Choosing an air conditioner for the house, we often pay attention to its power consumption and basic capabilities. Other functions of the air conditioner, such as ventilation, air dehumidification, its filtration and disinfection remain out of our attention. But manufacturers are putting more and more efforts to introduce into their devices new developments and useful ideas of engineering thought, which can make our life an order of magnitude more comfortable.

Consider the basic modes of operation of air conditioners and the opportunities that they provide to users

Cooling and heating

Cooling has always been and remains the main purpose of any air conditioner. It occurs due to the use of a physical process, in which the coolant, passing from a liquid state to a gaseous one, absorbs heat from the environment. This leads to cooling of the air flow entering the room (accompanied by the effect of dehumidification due to the removal of moisture from the air). Calculate the capacity of the air conditioner for cooling is as follows: for every 8-10 square meters of space, 1 kW of power is required for normal operation of the device.

The "warm" version of the air conditioner (with the heat pump function) allows to produce 300-400% more heat compared to the electricity used for this. In connection with this, its use in the spring-autumn period is energetically expedient, and the regimes justify their availability.

However, in winter, when the temperature drops significantly below zero, compressor oil and Freon in air conditioners change their properties. This can lead to a quick breakdown of the device due to work in improper conditions. The solution of the problem is the use of a special "winter kit" (serving for additional heating of the entire system), which allows expanding the range of "working" temperatures to -30 ° C. However, in the appendage to convert the air conditioner into a heater, you get a device that shamelessly "eats" electricity (due to low efficiency) and your money.

There is a separate class of air conditioners equipped with a heating towel. They also use a lot of electricity and are not profitable (compared to other kinds of heaters).

Ventilation

This mode of the air conditioner (fan) uses only the fan in the indoor unit, by means of which air is taken from outside without heating or cooling it. The use of this function is especially important if the room is heated by a central heating system.

It is possible to turn off the supply of outdoor air, turning the air conditioner into a "mixer" of air masses in a room where The lower and upper layers are warmed with varying intensity (closer to the ceiling is collected warm, and below - the colder air).

More advanced in the technical plan models have the ability to adjust the fan speed, so that you can specify a different intensity of ventilation.

Drying mode (dry)

This mode is suitable for wetlands, it uses a physical phenomenon, in which the moisture from the warm air drops out on the cold surface (condensation). The process of dehumidification takes place during normal cooling, but not so intensively.

In addition, when the "dry" mode is activated, the room temperature practically does not change, and the compressor switches on only if it deviates 1 degree above the norm (or half a degree below). The drainage time lasts 10 minutes, after which there is a pause for, min and a two-minute activation of the normal ventilation mode. At the end of all stages, the cycle provided by the program "dry" is repeated again.

Automatic Mode Selection

This function allows the air conditioner to choose the most optimal operating modes. The automation of the device itself determines how to achieve the user's instructions in the best way possible (achieved by combining the ventilation, heating or cooling modes, replacing each other as they go necessity). The system can independently start the process of dehumidifying air, if this helps to achieve the necessary temperature.

Comfort Sleep function

Activating this mode reduces the fan speed in the external unit to a minimum, due to which the device becomes silent and does not interfere with sleeping. In addition, the air conditioner begins to closely monitor the temperature and gradually increases it or lowers it if necessary (in case of deviation from the specified zone of "comfort").

Sleep mode allows you to save energy significantly: the device will stop working after a specified period of time.

Timer

With this function, the air conditioner can adjust the temperature in advance, before your arrival, or stop working after a certain time interval (indicated by the remote control).

Defrosting of the heat exchanger

The electronics of the split system during the operation of the device produces a constant measurement of the temperature of the refrigerant contained in the outdoor unit circuit. When the air conditioner uses the heating mode, the refrigerant accumulates the cold ("withdrawn" from the air in the room), which inevitably leads to its freezing.

When the sensors fix the temperature drop of the outdoor unit's contour below -6 degrees, the first defrost is started. It usually takes 10 to 12 minutes to complete, after which the heating of the circuit stops, and the coolant again acquires the ability to accumulate cold.

The presence of such a function will be useful in the operation of air conditioners in the cold season.

Air purification and filtration

Modern air conditioners are equipped with multi-stage filters that can prevent large dust particles and harmful micro-organisms that can not be seen in the room. The filter system has three degrees of purification. The first is a small metal grating (for rough air cleaning), the second - an electrostatic filter, "attracting" the microbes and pollen of plants. The final purification step removes tobacco smoke particles and other sources of unpleasant odor from the stream.

Panasonic has developed a special catechin filter that can not only absorb dust, smoke particles and pollen, but also to deactivate the bacteria and viruses that enter it. Catechin violates the ability of viruses to attach to healthy cells of the body, covering microscopic "thorns" on the surface of harmful agents.