Unless prevented by a landlord's veto, you don't have to settle for a simple monoblock unit with an annoying exhaust hose when it comes to air conditioning. You can go straight for a split air conditioning system, which works much more efficiently and ecologically, and can air-condition more than just one room.
Customers in Austria can look forward to a large selection of possible air conditioning systems. To ensure that the choice doesn't become a burden, we present the most important criteria for buying a split air conditioning system:
How many rooms should be air-conditioned?
First of all, before buying, the question arises as to how many rooms should be air-conditioned at all: If only one room is to be cooled, a mono-split air conditioning system is the right choice. If several rooms are to be air-conditioned and/or humidified, you should opt for a multi-split air conditioning system. Here, the number of indoor units of the air conditioning systems provides the answer to the question of which device is the right one for how many rooms.
Calculation of room performance
The performance of the air conditioning system can be specified in watts or BTU (British Thermal Unit). 1,000 BTU correspond to 293.071 watts. We use the unit watt to calculate the room performance and multiply the room size in m² that is to be air-conditioned by 60 to 100. In this way, we obtain the number of watts that the air conditioning system requires for our requirements.
The factor of 60 to 100 is based on the heat load in the house. If the heat load is low, we multiply by 60; if it is medium, by 80; and if it is high, by 100. A high heat load exists primarily due to factors such as high solar radiation through windows on the south side, poor thermal insulation, many technical devices, and many people in the room. The heat load can be estimated based on these factors. If you want to be on the safe side, you can consult a specialist.
Desired range of functions
Split air conditioning systems are more complex than monoblock air conditioners and tend to offer a greater variety of functions. Some air conditioning systems do not just work in one direction by cooling and humidifying, but they are also capable of heating and dehumidifying rooms.
Air conditioning systems like the Mitsubishi wall units also offer an air filter that, depending on efficiency, deals with fine dust, smoke, pollen, bacteria, germs, and – at least partially – viruses. Those who have a penchant for fresh drafts choose an air conditioning system with a ventilation function, and those who are fans of aromas will be happy with an air conditioning system with an aromatization function. You can now indulge yourself with fragrances of your choice.
Control issues
Only very few split air conditioning systems can be operated solely on the device itself today. A remote control should be considered a minimum requirement. Other devices offer a connection to a smartphone. Anyone intending to network with the Internet of Things (IoT) should pay attention to the air conditioning system's compatibility with the Smart Home. Finally, the option of voice control is becoming increasingly popular.
Energy efficiency has many faces
The first impression of energy efficiency is provided by the energy efficiency class, which returned to its roots in its scaling with the 2021 reform. The values A+++, A++, and A+ were deleted – the scale now ranges from A to G again. Other key figures for the air conditioning system are SEER and SCOP, with the increasing height of the values in product comparison speaking for the energy efficiency of the air conditioning system.
Some devices offer a particularly ecological level with the ECO mode. Finally, inverter air conditioning systems are capable of precisely adjusting their output to demand, which counteracts waste.
Noise level: no louder than the rustling of leaves
Although split air conditioning systems are quieter than monoblock systems, unlike them, they also carry the volume outside. For this reason, the installation should take place on the side facing the street if possible. The volume of the air conditioning system is specified in decibels. So that no neighbors complain, the approximately 25-decibel quiet rustling of leaves offers a guideline that should ideally not be exceeded.
