how to properly install and maintain.

Window air conditioner device

The principle of operation of this is the transfer of thermal energy, which is carried out due to thermodynamic processes occurring in the cooling circuit. The air that circulates outside the building is cooled by a condenser heat exchanger.

The heat content of the refrigerant is minimized and the reverse process takes place in the evaporator. A refrigerant with a small amount of heat cools the surface of the evaporator, thereby cooling the indoor air.

This is how a window air conditioner works

A window air conditioner consists of the following elements:

Refrigeration circuit - consists of a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser. It is needed to cool the air circulated inside the room.
Axial fan - designed to drive outdoor air through a heat exchanger.
Centrifugal fan - it is necessary to supply air cooled from the street to the room.
Control paneland I. The rotary mechanisms are located here, as well as the thermostat.

The whole structure is enclosed in a body made of metal. Separately, it is worth highlighting the air shutters that open and close depending on the operating mode of the device.

Schematic work of modern "windows"

Despite all the variety of window units presented today in this market segment, the schematic work of each of them has general principles. As a rule, the air conditioner is a kind of monolithic single unit mounted in a window opening or in a mounting hole in the wall. The latter method of installation is rarely used.

Window air conditioner operation

In earlier models of "windows" all the accumulated condensate was discharged directly to the street (to the outside), while modern models are equipped with a special tank designed to collect condensate formed on the evaporator. And the ventilation blades provided by the design rotate and take the accumulated water, spraying it inside the body cavity of the unit. This allows the accumulated heat to be dissipated outside the building.

During the operation of the unit, the refrigerant coming from the compressor begins to circulate through the casing (inner side of the monoblock) and the heat exchanger (outer side). In this case, the fan draws in air from the room and passes it through the dust filter.

The cleaned air blows in the entire volume of the evaporator, while the refrigerant takes away all its heat, respectively, the air is cooled and returned to the inside of the room. At this time, the heated refrigerant flows to the heat exchanger. All the accumulated heat is transferred to the air flow, which is forced by the fan through the air intakes located on the sides, and, ultimately, is thrown out into the external environment.

As a rule, the operation of window air conditioners implies a certain cycle, the observance of which is controlled by the operation of the temperature sensor.

Sizes of window air conditioners

This device is designed to cool air in one room with a certain square. Instrument sizes vary:

length from 710 to 877 mm;
width from 428 to 490 mm;
height from 350 to 510 mm.

The size of the device should not exceed the size of the window opening, otherwise problems may arise at the time of installation. Such a unit is allowed to be installed in a wall, but on condition that its thickness does not exceed 250 mm. Before purchasing a model for installation in a plastic window, it is recommended to fully calculate all the dimensions of the future device.

Smallest window air conditioner

Many people try to save space in the room as much as possible, so they choose small-sized household appliances. On sale you can find the smallest air conditioner for a window, its dimensions will be as follows:

length - 452 mm;
width - 325 mm;
height - 313 mm.

The weight of the device will not exceed 20 kg, so you can install it yourself... Small units will not be able to fully cool the air in large rooms.iyakh. Therefore, such devices are designed for small rooms up to 15 square meters.

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Choosing the best location

Heating should also be avoided indoors. In order to correctly put a window air conditioner in a room, you need to choose a place remote from stoves, fireplaces, boilers, all types of radiators, boilers and even refrigerators. From their influence, the climate system will not work correctly.

The equipment must be protected from active exposure to water. For this reason, do not place the air conditioner next to a kitchen sink or bathroom. If water gets inside the case or steam in large quantities settles on the internal electrical components, it should be immediately disconnected from the power supply and invited by a technician for inspection.

Only a certified repairer will be able to determine if the functional elements of the window equipment are damaged by water penetrating under the hull. And also in order to exclude the slightest possibility of exposure to water, it is forbidden to place a climate mini-system in bathrooms, bath buildings, showers, laundries, swimming pools.

Direct exposure to water and domestic steam on the inside of the air conditioner is undesirable. Installing them in rooms with a characteristic increase in the level of humidity is not recommended by the manufacturer. In cases of violation of the rules, the manufacturer relieves itself of obligations to fulfill warranty obligations

To eliminate the influence of electromagnetic waves on the operation of a window air conditioner, it should not be installed next to any type of electrical equipment. Even a radio receiver is capable of knocking down the working process. The permissible distance to electrical appliances is stipulated by the manufacturer in the manual for the product, usually it is 1 m.

It is not recommended to connect the climate system to the network via an extension cord. The power point should be located relative to the chassis so that the cord is long enough for a direct connection. On the other hand, the distance between the electrical installation product and the body must not be less than 50 cm.

Also, it is not allowed to place devices near the air conditioner that are potential sources of gas leaks. This category includes boilers, gas water heaters such as water heaters, gas convectors, stoves and cylinders filled with blue fuel.

To protect against atmospheric phenomena, rains, snow falls, icicles falling from the roof and other negativity, a visor is installed above the window air conditioner, built like a canopy

In order to ensure a stable inflow and outflow of air in the volume indicated by the manufacturer, all grids intended for air inlet and outlet must be completely open. Owners must have free access to service the unit. And the masters of the service center need to provide an opportunity for inspection.

Window air conditioners are categorically not suitable for installation in warehouses of building mixtures and in apartments in which building materials are stored for major repairs. It should not be installed in boiler rooms. It is also not suitable for the kitchen of a catering establishment.

Pros and cons of the device

An indisputable advantage of the device will be installation in a wooden window or in a glass unit made of metal-plastic. Thus, the owners of the premises can significantly save space on the wall, which could not be done when installing a standard split system.

Several positive characteristics of this device:

affordable cost;
ease of installation;
the possibility of self-installation;
mobility - the device can be removed and installed in another place, for example, in the country;
miniature design;
ease of use;
complete absence of the need for refueling with refrigerant.

Another positive point is trouble-free operation for several decades due to the well thought-out design and its compactness.

Of the minuses, according to user reviews, they single out high noise level: 40-59 dB... Another problem is when installing a window air conditioner the room gets darker, since part of the window is closed by the device in one of the parts.

Preparatory stage

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

Installation of "splits" is much more difficult than installing floor and window air conditioners. Here, 2 separate blocks must be correctly placed outside and inside the room, laid and tightly connected to 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-installation:

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

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

Now a few tips on where to install the outdoor unit:

From the point of view of ease of installation and maintenance, it is better to place the unit on an open balcony or loggia, where it can be safely cleaned or repaired.
Hang it under the window of the living room or kitchen.
It is not recommended to independently mount the module to the wall on the side of the window opening - such activities are performed by fitters and climbers with special equipment.
Do not place the outdoor unit near the bedroom window. The compressor of the refrigeration machine will start and stop, while it can vibrate and rattle, interfering with proper rest.

How much does a window air conditioner cost

It is generally accepted that devices for air cooling installed in a window opening are much inferior in cost to standard split systems. This opinion is partially wrong, as the price of the product will vary depending on the manufacturer's brand and additional features. Several options for proven models with an indication of the approximate cost:

General Climate GCW-07CR - 15010 rubles, power 2100 W, cools a room up to 20 sq. M.
Gree GJC07AA-E3NMNC1A - 27400 rubles, power 2150 W, dehumidifies and ventilates the air.
General Climate GCW-24CR - 32,020 rubles, designed for an area of 65 square meters, power is 6.76 kW.
Gree GJC18AC-E3NMNC1A - 53,150 rubles, power 5.3 kW, designed for rooms with an area of up to 50 sq. M.

According to the price selection, we can conclude: the larger the area for which the air conditioner is designed, the higher its cost will be. The higher the power of the device, the higher its price will be. Depending on the power and area of the blowing, the air flow changes. For example, in devices with high power, the air flow is 670 cubic meters / hour, and in models with small power, this figure will be 350 cubic meters / hour.

How to install an indoor unit on a glazed balcony

When installing an indoor unit on a loggia or balcony, it is enough to provide a number of basic rules. The structure is mounted on a wall or floor, depending on the type of equipment. First, the floor should be insulated so that the resulting condensation when cold air comes into contact with the floor does not destroy the concrete coating.

The door to the refrigerated room must be constantly open for the air conditioner to work properly. It should be understood that when the outdoor unit is placed on a glazed balcony, there may be a low efficiency of the equipment and the difference between the temperature set on the air conditioner and the actual air temperature.

How to install a window air conditioner

Prepare the instruments in advance to properly install the electronic device to cool the ambient air. You will need a jigsaw, drill, tape measure, level, grinder, glass cutter and a construction knife. It is best to install the device in a plastic window opening. If the frame is not strong enough, then the installation site is additionally reinforced with metal profiles. Follow the instructions:

Prepare the opening for the installation - remove the glass unit, insert the jumper and, if necessary, cut the glass to size.
Fix the mounting frame - fix the air conditioner body with bolts, level with a building level.
Seal the holes with polyurethane foam.
Install the drain hose, making sure there are no kinks or kinks.
Connect to the mains, make sure the air conditioner is grounded.

DIY video

When the installation of a window air conditioner with your own hands is completed, you need to check its performance. To do this, it is important to connect the device to the network and start it up.

Expert opinion

Nikonorov Vladimir Alekseevich

Our expert. Air conditioning and ventilation specialist with 10 years of experience.

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If the device makes too much noise during operation, it is recommended to re-check the evenness of its installation using a building level.

Installation rules

Connecting a mobile air conditioner with your own hands assumes compliance with the following rules:

the mobile air conditioner is connected to the mains directly - using an extension cord or adapter is unacceptable;
cannot be installed in the bathroom;
correctly installed equipment should be at least half a meter from other objects in the room;
do not put a fuse on a grounded cable - the air conditioner may freeze;
upon completion of installation, it should be possible to freely remove the plug;
the device cannot be switched on when the protective panel is removed.

With a competent approach to business, you can unpack and connect the air conditioner yourself within an hour. However, in the absence of a window or any other ventilation system in the room, the installation of a portable air conditioner is not possible.

Installation methods:

when it is necessary to remove the air exhaust pipe through the window;
when the pipe is brought out into the street through other ventilation systems.

Before starting installation, many manufacturers recommend drawing up an approximate plan of action with a design diagram for removing hot air. It is necessary to measure all objects involved in the process: first of all, the opening of the window for laying, as well as the diameter of the duct. After that, you need to take a utility knife or saw and cut out a special insert from the metal, which will correspond to the obtained dimensions. As a result, you will get a flat rectangle in which you will need to cut holes with a diameter of about half a centimeter. This will be needed to secure the pipe.

Next, the insulating glass unit is sealed. For this, the best option would be to use self-adhesive mounting tape or sealant. The previously cut insert must be attached to the glass unit. For the installation itself, you need to decide on the places where the air conditioner will stand and where it will be mounted. Then the drain hose is simply inserted into the air outlet. It should be borne in mind that several hours must pass before the mobile air conditioner is switched on after installation.

How to clean a window air conditioner

The air conditioner can be operated more efficiently by cleaning it regularly. To do this, disconnect the device from the mains, remove the front panel and remove the filter. If it is removable, it is better to replace it completely with a new one.

If the filter is reusable, it is advisable to clean it thoroughly. This can be done with a vacuum cleaner or dishwashing liquid, if it can be washed in water.

From the outside, the appliance can be gently brushed to remove dirt and debris from the effects of bad weather. To do this, open the external unit by unscrewing the bolts. If it is not possible to get to the metal blades, you can gently wipe them with a damp cloth. The holes in the pan and drain pipes must also be clean.

It is recommended to clean the filter in the spring, and then wet clean it every month after regular use. Heat exchanger plates made of metal are best washed with water.

When cleaning metal ribs, you need to be careful: the vacuum cleaner easily deforms the fine structure of parts. The manual for the use of the device must indicate whether the device needs lubrication. This often applies to older type air conditioners.

Refueling window air conditioners

Before refueling the unit, you need to understand whether it needs refueling? In most cases, window devices do not need regular refueling due to the design features. All connections are sealed here, which reduces the risk of freon leakage.

It is unlikely that you will be able to refuel the device on your own. - for this, contact a specialized company. The craftsmen will find the place of leakage, solder it, after filling the copper tube with freon.

Window air conditioners are considered to be durable appliances. They are easily installed in the frame of a plastic or wooden window, are easy to operate and do not require refueling. Such units will become an effective assistant in the fight against heat in the summer.

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