How to start the air conditioner in winter for heating

Split system heating efficiency

During the operation of the air conditioner, heat is pumped from one medium to another. When working for cooling, it leaves the room into the external environment, while heating - vice versa. To do this, use the capabilities of the refrigeration cycle of the compressor. Interestingly, the efficiency of the air conditioner significantly depends on the outside temperature. To assess the economic efficiency of the thermal performance of domestic and semi-industrial systems, the COP coefficient (Coefficient of Performance) is used.

COP is calculated as the ratio of the heating capacity of the air conditioner to the power of the consumed electrical energy. The higher this figure, the better. For example, a coefficient of 3.6 means that 1000 W of electrical power is used for 3600 W of generated thermal power. In modern systems, this figure can reach a value of 5.8 and higher.

Device types

You can turn on the air conditioner in winter or not, it directly depends on its type. There are two subspecies.

1. Mobile. They have the appearance of a monoblock and are completely in the apartment. Such devices can be used without reference to weather conditions. This is explained by the fact that their performance does not depend on the temperature outside the house.
2. Split systems. In most cases, there are such installations, the operation of which is directly dependent on the temperature regime outside the window. During operation, heat exchange with the environment occurs, for this their outdoor unit is placed on the street.

Arguing on the topic of whether it is possible to turn on the air conditioner at sub-zero temperatures, you need to clarify a few points.

Technical side

First you need to understand whether such a system can work at low temperatures.

An important component of any air conditioner is the compressor, which is located in the outdoor unit. The compressor needs a special lubricant, the viscosity of which is directly dependent on the external temperature.

During operation at temperatures below -5 degrees Celsius, the lubricant thickens, which leads to rapid wear and overheating of parts deprived of lubrication.


Appropriateness of use

During the operation of the air conditioner in winter for the purpose of heating, the radiator performs the functions of an evaporator.The refrigerant, getting into it, should heat up, but due to negative temperatures, it freezes. Productivity decreases, and with the onset of severe cold weather is canceled.

Using such devices in the cold seasons, it is worth understanding at what temperature the air conditioner can be turned on.

Consequences of incorrect operation

It is important to understand why you can not turn on the air conditioner in winter. The drop in efficiency of this device will not be the only problem.

For the compressor to work properly, the refrigerant must evaporate and then enter the suction pipes in a gaseous state.

1. If you use the air conditioner in heating mode in extreme cold, the refrigerant enters the evaporator, but due to the low temperature, it will not be able to heat up and become a gas. In liquid form, it enters the compressor, where a water hammer occurs, as a result of which the supercharger ceases to function, and then the apparatus itself.
2. Be aware of the danger of excessive thickening of the grease.
3. And also about the fact that the outdoor unit may become covered with an ice crust during use.

It is worth noting that using the air conditioner in cooling mode can lead to various kinds of problems:

• the risk of compressor failure increases when it is turned on again;
• decrease in productivity;
• freezing of the outdoor unit and drain pipe.

Having considered the possible negative consequences of such use, one can categorically answer whether it is possible to turn on the air conditioner in winter. It would be much more expedient to purchase a heater, the price of which is much lower than the funds needed to repair the compressor.

Freezing of the air conditioner is one of the consequences of improper operation.

Heat pump or air conditioner?

And you knew. That an air-to-air heat pump does not differ in principle from an air conditioner? Their main difference is in features and price.

Modern air source heat pumps can operate at temperatures below -35. For the air conditioner, the minimum temperature (some models) is -28. By the principle of installation, they do not differ, the difference is only in price and maintenance costs.

If you decide to heat your house with air conditioning, and temperatures in your area can drop below -20, consider buying a heat pump

It has another important advantage - the COP of the heat pump is much higher. Than the air conditioner

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.

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.

Air conditioners suitable for heating

Is it possible to use the air conditioner in the winter in the apartment, without causing harm to it? You can, but you should strictly follow the rules prescribed by the manufacturer.

First you need to purchase a split system that will allow you to both cool and heat the room.
You need to pay attention to the indicator that informs at what sub-zero temperature you can turn on the air conditioner. For most models, the negative temperature limit is only -5 degrees Celsius. But there are models on the market equipped with an inverter that allows you to operate the air conditioner as a heater down to -15 degrees Celsius.

But there are models on the market equipped with an inverter that allows you to operate the air conditioner as a heater down to -15 degrees Celsius.

If the permissible temperature does not suit you, the air conditioner can be equipped with a kit designed for use in the winter season. This set consists of:

• drainage tube heating systems, which prevents it from freezing;
• compressor heating - this procedure will prevent the lubricant from thickening and damaging internal parts;
• board that will allow you to adjust the fan speed, this will reduce the risk of overcooling the refrigerant.

Differences in the design of frost-resistant air conditioners

Why can one air conditioner be turned on at -30-degree frost, while it is undesirable to start others already at -50C? The answer is simple: features of the structure and configuration. The cost of a split system is not always directly proportional to its capabilities, and therefore it is useful to know what effective design solutions exist.

To understand whether it is possible to turn on a particular air conditioner for heating in winter, or is it dangerous for the device, pay attention to such details. First, a low temperature kit must be installed from the factory to prevent the compressor from cold starting and condensate freezing.

First, a low temperature kit must be installed from the factory to prevent the compressor from cold starting and freezing condensate.

As we have already mentioned, inverter models are preferable in winter, since their compressor does not stop when the set temperature in the room is reached, but only slows down. This means that it will not cool down and start up with an overload every time, and besides, it is more profitable in terms of energy consumption.

The heat exchanger of the outdoor unit can be enlarged so that the freon inside has time to completely evaporate and absorb maximum heat from the air before entering the compressor.

The large area of ​​the heat exchanger allows the split system to work efficiently even with a small difference between the boiling temperatures of the refrigerant and the air outside

There are also double-circuit heat exchangers in which the performance is regulated by connecting an additional freon circulation circuit. The outdoor unit and heat exchanger may include additional casings and heat storage to use the energy that the operating equipment emits.

The high power compressor compresses the gas more, heating it to higher temperatures. In industrial models, there are also scroll compressors that are not afraid of getting liquid freon.

The refrigerant itself can have different properties. Cheap and common R-22 evaporates at -400C, while it is able to absorb heat 233 kJ / kg. For comparison, the newest R-32 evaporates at -51.70C, and is capable of retaining heat up to 390 kJ / kg.

This means that under the same conditions, the second one will heat up faster and more efficiently in the heat exchanger, and the air conditioner or split system will work with less energy and higher efficiency.

The type of oil lubricating the compressor also depends on the type of refrigerant. R-22 works with mineral oil, which maintains an acceptable viscosity up to -50C, and R410A and R32 work with synthetic oils, stable up to -70C. It would seem that the difference is small, but in combination with other factors it is significant.

Mitsubishi Zubadan is the most famous series of heat pumps operating in winter at temperatures down to -250C. They cost 3-5 times more than split-systems that can heat only with slight frosts.

The more of these upgrades there are in the air conditioner, the lower the temperature it is able to work. However, for many inverter models, you may not even know the maximum allowable temperature: the electronic control simply will not start the system if it is too cold outside.

Getting your air conditioner ready for winter

As part of the preparation of the device for the winter season, a number of preventive measures must be taken.

It is necessary to dry the indoor unit from accumulated condensate. To do this, the air conditioner must first be turned on for a while for cooling, and then for the same period to be started for heating. Clean the built-in filters from accumulated sawdust and dirt. If conditions allow, install a protective visor on the outdoor unit.

If there is a standard household air conditioner in the room, then it is better to limit it to turning it on in heating mode only during the off-season - until the temperature drops below the limit values ​​\u200b\u200bset by the manufacturer.

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.

Using the air conditioner for cooling in winter

Sometimes there is a need even in frosts to use a split system for cooling. This is necessary if there are any powerful heat sources in the room and the temperature in it is increased even in the cold season. Most often, this can be server rooms, stations of telecom operators, hot shops of restaurants and diagnostic laboratories.

In this case, keep in mind that most fixed capacity air conditioners are not designed for cooling at outdoor temperatures below +15 °C, and some inverter systems are not designed for cooling below -15 °C. To use the air conditioner when the air parameters go beyond the set limits, a special modification is required: the use of a winter kit. It includes:

• crankcase heater;
• drainage heater;
• fan speed and condensing temperature controller.

Please note that this modification is only necessary when using the air conditioner in cooling mode at low outside temperatures.

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="obogrev-v-zimniy-period">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 of whether it is possible to turn on the air conditioner 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.

How to use the air conditioner in winter

To determine at what temperature you can not turn on the air conditioner in winter, you must carefully read the instructions for a particular model. The manufacturer clearly indicates everything there, it is highly not recommended to go beyond the established temperature parameters. The same applies to the heating mode. There is a technique that is capable of heating the air, and there is one that works exclusively for cooling.

Temperature distribution during air conditioner operation in different modes

In winter, it is quite possible to use the air conditioner in all permitted operating modes, as well as the same ventilation in the garage. However, it should be ensured that the drainage does not freeze, and the external unit is fixed on the wall, taking into account the formation of an additional ice crust on it.

Heating work in winter

In addition to the above, the use of an air conditioner in winter for heating is associated with another nuance. When thermal energy is taken from cold outdoor air, it cools even more.As a result, the block on the street is covered with an additional layer of ice and snow, which are formed during this process.

The principle of operation of the air conditioner for heating

If the manufacturer allows you to run the air conditioner in winter for heating, then it is quite possible to turn it on. However, you need to make sure that the equipment on the street is securely fastened, and the fasteners used for this are able to withstand the weight of the ice formed on the body. This is not ventilation in a natural draft bath, where there is no outer part. Everything is much more complicated here.

Air conditioner air direction under different modes

The operation of an air conditioner (a typical split system) is designed in such a way that when it is on, it constantly pumps freon between the outdoor unit on the street and the indoor unit in the room.

Heat distribution during air conditioning heating

Features and principle of operation of a split system for heat

Any split system is not a heating device, it does not have a heating element, so the climate control system will not be enough to maintain a comfortable temperature. This is due to the peculiarities of the principles of its functioning. The air conditioner operates in heating mode only at certain values ​​of the thermometer outside.

Most splits can produce warm air. In general terms, this process can be called the reversal of freon, in which the compressor is responsible for pumping it towards the room: heat is taken from the outside and conducted inside. Changing the refrigerant flow requires a four-way valve that reverses the evaporator and condenser positions. In the indoor unit, freon condenses with the release of heat, and in the external unit, evaporation occurs, during which the air conditioner absorbs heat.Heat is pumped from one place to another, but not generated. Because of this, in the heating mode, the efficiency of the air conditioner is greatly reduced, which makes its operation ineffective at street temperatures closer to zero.

Outside temperature limits

The main part of air conditioners with heating function have certain limitations: manufacturers produce climate equipment with a programmed ability to work on heat at a minimum outside temperature of up to -5°C. In practice, it has been proven: with minus indicators, the split system should not be launched. It can be concluded that it is impossible to use the air conditioner for heating in winter. At best, it will be possible to bask in this way until November.

Failure to follow the recommendations given in the instructions and during installation leads to wear and tear in the constant start-stop mode. Modern two-component devices have a special program in which a signal is given from the temperature sensor to the board about unacceptable temperature values ​​\u200b\u200bof the heat exchanger, and the device is blocked from turning on. In extreme cases, only the fan will work, or one of the error codes will be displayed - each brand has its own codes.

How to turn on and set the air conditioner to warm air

If the outdoor temperature is observed, turn on the air conditioner using the ON button on the remote control or on the external panel.

Find the HEAT button, or MODE and then the icon with the image of the sun, drops, snow or fan. If there is nothing like this, then this model of air conditioner is not intended for heating the room.

After switching the system to the thermal mode, use the “+” and “-” buttons to set the desired temperature.It should be higher than the room temperature.

After setting the desired temperature indicator, the fan will turn on, and then warm air will begin to flow. The set climate will be established within 10 minutes.

There are models in which you first need to set the mode and temperature, and then press the ON button. Detailed instructions are attached to the device upon purchase.

Problems and risks of operation

If you turn on the air conditioner for heating when the outside temperature is below the permissible one, the following problems may occur:

• the efficiency of the system will be significantly reduced;
• the condenser of the external unit will freeze;
• the fan of the outdoor unit breaks;
• the oil will thicken, causing the compressor to break down during system startup.