Is it possible to use the air conditioner for heating in frost and how to prepare it for this work?

Proper operation of the air conditioner in winter

Careful and in accordance with the instructions, the use of a split system, wall-mounted air conditioner or mobile climate control device is the key to its efficient and long-term operation. Some companies categorically prohibit the use of air conditioning in the winter season, urging owners to preserve the device. This process consists of several steps:

• freon condensation in the outdoor unit;
• start the device in cooling mode;
• the use of a manometric manifold equipped with a service port;
• turning off the liquid supply of the main unit;
• turning off the gas supply until the atmospheric pressure is equal to the air capture pressure;
• turning off the manifold.
• total power failure of the system!

If preservation is impossible for any reason, then it is especially important not to violate the rules for operating the air conditioner in winter. Expensive models are equipped with self-diagnosis and protection systems that turn off the system automatically

At the same time, economy-class brands fail quite quickly under improper operating conditions. They continue to function until some node or structure fails.

The most common causes of air conditioner failures are:

• poor-quality installation of equipment;
• non-compliance of the installed equipment with the goals of the customer;
• violation of the rules of operation;
• lack of proper service.

How to ensure the correct operation of the air conditioner of any kind in the winter?

The best way is to complete the air conditioning kit with a starter, that is, a device for safely starting the engine, which is effective at very low outside temperatures. In this way it is possible to prevent those overloads at the start, which occur in case of icing of the drainage pipeline.

And, of course, to ensure the correct operation of the air conditioner in the autumn and winter months, you should call a specialist from a professional service. He will check the tightness of the system, clean the filters and give practical advice on preventing possible breakdowns.

Checking the performance of the air conditioner in winter

Any air conditioning device is equipped with a similar set of components:

• capacitor;
• compressor;
• fan;
• evaporator;
• valve.

All components are connected by means of narrow-section copper tubes, through which freon circulates, changing its gaseous state of aggregation into liquid, and vice versa.

In order to check the performance of the air conditioner in winter, it is necessary with the help of professional specialists to carry out a set of preventive measures:

1. Visual control and diagnostics of equipment.
2. Check for compliance with the rules of operation of this model.
3. Cleaning the filter elements of the indoor unit.
4. Cleaning the inlet and outlet louvers of the indoor unit.
5. Checking the temperature of dry air at the inlet of the indoor unit.
6. Monitoring the condition of electrical contacts and cables.
7. Tightness control of the piping system
8. Control of the functioning of the drainage.
9. Control of mechanical damage to the structure.
10. Cleaning the evaporator of the indoor unit.

You can also do a self check. To do this, take the following steps:

• Visual inspection of the blocks for the absence of mechanical damage to the body, hydraulic and electrical parts of the equipment;
• Test the operation of the device in the “heating”/cooling” mode;
• Checking the operation of the output blinds with a mechanical drive;
• Using a vacuum cleaner, clean the fan, which is located in the outdoor unit of the device;
• Temperature control of dry air at the inlet and outlet of the evaporator;
• Checking the average pressure in the outdoor unit;
• Checking the tightness of the connection between the indoor and outdoor units;
• Checking the tightness of the drainage system of the air conditioner;
• Checking the air filters of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

After carrying out all the procedures, you should start the device in the "ventilation" mode for half an hour. Then start the device in cooling mode.

The air conditioner can work flawlessly for quite a long time. Often, the deterioration of parameters occurs quite imperceptibly for the owner. Only due to timely inspection and prevention, it is possible to avoid malfunctions and breakdowns of expensive parts of the air conditioning device.

Heating in winter

In specialized trading establishments, a wide selection of split systems with completely different characteristics is presented. Sometimes it is difficult to choose a specific model without understanding what its distinguishing features are.

Most often, air conditioners are purchased to provide comfortable conditions in the house during the hottest period.

Potential consumers at the time of choice in such cases pay attention only to the minimum temperature indicator, forgetting that in late autumn or winter sometimes you also have to feel not very comfortable due to a decrease in temperature in the house. It is useful to study the rules for operating the air conditioner in the winter, in which you can find the answer to the question: is it possible to use equipment at low temperatures.

It is useful to study the rules for operating the air conditioner in the winter, in which you can find the answer to the question: is it possible to use equipment at low temperatures.

There are options for split systems, which the manufacturer allows to operate only when the outside air temperature has not dropped below zero. They are focused on warm regions, whose inhabitants never have to deal with severe frosts.

When purchasing a split system with heating and cooling modes, the answer to the question, is it possible to include air conditioning in winter at sub-zero temperatures in the apartment will be positive, but it is important to take into account several factors. It is also useful to understand the principle of operation of the device during operation in heating mode:

• first, freon in liquid form enters the block located on the outside;
• under the influence of low temperatures on the street, freon evaporates, taking away part of the heat;
• with the help of a compressor, the refrigerant, already in a gaseous state, is pumped into the indoor unit;
• after that, it goes to the evaporator, in which the freon condenses, giving off heat.

During the operation of the split system, its heat exchanger, located in the outdoor unit, is excessively cooled, provoking freezing of the moisture contained in the air.

However, this is not the only problem that is useful for modern citizens to be aware of. When using the air conditioner in the winter in the apartment, there are still other features and nuances. In particular, any technique needs lubricants that can significantly reduce the friction force of the contacting parts and prevent a quick failure of the device.

The manufacturer pours oil into the air conditioning compressor. However, under the influence of low temperatures, it can change its quality characteristics, becoming thick. Unfortunately, when starting the compressor, such a thick oil will not be able to ensure the correct operation of the device, but, on the contrary, will cause it to break.

To eliminate any doubts about the question of whether it is necessary to turn on the air conditioner in winter, it is recommended to listen to the recommendations of experts.

Starting the air conditioner in heating mode will be performed correctly if all actions are performed in the following sequence:

Carefully study the instructions, especially paying attention to the paragraph, which indicates the maximum permissible temperature regime, beyond which it is not allowed.
Before turning on the air conditioner, make sure that the temperature outside does not go beyond the recommended one.
Press the heating button (it is easy to find, since it is accompanied by an icon in the form of a sun).
Using the increase and decrease keys, select the temperature to which you want to heat the interior of the apartment (experts recommend choosing the temperature, taking into account the power indicators of the unit, so as not to provoke its operation in enhanced mode).
Do not panic because after starting the unit will not produce heat for several minutes. For heating, it takes some time (sometimes even more than 10 minutes), during which the device is prepared for operation.

Requirements that must be met during the operation of air conditioners in winter:

1. Compliance with the operating temperature range specified by the manufacturer.

Initially, air conditioners were designed to cool and purify indoor air at positive outside air temperatures. Any climate control equipment can function successfully only within a strictly designated range of outdoor temperatures.Violation of this restriction leads to the fact that the equipment fails, and the service life of the air conditioner is reduced, which negatively affects the image and reputation of the manufacturer. In addition, all operating functions of the air conditioner and technical parameters guaranteed by the producing company are active only within the extreme values ​​of the temperature range.

A significant part of the models currently sold work stably and efficiently in the range from -5 degrees C to + 25 C. If you take the MDV split system, then this device can provide space heating if it is not colder than -8 degrees Celsius outside. Mini format MDV VRF systems support this feature down to -15 degrees below zero. Many modern models can function stably even up to -10 C ... - 20 C due to the installation of drainage heating systems, oil in the compressor.

At lower temperatures in winter, technical problems arise: the condensate freezes outside, when the compressor air conditioner is started, the oil boils, and the condensation pressure decreases. The outdoor unit of the device and the drain tube are covered with an ice shell. Thus, heat exchange processes are disturbed, the efficiency of heating the room is reduced.

If you still need to urgently heat the room, then specialized devices, such as an infrared heater or a heat gun, will cope with this much more efficiently.

2. Use of specially adapted equipment.

It often happens that constant uninterrupted cooling of the room is required even at minus air temperatures outside.This is true for enterprises such as stations of mobile operators, robotic complexes and telecommunications companies. In this case, the best solution would be to install specially adapted equipment on the air conditioner or split system. Servicing of such complex systems should be carried out at least four times a year.

It includes:

• drainage heater, which is designed to drain condensed liquid from the air conditioner, preventing it from freezing;
• compressor crankcase heater, which maintains the set oil temperature, thereby eliminating the possibility of water hammer due to boiling of the refrigerant;
• a fan speed retarder that prevents the indoor unit from freezing by controlling the desired condensing temperature.

The winter upgrade kit ensures the functioning of the split system in cooling mode down to -15C, and in calm weather even down to -20 degrees. If necessary, the range can be expanded, but this solution is quite expensive and in most cases unjustified economically.

Heating with air conditioning in severe frost

This is not an advertising article, but I can say that Panasonic is not in vain considered a cool air conditioner. When it was -15 outside, he perfectly heated the house

Of course, the electricity consumption was high, but this is not so important, because comfort and health are more expensive.

Separately, it should be said that the lower the temperature overboard, the more the air conditioner consumes electricity. On the other hand, the better the house warms up, the less often it turns on (if there is a built-in temperature sensor).

Unfortunately, I can’t give exact data in kilowatt-hours, but I didn’t have to pay so much. In the coldest month, electricity ran up to $150. But it should be borne in mind that I lived mainly on the first floor, and only spent the night on the second. It has almost never happened that all three indoor units were working at the same time.

For comparison, I will give an example. A friend has a house of 100 square meters, lives a couple of kilometers from me. She stoked all winter with convectors and the bills were twice as much! It turns out that the initial investment is more, but heating the air conditioner in the winter in the long run will allow them to recapture.

An inverter air conditioner, although more expensive than a conventional one, has undeniable advantages.

Problems and Solutions

Possible problems that may arise when operating the air conditioner at sub-zero temperatures:

• Freezing water in the drain pipe;
• Icing of the outdoor unit;
• Too low temperature;
• Increasing the viscosity of the oil in the sump;
• Freezing of fan bearings.

If your air conditioner started spitting water in winter, or condensation began to drip from it, the problem is in the drainage. An ice tube may form in the drain tube and moisture will not drain out. Solving the problem is easy - warm up the outer part of the drain tube.

If the efficiency of the split system has fallen, or it has completely stopped cooling, you need to follow these steps:

Just look at the thermometer. If the temperature outside is below the minimum specified in the instructions, there is nothing to do. You will have to wait for warming or install a winter kit (it will be discussed below).

Check if the outdoor unit is covered with ice. In particular, the radiator (condenser). It is located on the back side of the outdoor unit. If it is icy, rinse it with warm water and dry it, or better, dry it with a building hair dryer.
Iced outdoor unit. He will not be able to give the air conditioner at full capacity, and may lead to its breakdown.

Sometimes the grease in the radiator bearing freezes or it becomes covered with ice. If the fan is not spinning, try spinning it by hand. If this does not help, warm up the bearing with a hair dryer.

Sometimes the oil in the compressor sump becomes too viscous. This can happen for three reasons:

1. The temperature is too low outside;
2. Incorrect oil was poured into the compressor during maintenance or repair;
3. The air conditioner was off for a long time.

In this case, you will need to remove the outdoor unit casing and warm up the bottom of the compressor. To do this, use a building hair dryer.

Preparing for winter

Even if the air conditioner is not in operation in the winter, you need to take care of its safety and carry out a series of manipulations that you can do yourself or seek help from specialists.

1. First you need to run the device in ventilation mode to remove excess moisture.
2. Then clean the filters. To do this, you need to open the top cover, under it you will see a filter that you need to pull out, holding it by the bottom. After that, rinse the dirty filter under running water and dry it dry. Then wipe the blinds with a damp cellulose washcloth and install the filters in their original place.
3. After cleaning, it is necessary to transfer the refrigerant to the outdoor unit, a specialist will help you with this.
4. And also many companies recommend installing a special protective visor that will prevent mechanical damage during heavy snowfalls and thaws.

The protective visor will protect the device from snow

Features of operation in the winter

In winter, the air conditioner defrosts with a certain frequency. This usually happens once every 40-60 minutes.

During prolonged operation with negative temperatures, its radiator freezes over, the efficiency drops and the system begins to deal with it on its own.

Many mistakenly believe that the external unit in this case is heated by some built-in heaters. This is not true.

It just changes the direction of its work. That is, hot freon from the indoor unit begins to flow into the outdoor unit. And it thaws within a few minutes.

The duration and frequency of defrost cycles depends on the degree of icing and is controlled by sensors. Although in inexpensive options this happens simply according to the programmed time.

Main problems

If you accidentally or deliberately turn on a conventional air conditioner in severe frost, this can lead to big problems. The complexity of breakdowns depends on the mode of use, on what temperature it was outside at the time of switching on. If you turn on the device for heating the apartment when it is -5 ° C outside, then the outdoor unit will begin to become covered with ice, since it will emit condensate. Heat transfer will deteriorate, heat output will decrease. Refrigerant can get into the compressor and break the device.

Compressor performance will drop, leading to serious damage.
2 id="osnovnaya-funktsiya">Main function

The main initial function of household climate control equipment is to cool the interior 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 evaporating, it is able to cool the air. The indoor unit of the climate device has a heat exchanger through which freon, evaporating, gives off cold. A nearby fan supplies room air to the evaporator, drives through it, giving out a cooled stream.

Further, the heated freon moves to the external unit, inside which it is converted, gets rid of the accumulated heat and, ready to cool, returns to the evaporator again. Thus, the main cooling function of the air conditioner is realized.

Cooling in winter

Some rooms need heat removal even during the cold season, such as MRI rooms, so it's worth looking into whether the air conditioner can be used in winter for cooling.

Almost all devices in the factory configuration are not able to function in this mode. The minimum temperature is usually +5…+10°C. To provide cooling, you will need special precision equipment, but it is usually very expensive.

Basically, devices are finalized on their own, using non-inverter blocks for this. But in this case, problems with freon may arise, since the sub-zero temperature lowers the pressure, respectively, its condensation is much more difficult.

See also: mobile floor air conditioner for home and apartment.

To solve the problem, you can install an additional winter kit in the outdoor unit that regulates the pressure during condensation. This action occurs by decreasing and increasing the speed at which the fan will operate. Although there are modern units on which the required set is already installed. The winter set consists of:

1. Drain heater. Works on cooling in the internal block where there is a condensation of moisture. Water entering the street can freeze.
2. crankcase heater. This device contains oil, it is the heater that prevents it from thickening.
3. Fan speed controller. It can have two options for functioning: in the first, work occurs due to pressure indicators in the system, in the second, temperature sensors that are installed on the condenser can be used.

Winter set consists of 3 elements

Of the entire list provided, only the crankcase heater is used for the heating function, while such equipment is not installed on inverter models.

Is it possible to turn on the air conditioner in winter and at what temperature

Operating conditions depend on the specific model of the split system. Devices of the lower and middle price segment are designed for a maximum temperature of minus 5 degrees in the cold season. You can take a chance and turn on the equipment at lower temperatures, but compressor failure is a serious thing, and repairs are expensive. You need to find out what operating temperature range for this model of air conditioner is when buying. In cheap systems, it is small.

Models of the Mitsubishi Electric brand are able to maintain the operating mode at temperatures up to minus 20 degrees outside the window. In the presence of a winter kit - up to minus 30.

Another Japanese brand, Daikin, has also solved the all-weather problem for its split systems. Air conditioners in winter work for heating at a temperature of minus 15 degrees.

Before turning on the equipment for heating, you need to re-read the instructions and find out to what lower temperature threshold the device can be used so as not to disable it. There are two reasons why the air conditioner may break down:

1. Freezing of the drainage system. The condensate flowing out into the street during operation freezes in frost, the liquid cannot come out.
2. Freezing oil. Each brand has its own limit of lower temperatures at which it thickens and can no longer perform its functions.

As a result of violation of the rules for using the device in winter, various breakdowns occur. If protective functions are provided, the equipment will simply turn off, which will save it from costly repairs.

Heating is available only in spring and autumn, when the use of gas boilers is not rational, because they consume a lot of fuel. Warming up the room a little is all that can be achieved from a conventional air conditioner. However, consumers want to cool and heat the room with the same appliance.

In winter, the efficiency of the split system decreases if you turn on the air conditioner at sub-zero temperatures. Cooling work during the cold season is needed only in specific rooms where equipment is located that has high heat transfer and needs constant cooling. For these purposes, a winter set has been created: to cool, not heat the room.It includes the following components:

• A device that reduces the speed of the impeller. Thanks to him, the efficiency is normalized.
• Compressor crankcase heating device. As soon as the compressor stops, the crankcase heater starts. Freon does not flow into it, the oil remains liquid, the refrigerant does not boil.
• Drainage heater. Pipes and bathtubs do not freeze, condensate freely flows out. There are heaters mounted outside and inside the line.

An air conditioner equipped with such a kit can be turned on in winter without fear.

Air conditioner operation: heating

Now let's see what happens if you turn on the air conditioner for heating. The coils change their purpose. Located on the street will take away heat, indoor will be hot. Lower temperature outside the window, less sense is produced by the operation of the system

Please note: to organize the operation of the air conditioner for heating, the compressor now pumps freon towards the room

It would seem that it is easier to do it by making the blades work in reverse mode, it is practically not easy to implement, in reality a special valve with four strokes is used. By switching the state of the part, the direction of freon movement is changed. The compressor does not notice anything, it works, driving away the cruising mode.

What happens inside the air conditioner that controls the heating. The compressor and evaporator are placed in an external block, the condenser - in an internal one. Heating mode is in progress. It turns out that the compressor crankcase, filled with oil, is exposed to the street. The temperature drops sharply, the lubricant thickens, and increased equipment wear begins. Most air conditioners should not be turned on for heating at temperatures below 0 ºС (see instructions for more details).

The second factor, due to which the operation of the air conditioner for heating in winter becomes difficult, is the performance of the system. The device is unable to generate heat, it simply pumps it from the street, gives it to the room. At shock low temperatures, the air conditioner, like a heater, becomes useless. They get out of the situation using a special brand of freon (according to unverified information, R410A). According to the documentation, air conditioners heat at minus 25 ºС outside the window. But! With one condition - the installation kit is equipped with a winter road. The term implies a set of properties that includes three components:

1. An electronic board that reduces the speed of the compressor.
2. Crankcase heater with oil.
3. Heating cable of the drainage path.

Only in the presence of the mentioned set, the air conditioner is started at negative temperatures

Please note: the standard installation is devoid of exotic elements. The winter road option costs extra money

In cruise mode, despite the instructions, it is better to avoid touching the device at temperatures below zero.

Motorists asked the question three times why not pour winter oil into the crankcase when the temperature drops. A branch of copper pipes is sealed until the possibility is provided. This will greatly complicate the maintenance of the air conditioner. Now we will discuss monoblocks, we promised!

Exploitation

The main thing is to clean the split system before the cold season

Particular attention should be paid to the outdoor unit - because it is affected by frost and cold. If you wish, you can do it yourself

Read more in the article "How to clean the air conditioner yourself."

There is no big difference between the operation of the air conditioner in winter and summer. You just need to turn it on and monitor the condition of the outdoor unit.It freezes over time, which degrades the performance of the air conditioner.

Many models have a defrost mode. If it does not turn on automatically for you, you will have to do it manually. when there is no such mode, it will be necessary to chip off the ice and spill the outdoor unit with warm water.

It would be useful to install a visor over the outdoor unit. In the spring, water will fall from the icicles onto the block, where it will freeze. This will cause it to freeze.

Important!
If the temperature "overboard" is too low, you can not turn off the air conditioner. Otherwise, the oil in the compressor sump will become too viscous and you will not be able to start it.