In recent years, many have installed air conditioners in their homes and offices. The presence of an air conditioner has become an indicator of the quality of life. It is not our goal to discount air conditioners. These are useful devices that perfectly cope with the main task assigned to them - indoor air cooling. In the summer, the benefits of an air conditioner can hardly be overestimated; it really makes life easier for many people.

In this article, we will touch on another aspect. The reaction of some of our clients and friends to the story about the compact supply ventilation - ventilators - was the question “ Why do I need a ventilator if an air conditioner is already installed?". Let's take a look at the most common misconceptions about air conditioners and ventilators.

Like most devices that combine several functions, supply air conditioners are rather weak in the "additional" functionality, which for them is the supply of fresh air. Observe: when they write about air conditioners, as a rule, they always describe in detail about filters, innovations and other "gadgets".

Myth number 1. The air conditioner supplies fresh air to the room

The hole diameter when installing the air duct for an air conditioner with an inflow function is 4 cm, which gives a cross-sectional area of ​​about 13 cm2. The diameter of the hole when installing the air duct for the ventilator is on average from 10 to 16 cm, which gives a cross-sectional area of ​​80-200 cm2. Thus, the cross-sectional area of ​​the ventilator duct is 6-15 times larger. It follows that:

with the same fan performance and other conditions being equal, the ventilator will supply the room with 6-15 times more fresh air.

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At the same time, the capacity of the ventilator is designed to provide a sufficient amount of oxygen for up to 4-7 people (the norm for providing one person with fresh air in a room is 30 m3 per hour). The volume of air supplied by the supply air conditioner is not enough for even one person to breathe comfortably.

Myth number 2. The air conditioner cleans the air

Actually. The air conditioner undoubtedly cleans the air, but typical models are equipped only with coarse air filters, which, if you look at it, are most often metal mesh that retains coarse and medium dust indoor origin. Such a filter cannot prevent the neutralization of microorganisms, pollen, small dust particles, bacteria and allergens that have entered the room.

Models of air conditioners of "premium" class are equipped with filters for fine air purification and the function of deactivation of microorganisms and bacteria. But even inexpensive, costing up to 30,000 rubles, ventilator models are equipped with fine air filters, preventing small particles of dust, allergens, odors, impurities, the smallest contaminants (dust mite, mold, fungus, bacteria and viruses, etc.) from entering the room... After all, the problem is easier (and usually cheaper) to prevent than to eliminate its consequences.

In addition, due to moisture condensation, pathogenic microorganisms, carcinogens and spores of pathogenic fungi that infect residents are accumulated on the filters and in the drainage system of the indoor unit of the air conditioner due to moisture condensation. Since contact with water is excluded in the ventilator, its filters do not pose such a hazard.

Of course, as in the case of an air conditioner, the condition for observing the timely (recommended by the manufacturer) cleaning and replacing filters is the main guarantee of healthy air and trouble-free operation of the equipment - any equipment must be monitored. The only difference is that the ventilator is a household appliance and it is quite easy to maintain it yourself, while cleaning the air conditioner, as a rule, requires the departure of a qualified service worker and specialized equipment (especially cleaning and diagnostics of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, which is strongly not it is recommended and even prohibited to perform without appropriate qualifications).

Myth number 3. Air conditioners and ventilators are installed the same

Actually. The household air conditioner has both an outdoor and an indoor unit (or several units). Installing an air conditioner on the outer wall of a building is not always possible: this is interpreted as a redevelopment, for which approval is required - that is, bureaucratic red tape with an unpredictable result.

Many residents install air conditioners without permission, without going through the procedure for agreeing on redevelopment. However, this is fraught with problems: such tenants can be sued by both neighbors and the management company or city authorities. With a high probability, the claim will be satisfied - there are already such precedents - and the air conditioner will have to be dismantled.

As for the ventilator, its installation inside the building does not affect the appearance of the building, it is not considered a redevelopment, and therefore is not subject to approval. From the outside of the building, the opening is closed with a grating. In Moscow, there are no special regulations governing this aspect, so the installation of a grill without approval is legal.

Since the ventilator does not have an outdoor unit, to install it no special climbing equipment is required, which reduces the cost of installation... Installation is carried out from the inside of the room: first, a hole is cut through the equipment for diamond drilling, then a grating is installed on the outside (if the client wishes, with a rain cover), and on the inside, the device itself. Diamond drilling is so accurate that the effect of a “torn-up wall” is impossible, due to which the ventilator can also be installed in a finished room. As for the air conditioner, many installers use a perforator to install it, which, if not used very skillfully or in the case of a problem wall (hitting the reinforcement), can greatly "rasprochit" it. Our specialists use exclusively diamond equipment during the installation of air conditioners.

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Installation of the ventilator does not provide for the laying of extended air ducts - in 90% of cases, the length of the air duct is equal to the thickness of the wall (the exception is the case of laying the air duct through a balcony or loggia). The air coming from the ventilator is distributed throughout the room without the help of pipes.

Myth number 4. The air conditioner heats up the air

Actually. This is partly true - the air conditioner, made in the form of a split system, can heat the air... However, there are a number of restrictions, the main of which is the impossibility of heating in winter. You can turn on the split system for heating only at a positive outside temperature (more expensive models - up to -10C). When you try to heat a room with an air conditioner in frost, a compressor may break down in an inexpensive air conditioner, and in an expensive one the electronics will not allow you to turn on the heating. In autumn and spring, at positive temperatures, turning on the air conditioner in heating mode should be done with caution, since the radiator of the outdoor unit cools down and a large amount of condensation forms on it, and to prevent damage to the air conditioner, it must be regularly removed.

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In the descriptions of some air conditioners, you can see the "winter set" function. Some consumers, without understanding, believe that this function of the air conditioner will provide the optimal room temperature in the winter. In fact, this function implies cooling in winter of rooms with intense heat generation(for example, rooms where a large number of equipment is located). This has nothing to do with air heating, which is relevant for most consumers.

Now about the ventilators. Devices with climate control function, heats the air in the room to the temperature set by the user regardless of the temperature outside the window. The greater the temperature difference, the more efficient heating occurs. A number of ventilators without climate control function also heats the air, but without the possibility of setting a specific degree - the device has several heating powers, and the higher this power, the warmer the fresh air temperature in the room.

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Ventilators that are not equipped with a heater (their cost is correspondingly lower) can be installed next to the radiator, due to which the supplied air will be heated.

Summary

Thus, we can conclude that air conditioner and ventilator are different devices designed to solve different tasks and ideally complement each other... If there is a ventilator in the room, a simple, inexpensive air conditioner is sufficient to cool the air in summer, since the functions of supplying fresh air, filtering it from all kinds of impurities and, if necessary, heating are decided by the ventilator.

But as soon as it comes to the inflow function - silence. In addition, manufacturers and suppliers do not like to indicate in the description of the supply air conditioner that even at the lowest speed it makes a lot of noise (after all, no one has canceled the laws of physics, and in order to supply the same volume through a narrower channel, the feed rate must be higher, from which it inevitably follows: EITHER the fan performance should be higher, and this automatically means more noise, OR the supply volume should be LESS). Now to the numbers:

As for the air handling units, recuperators, theyheat the air by transferring heat to the supply air from the extract... At the same time, the air flows do not mix (this allows the well-thought-out design of the device). In the case of a recuperator, heating does not even require additional energy costs.

The supply of fresh air during a cold period of time leads to the need to heat it up to ensure the correct microclimate in the premises. Supply and exhaust ventilation with heat recovery can be used to minimize energy costs.

Understanding the principles of its operation will make it possible to reduce heat loss as efficiently as possible while maintaining a sufficient volume of replaced air. Let's try to understand this issue.

In the autumn-spring period, during ventilation of premises, a serious problem is the large temperature difference between the incoming and outgoing air. The cold stream rushes downward and creates an unfavorable microclimate in homes, offices and production facilities or an unacceptable vertical temperature gradient in the warehouse.

A common solution to the problem is integration into supply ventilation, with the help of which the flow is heated. Such a system requires energy costs, while a significant amount of warm air escaping to the outside leads to significant heat losses.

Air outlet to the outside with intense steam serves as an indicator of significant heat loss, which can be used to heat the incoming stream

If the air supply and exhaust channels are located side by side, it is possible to partially transfer the heat from the outgoing stream to the incoming one. This will reduce the consumption of electricity by the air heater or completely abandon it. A device for ensuring heat exchange between gas streams of different temperatures is called a recuperator.

In warmer months, when the outdoor temperature is much higher than room temperature, a recuperator can be used to cool the incoming stream.

Unit with a recuperator

The internal structure of the supply and exhaust ventilation systems is quite simple, so it is possible to purchase and install them independently. In the event that assembly or self-assembly causes difficulties, you can purchase ready-made solutions in the form of standard monoblock or individual prefabricated structures to order.

An elementary device for collecting and draining condensate is a sump located under the recuperator with a slope towards the drain hole

Moisture is removed into a closed container. It is placed only indoors in order to avoid freezing of the outflow channels at subzero temperatures. There is no algorithm for reliable calculation of the volume of water produced when using systems with a recuperator, therefore it is determined experimentally.

Reusing condensate to humidify the air is undesirable as water absorbs many pollutants such as human sweat, odors, etc.

You can significantly reduce the volume of condensate and avoid problems associated with its appearance by organizing a separate exhaust system from the bathroom and kitchen. It is in these rooms that the air has the highest humidity. If there are several exhaust systems, air exchange between the technical and residential areas must be limited by installing check valves.

In the case of cooling the outgoing air flow to negative temperatures inside the recuperator, condensate transforms into ice, which causes a reduction in the free area of ​​the flow and, as a consequence, a decrease in the volume or complete cessation of ventilation.

For periodic or one-time defrosting of the recuperator, a bypass is installed - a bypass channel for the movement of the supply air. When the flow is passed bypassing the device, heat transfer stops, the heat exchanger heats up and the ice turns into a liquid state. The water flows into the condensate collection tank or evaporates to the outside.

The principle of the bypass device is simple, therefore, if there is a risk of ice formation, it is advisable to provide for such a solution, since heating the recuperator in other ways is difficult and time-consuming.

When the flow passes through the bypass, there is no heating of the supply air by the recuperator. Therefore, when this mode is activated, it is necessary to automatically turn on the heater.

Features of different types of recuperators

There are several structurally different options for implementing heat transfer between cold and heated air streams. Each of them has its own distinctive features that determine the main purpose for each type of recuperator.

The design of the plate recuperator is based on thin-walled panels, connected alternately in such a way as to alternate the passage of different-temperature flows between them at an angle of 90 degrees. One of the modifications of this model is a device with finned channels for air passage. It has a higher heat transfer coefficient.

The alternate passage of a warm and cold air flow through the plates is realized by bending the edges of the plates and sealing the joints with polyester resin

Heat exchange panels can be made of various materials:

• copper, brass and aluminum-based alloys have good thermal conductivity and are not susceptible to rust;
• plastic made of polymeric hydrophobic material with a high coefficient of thermal conductivity; they are lightweight;
• hygroscopic cellulose allows condensation to pass through the plate and back into the room.

The disadvantage is the possibility of condensation formation at low temperatures. Due to the small distance between the plates, moisture or ice significantly increases aerodynamic drag. In case of freezing, it is necessary to shut off the incoming air flow to warm the plates.

The advantages of plate recuperators are as follows:

• low cost;
• long service life;
• long period between preventive maintenance and ease of its implementation;
• small size and weight.

This type of recuperator is most common for residential and office buildings. It is also used in some technological processes, for example, to optimize fuel combustion during furnace operation.

Drum or rotary type

The principle of operation of a rotary recuperator is based on the rotation of a heat exchanger, inside which layers of corrugated metal with a high heat capacity are located. As a result of interaction with the outgoing stream, the drum sector heats up, which subsequently gives off heat to the incoming air.

The fine-mesh heat exchanger of a rotary recuperator is susceptible to clogging, so you need to pay particular attention to the high-quality operation of fine filters

The advantages of rotary recuperators are as follows:

• sufficiently high efficiency compared to competing types;
• return of a large amount of moisture, which remains on the drum in the form of condensation and evaporates on contact with the incoming dry air.

This type of recuperator is less commonly used for residential buildings with apartment or cottage ventilation. It is often used in large boiler houses to return heat to furnaces or for large industrial or commercial and entertainment areas.

However, this type of device has significant disadvantages:

• a relatively complex structure with moving parts, including an electric motor, a drum and a belt drive, which requires constant maintenance;
• increased noise level.

Sometimes for devices of this type you can find the term "regenerative heat exchanger", which is more correct than "recuperator". The fact is that an insignificant part of the outgoing air enters back due to the loose fit of the drum to the body of the structure.

This imposes additional restrictions on the use of devices of this type. For example, polluted air from heating stoves cannot be used as a heat carrier.

Tube and casing system

The recuperator of the tubular type consists of a system of thin-walled small-diameter tubes located in an insulated casing, through which the outside air flows. A warm air mass is removed from the room through the casing, which heats the incoming stream.

Warm air must be removed through the casing, and not through a system of pipes, since it is impossible to remove condensate from them

The main advantages of tubular recuperators are as follows:

• high efficiency, due to the counter-flow principle of movement of the coolant and incoming air;
• simplicity of design and absence of moving parts ensures low noise level and seldom need for maintenance;
• long service life;
• smallest cross-section among all types of recuperation devices.

Tubes for a device of this type use either light-alloy metal or, less often, polymer. These materials are not hygroscopic; therefore, with a significant temperature difference between the flows, intense condensation may form in the casing, which requires a constructive solution to remove it. Another disadvantage is that the metal filling has a significant weight, despite its small size.

The simplicity of the design of the tubular recuperator makes this type of device popular for self-production. As an outer casing, plastic pipes for air ducts are usually used, insulated with polyurethane foam shell.

Intermediate heat transfer device

Sometimes the supply and exhaust air ducts are located at some distance from each other. This situation may arise due to the technological features of the building or sanitary requirements for reliable separation of air flows.

In this case, an intermediate heat carrier is used, circulating between the air ducts through an insulated pipeline. As a medium for the transfer of thermal energy, water or a water-glycol solution is used, the circulation of which is provided by work.

A recuperator with an intermediate heat carrier is a voluminous and expensive device, whose use is economically justified for rooms with large areas.

In the event that it is possible to use a different type of recuperator, then it is better not to use a system with an intermediate heat carrier, since it has the following significant disadvantages:

• low efficiency in comparison with other types of devices, therefore, such devices are not used for small rooms with low air consumption;
• significant volume and weight of the entire system;
• the need for an additional electric pump for liquid circulation;
• increased noise from the pump.

There is a modification of this system, when instead of forced circulation of the heat-exchange fluid, a medium with a low boiling point is used, for example freon. In this case, movement along the contour is possible in a natural way, but only if the supply air duct is located above the exhaust air duct.

Such a system does not require additional energy consumption, but it works for heating only when there is a significant temperature difference. In addition, it is necessary to fine-tune the point of change of the aggregate state of the heat-exchange fluid, which can be realized by creating the required pressure or a certain chemical composition.

Main technical parameters

Knowing the required performance of the ventilation system and the heat exchange efficiency of the recuperator, it is easy to calculate the savings on heating the air for the room under specific climatic conditions. By comparing the potential benefits with the costs of purchasing and maintaining the system, you can reasonably make a choice in favor of a recuperator or a standard air heater.

Equipment manufacturers often offer a model line in which ventilation units with similar functionality differ in the volume of air exchange. For residential premises, this parameter must be calculated according to table 9.1. SP 54.13330.2016

Efficiency

The efficiency of a recuperator is understood as the efficiency of heat transfer, which is calculated according to the following formula:

K = (T p - T n) / (T in - T n)

Wherein:

• T p is the temperature of the incoming air inside the room;
• T n - outside air temperature;
• Т в - air temperature in the room.

The maximum value of efficiency at standard and specific temperature conditions is indicated in the technical documentation of the device. Its real figure will be slightly less.

In the case of self-manufacturing of a plate or tubular recuperator, in order to achieve maximum heat transfer efficiency, the following rules must be adhered to:

• The best heat transfer is provided by counter-flow devices, then by cross-flow ones, and the least - with unidirectional movement of both flows.
• The intensity of heat exchange depends on the material and thickness of the walls separating the flows, as well as on the duration of the air being inside the device.

E (W) = 0.36 x P x K x (T in - T n)

where P (m 3 / hour) is the air flow rate.

Calculation of the efficiency of the recuperator in monetary terms and comparison with the costs of its purchase and installation for a two-storey cottage with a total area of ​​270 m2 shows the feasibility of installing such a system

The cost of recuperators with high efficiency is quite high, they have a complex design and significant dimensions. Sometimes it is possible to work around these problems by installing several simpler devices so that the incoming air passes through them in sequence.

Ventilation system performance

The volume of air passed through is determined by static pressure, which depends on the power of the fan and the main components that create aerodynamic resistance. As a rule, its exact calculation is impossible due to the complexity of the mathematical model, therefore, experimental studies are carried out for typical monoblock structures, and components are selected for individual devices.

The fan power must be selected taking into account the throughput of the installed recuperators of any type, which is indicated in the technical documentation as the recommended flow rate or the volume of air passed by the device per unit of time. As a rule, the permissible air speed inside the device does not exceed 2 m / s.

Otherwise, at high speeds, a sharp increase in aerodynamic drag occurs in the narrow elements of the recuperator. This leads to unnecessary energy consumption, ineffective heating of the outdoor air and a reduction in the service life of the fans.

The graph of the dependence of pressure loss on the air flow rate for several models of high performance recuperators shows a non-linear increase in resistance, therefore it is necessary to adhere to the requirements for the recommended volume of air exchange specified in the technical documentation of the device.

Changing the direction of the air flow creates additional aerodynamic drag. Therefore, when modeling the geometry of an indoor air duct, it is desirable to minimize the number of pipe turns by 90 degrees. Air diffusers also increase resistance, so it is advisable not to use elements with complex patterns.

Contaminated filters and grates create significant obstacles to flow and must be cleaned or replaced periodically. One of the most effective ways to assess clogging is to install sensors that monitor the pressure drop in the sections before and after the filter.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The principle of operation of a rotary and plate recuperator:

Measuring the efficiency of a plate-type recuperator:

Domestic and industrial ventilation systems with an integrated recuperator have proven their energy efficiency in keeping heat indoors. Now there are many offers for the sale and installation of such devices, both in the form of ready-made and tested models, and on an individual order. You can calculate the required parameters and perform the installation yourself.

If, when reviewing the information, questions appeared or you found inaccuracies in our material, please leave your comments in the block below.

In this article, we will not go into definitions and deep technical data. Let's talk in simple language.

In short, the difference is as follows. The air conditioner drives the air that fills the room, and the recuperator replaces the entire volume of air several times per hour.

And now for more details.

Air conditioning Is a device that heats (cools) air to a predetermined comfortable temperature in the room. It can be equipped with such additional functions as ionization, dehumidification (humidification), adding air from outside. Unscrupulous sellers often write that the air conditioner has a built-in ventilation function. This is a deception, because ventilation is the removal of air from the inside of the room and replacing it with the outside. Only industrial precision models have this function, not ordinary household ones.

Recuperator(in its simplest design) is an air handling unit that returns most of the heat back to the room. Heat recovery is performed by a heat exchanger, which has an efficiency of up to 90% and does not consume electricity at all. There are also models equipped with a climate control function, that is, they heat or cool the air to the desired temperature, like an air conditioner. Due to the fact that the recuperator constantly supplies air from the outside, there is no need to use a humidifier, dehumidifier, ionizer and other control devices for these parameters.

The most important difference between an air conditioner and a recuperator consists in the fact that the air conditioner pumps through itself only the air that is in the room, and the recuperator pumps out the air from the inside and supplies a fresh stream, thus completely renewing it from 2 times per hour. Those who are familiar with ducted air conditioners may be outraged and say that this type of air conditioner also supplies fresh air. However, the whole point is that the duct feeds no more than 15% of fresh air impurity (which sellers of course do not talk about), and this cannot be compared with a 100% recuperator.

For clarity, the table below shows the data with numbers.

Comparative characteristics of the recuperator and the air conditioner.

What equipment to choose a recuperator or air conditioner is up to you. But if someone from your family suffers from allergic reactions of the respiratory system, I advise you to refuse to buy an air conditioner, because the bacteria that will inevitably accumulate in it will cause even more stress on the immune system.

Nowadays, many people install air conditioners in their homes. In recent years, the presence of an air conditioner at home has become an indicator of the quality of life: after all, in the summer season, without it, in most apartments it is hot, stuffy and you want to go to the sea :-). It is not our goal to tarnish air conditioners. These are useful devices that perfectly cope with the main task assigned to them - indoor air cooling. In the summer, the benefits of an air conditioner can hardly be overestimated; it really makes life easier for many people.

The reaction of some of our friends and relatives, whom we told about ventilators, was the question "why do we need a ventilator if we already have an air conditioner installed?" Let's take a look at the most common misconceptions about air conditioners and ventilators.

Myth number 1... The air conditioner supplies fresh air to the room

Like most devices that combine several functions, supply air conditioners are weak in the "additional" functionality, which for them is the supply of fresh air. Observe: when they write about air conditioners, as a rule, they always describe in detail about filters, innovations and other "gadgets". But as soon as it comes to the inflow function - silence. I mean specific numbers, because without numbers it reminds of Ostap's statement "Whoever says that this is a girl, let him be the first to throw a stone at me" (c). That is, it, the function itself - is, you will not find fault. And who said that it would be a) effective and b) comfortable? No one wants to indicate in the description of the supply air conditioner that even at the lowest speed it makes a lot of noise (after all, the laws of physics have not been canceled, and in order to supply the same volume through a narrower channel, the feed rate must be higher, from which inevitably it follows: EITHER the performance of the fan must be higher, and this automatically means more noise, OR the volume of supply must be LESS). Now to the numbers:

The hole diameter when installing an air conditioner duct with an inflow function is 4 cm, which gives a cross-sectional area of ​​about 13 cm 2. The diameter of the hole when installing the air duct for the ventilator is from 8 to 12.5 cm, which gives a cross-sectional area of ​​50-123 cm 2. The calculations used the Formula of the area of ​​a circle Pi-Er-square: S = π * R * R, π = 3.14159 ...

Thus, the cross-sectional area of ​​the ventilator duct is 4-10 times larger. It follows that:

with the same fan performance and other things being equal, the ventilator will supply the room with 4-10 times more fresh air.

The question arises: maybe so much air is not needed? Let's turn to building codes: the norm for providing one person with fresh air in a room is 30 m 3 per hour. The maximum productivity of modern ventilators is from 100 to 180 m 3 per hour, which is equivalent to providing sufficient fresh air for 3 to 6 people who are constantly in the room.

Let's take into account the fact that this is the maximum performance of domestic air handling units on the market and, therefore, the noisiest operating mode. In practice, the noise-comfortable performance is 2-3 times lower than the maximum value. As a result, we get a range of 33-90 m 3 per hour. That is, 1-3 people can sleep comfortably in the same room with a working ventilator, while having sufficient air exchange.

Now let's apply our theory to fresh air conditioners. According to our conclusion, it should be that the inflow volume with a comfortable noise level for the air conditioner should be 4-10 times less than that of the ventilator, that is, from 3.3 to 22.5 cubic meters per hour.

Let's check these conclusions with the technical characteristics of air conditioners with inflow function.

For example, let's take the popular Hitachi RAS-10JH4 model, which costs about 50 thousand rubles. and one more Japanese novelty with a unique function of humidity regulation Daikin Ururu Sarara costing about 130 thousand rubles.

The maximum inflow volume is:

For Hitachi - there is no exact information, according to the seller - about 20 m 3 / hour

For Daikin - 32 m 3 / hour.

The point is that the function of the inflow in the air conditioner is indicated mainly for the "tick", but in fact this inflow is only 20 "cubes" per hour - and it is somehow undignified to write about this.

In addition, in such models of air conditioners, restrictions related to the air temperature are applied - for example, the air intake function works when the outside air temperature is at least +3 degrees, or when the difference between the outside and inside air is no more than 7 degrees. It can be concluded that in the cool season, supply air conditioners are idle, just like standard recirculation air conditioners. Of course, there are expensive models in which these disadvantages are minimized. But the cost of such models is several times higher than the cost of a ventilator and a typical air conditioner combined (for example, Daikin air conditioners cost around 100-250 thousand rubles).

As for inexpensive, like the Hitachi model, supply air conditioners, here are excerpts from reviews about them (taken from Yandex.Market, the spelling and punctuation of the authors are preserved) regarding the supply ventilation mode:

• "The supply / exhaust makes a noise (the pump motor hums, the air in the corrugation hisses), does not distract from work at minimum and medium speed, but I will not put such an air conditioner in the bedroom for anything."
• “The manufacturer does not write anywhere how many cubic meters. per hour pumps in / out the inflow and exhaust from this air conditioner. such a marketing intrigue. It is understandable why, through an inch tube, these values ​​will be "shameful" and will not reach the standards for submarines and places of confinement. "
• “In principle, I was warned that the inflow would be weak, but I did not expect that it would be that much. In addition, you won't be able to use it in winter - there are restrictions, the automation is watching. It is possible only in summer and autumn - the temperature difference outside and inside is no more than 7 degrees. In principle, it is needed mainly in the summer, but these are not all of its disadvantages. It is very noisy, including the weakest mode, in which it barely blows at all, but you can fall asleep. :) It is much noisier than the main fan, and the flow is worse. Controlling it is inconvenient. "
• “The supply mode is not used - it is too noisy and weak. "
• “The supply ventilation function does not work if outside the window is more than +30 degrees. "
• “Supply ventilation, for which I was bought, is, by and large, nonsense. This function exists separately from the air conditioner itself, pumping a separate fan through a separate duct. Even at the maximum speed of this fan, the flow of incoming air is very modest, and it buzzes strongly. Plus a bunch of conditions under which the inflow will not work. "

Myth number 2... The air conditioner cleans the air

Actually... The air conditioner undoubtedly purifies the air, but typical models are equipped only with coarse air filters, which, if you look at it, most often represent a metal mesh that traps large and medium indoor dust. Such a filter cannot effectively prevent the neutralization of microorganisms, pollen, small dust particles, bacteria and allergens that have entered the room.

Of course, expensive (more than 40-50 thousand) models of air conditioners are equipped with filters for fine air purification and the function of deactivating microorganisms and bacteria. But even inexpensive, costing up to 30,000 rubles, models of ventilators are equipped with fine air filters that prevent small particles of dust, allergens, odors, impurities, and the smallest contaminants (dust mites, mold, fungus, bacteria and viruses, etc.) from entering the ventilated room. .). After all, the problem is easier (and usually cheaper) to avoid than to eliminate its consequences. In addition, due to moisture condensation, pathogenic microorganisms, carcinogens and spores of pathogenic fungi that infect residents are accumulated on the filters and in the drainage system of the indoor unit of the air conditioner due to moisture condensation. Since contact with water is excluded in the ventilator, its filters do not pose such a hazard. Of course, as in the case of an air conditioner, the condition for observing the timely (recommended by the manufacturer) cleaning and replacing filters is the main guarantee of healthy air and trouble-free operation of the equipment - any equipment must be monitored. The only difference is that the ventilator is a household appliance and it is quite easy to maintain it yourself, while cleaning the air conditioner, as a rule, requires the departure of a qualified service worker and specialized equipment (especially cleaning and diagnostics of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, which is strongly not it is recommended and even prohibited to perform without appropriate qualifications).

Myth number 3... Air conditioners and ventilators are installed the same

Actually... The household air conditioner has both an outdoor and an indoor unit (or several units). Installing an air conditioner on the outer wall of a building is not always possible: this is interpreted as a redevelopment, for which approval is required - that is, bureaucratic red tape with an unpredictable result.

Many residents install air conditioners without permission, without going through the procedure for agreeing on redevelopment. However, this is fraught with problems: such tenants can be sued by both neighbors and the management company or city authorities. With a high probability, the claim will be satisfied - there are already such precedents - and the air conditioner will have to be dismantled.

As for the ventilator, its installation inside the building does not affect the appearance of the building, it is not considered a redevelopment, and therefore is not subject to approval. From the outside of the building, the opening is closed with a grating. In Moscow, there are no special regulations governing this aspect, so the installation of a grill without approval is legal.

Since the ventilator does not have an outdoor unit, no special climbing equipment is required for its installation, which reduces the cost of installation. Installation is carried out from the inside of the room: first, a hole is cut through the equipment for diamond drilling, then it is installed from the outside (possibly with a rain canopy), and from the inside - the device itself. Diamond drilling is so accurate that the effect of a “torn wall” is impossible, due to which the ventilator can also be installed in a renovated room. As for the air conditioner, a perforator is most often used to install it, which, if not used very skillfully, or in the case of a problem wall (hitting the reinforcement), can greatly "raskurochit" it.

Installation of the ventilator does not provide for the laying of extended air ducts - in 90% of cases, the length of the air duct is equal to the thickness of the wall (the exception is the case of laying the air duct through a balcony or loggia). The air coming from the ventilator is distributed throughout the room without the help of pipes.

Myth number 4... The air conditioner heats up the air

Actually... This is partly true - an air conditioner made in the form of a split system can heat the air. However, there are a number of restrictions, the main of which is the impossibility of heating in winter. You can turn on the split system for heating only at a positive outside temperature (more expensive models - up to -10C). When you try to heat a room with an air conditioner in frost, a compressor may break down in an inexpensive air conditioner, and in an expensive one the electronics will not allow you to turn on the heating. In autumn and spring, at positive temperatures, turning on the air conditioner in heating mode should be done with caution, since the radiator of the outdoor unit cools down and a large amount of condensation forms on it, and to prevent damage to the air conditioner, it must be regularly removed.

In the descriptions of some air conditioners, you can see the "winter set" function. Some consumers, without understanding, believe that this function of the air conditioner will provide the optimal room temperature in the winter. In fact, this function implies cooling rooms with intense heat generation (for example, rooms with a large number of equipment) in winter. This has nothing to do with air heating, which is relevant for most consumers.

Now about the ventilators. Their modification, called "breather", which has a climate control function, heats the air in the room to the temperature set by the user, regardless of the temperature outside the window. The greater the temperature difference, the more efficient heating occurs. Most ventilators without climate control function also heat the air, but without the ability to set a specific degree - the device has several heating powers, and the higher this power, the warmer the fresh air temperature in the room. Recuperators heat the air by transferring heat to the supply air from the extract air. If you have a ventilator that warms up the air, you do not need to spend money on a heater. In the case of a recuperator, heating does not even require additional energy costs.

Summary

Thus, we can conclude that a household air conditioner and a household ventilator are different devices designed to solve different problems, and ideally complement each other. If there is a ventilator in the room, a simple, inexpensive air conditioner is sufficient to cool the air in the summer period (when calculating the capacity of the air conditioner in tandem with the ventilator, it is necessary to install a more powerful air conditioner than if it were installed without a ventilator, since ventilation with warm air will require from an additional power conditioner), since the functions of supplying fresh air, filtering it from all kinds of impurities and, if necessary, heating are decided by the ventilator.

(c) Fresh Air. Copy with URL only

Proper air exchange is a key factor in the comfort of the home and the health of the household. And then the thought of creating proper ventilation naturally suggests itself. Recently, what has been lacking on the HVAC equipment market! It is difficult for an untrained person to understand that he really it is necessary to create a comfortable microclimate in the apartment.
Let's figure out what, for example, supply ventilation valves, supply units and recuperators serve.

It is used in natural and mechanical ventilation systems. The valve has protection against insects, noise, dust, wall freezing and condensation, as well as regulation of the amount of incoming air. You can adjust the air flow through the valve using the knob on the valve head or a special cord if the valve is located high. There is a scale on the head of the valve indicating the degree of valve opening. The valve is infinitely adjustable until fully closed. KIV-125 does not require any power consumption.
How does he work? The existing hood (ventilation ducts located in the kitchen and in the bathrooms), removing the exhaust air, creates a vacuum in the premises of the apartment, and due to this vacuum, fresh outside air enters the room through the KIV-125 valves.

Advantages:
* Double air purification.
* Built-in two-stage ceramic heater - for ventilation during the cold season.
* High efficiency fan - for quiet operation (from 21 dB) with minimal power consumption.
* Productivity from 40 to 120 m 3 / h

The air recuperator ventilates your room by deleting old air and inflow new, filtered, inside the room. In the process of air exchange, recuperation occurs, the transfer of energy from the outgoing air to the incoming one. In this way, the recuperator saves energy spent on heating in winter and air conditioning in summer.

* * * * *
For efficient operation of the supply valve or installation the hood must be active. An active exhaust hood is any stable exhaust system - mechanical (with the help of fans) or natural (ventilation ducts located in the kitchen and in bathrooms). For guaranteed operation of ventilation in the apartment in any season, regardless of the floor, it is recommended to install exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
The recuperators operate independently of the presence of exhaust ducts. We remember that the tasks of the recuperators, in addition to the supply of fresh air, include the removal of exhaust air.
BUT! There is a natural extractor hood in every home. That is why, in our opinion, installing recuperators in residential premises impractical ... Rather, they are suitable for rooms in which there is no extractor hood at all (garage, shed, storage room, etc.). The promised energy savings are also a controversial issue, since the volume of incoming air will be clearly insufficient - no more than 40 m 3 / h. Is this what you wanted to achieve by taking care of airing your house? And you will not feel the heating of the air in frost either.

If you need a valid saving, then we recommend considering the supply valves KIV-125. The valve performance depends on the vacuum generated by the hood:
at a discharge of 20 Pa (created by a mechanical hood) - 50 m 3 / h;
at a discharge of 10 Pa (creates a natural draft) - 35 m 3 / h.

If you want greater influx of fresh purified and, if necessary, significantly warmed up air, it is worth thinking about the supply ventilation unit.

And one more important point:
for an outer hole up to 150 mm (which is necessary for mounting, for example, KIV-125 or iFresh) is not required (if the building is not a cultural heritage site):

4.3.7. * Arrangement of air conditioning and ventilation systems without an outdoor unit with air supply through a hole in the wall with a diameter up to 0.15 m hidden by a fence grill is allowed ubiquitous (for objects of cultural heritage - in agreement with KGIOP).

* Government of the city of St. Petersburg "On approval of the rules for the maintenance and repair of facades of buildings and structures in St. Petersburg" (No. 1135 of 09/14/2006)

An external opening is required for recuperator mounting more diameter - 180 mm.