Installation of an air conditioner in the corridor: choosing the optimal location and the nuances of installing an air conditioner

Now it is impossible to imagine life without an air conditioner. Providing a comfortable room temperature in the hot season, air cooling systems are firmly established in everyday life. They are installed in factories, in offices, in houses and apartments. Not only the most effective operation of the device depends on the choice of the installation location, but also the state of health of people inside.

The number of installed air conditioners usually depends on the number of rooms in the apartment, however, the limited budget and the desire to reduce the amount of electricity consumed make you think of ways to optimize costs. One of them is the installation of air conditioning in the corridor of the apartment. But how to do it right and what nuances to consider when choosing a place for installation?

These are the issues we will discuss in our article, considering the nuances of choosing the best place in the corridor for installing an air conditioner. Consider the pros and cons of this solution, give useful recommendations.

Why install air conditioning in the hallway?

In summer, with increasing temperature, the demand for air conditioners increases sharply. In the rooms where the air conditioners are installed and work, a rather comfortable microclimate is formed.

But not always the owners have the opportunity to install climate control equipment in all rooms - you need to reduce energy consumption or there is no financial opportunity. But I want to create a comfortable microclimate throughout the apartment.

It is the solution of the issue of economy and the possibility of providing cool air to all the living quarters of the apartment that pushes the owners to look for alternative solutions, among which:

• installation of one powerful air conditioner in one of the rooms;
• installation of one air conditioner in the hallway.

It is worth noting that the installation of a household air conditioner in the corridor is considered more acceptable - this is the passage of the apartment, in which no one lingers for a long time.

If you choose one of the rooms as the location, then to cool the entire apartment with one device, you will need to set a lower temperature, which can lead to colds and other diseases of those who will be in this room.

By installing an air conditioner in the corridor, it is really possible to achieve cooling of the entire apartment, however, this will only happen if the equipment is properly sized and correctly located in the hallway.

One of the most common options for installing an indoor unit in the corridor is considered to be placed above the front door. This method eliminates the installation work inside the apartment. All communications connecting blocks and outgoing drainage are located outside the apartment on the landing

When choosing one air conditioner for the whole apartment, it is necessary to take into account an important parameter - the cooling capacity of the device (cooling capacity). It is indicated on all equipment in kW or special measurement units - BTU (British thermal unit).

Forselection of the required power It is necessary to calculate the area of ​​the apartment. So, for 10 square meters, an air conditioner with a power of 1 kW (3412 BTU) is suitable.

It is worth noting that for cooling all rooms in the apartment, a sufficiently powerful device will be required, which in its geometric parameters will have impressive dimensions.

Pros and cons of this technology placement

Now let's talk in detail about the pros and cons of installing an air conditioner in the hallway. As already noted, such a decision comes from a desire ensure the same comfortable temperature throughout the apartment one device.

Also the advantages of this solution include:

• annualMaintenance only one air conditioner is needed;
• centralized cooling system;
• lack of directed cold air in living rooms, which reduces the risk of diseases;
• lack of temperature difference in individual rooms of the apartment, which also affects human health.

This arrangement of the air conditioner also allows you to cool the kitchen, which favorably affects the person involved in cooking.

It is important to consider that with poor air exchange (closed doors or windows open in one of the rooms), the air temperature will equalize much longer, remaining in the corridor a couple of degrees lower than in that part of the apartment where air intake is difficult.

The option with the location of air conditioners in the corridor is not suitable for all apartment projects. Optimal apartments are considered to be "plowed up", when there is access to all rooms from the corridor. If the rooms are adjacent, then this solution will not work

Cons of this decision:

• if the location of the indoor unit is incorrectly selected, failure in the same cooling of all rooms may occur - the temperature in other rooms may vary by 5-6 degrees;
• impressive dimensions of the indoor unit - if you use a powerful system;
• complex installation and laying of communications - since the distance between the indoor and outdoor units will be quite impressive, additional technical implementation will be required;
• high price good air conditioning, as well as a considerable installation cost.

When installing the indoor unit of the air conditioner in the corridor and connecting it, work can affect several rooms of the apartment.

It is worth noting that it is not necessary to purchase air conditioners with cooling capacity for the entire area of ​​the apartment. When buying standard equipment designed to work in one large room, the cooling function will also be performed (somewhat longer than with a more powerful device), there is simply a greater likelihood of a quick breakdown of climate control equipment.

Recommendations for choosing a suitable place

When installing an air conditioner in the hallway of the entire apartment, the uniformity of air cooling in all parts of the apartment, as well as the correct operation of the device, depend on the choice of location.

When choosing a wall for installing an air conditioner, you should not install the indoor unit on a load-bearing wall. Installation of communications in the bearing wall will be extremely difficult

The fundamental rules for choosing a place in the corridor for the installation of HVAC equipment:

1. The outgoing air flow from the indoor unit must not abut against a nearby wall. It is advisable to install the unit so that the flow of cold air can be routed to other rooms in the apartment. The minimum distance to the opposite wall is 1 meter.
2. Keeping the distance between the ceiling and the top of the indoor unit. It should be at least 10-15 cm to ensure unhindered air flow.
3. Do not install the outdoor unit near furniture (cabinets), it is advisable to observe a distance of at least 1.5 meters.
4. Choosing the right wall for installing the indoor unit - the choice should be made taking into account the most functional arrangement of communications for connecting to an external unit.
5. The distance from the wall to the side walls of the block - when installing the indoor unit in the corner of the corridor, take into account the location of the side walls of the unit relative to the walls of the apartment - at least 20 cm.
6. Installation of the external unit is carried out only on the wall of the building - can not be installed on the balcony frame due to the large weight of the unit and sufficiently powerful vibration.

When deciding on the installation of a domestic air conditioner in the hallway, it is worth evaluating its area.

So, the relatively small size of the room (less than 5-6 square meters) and longitudinal corridors will not allow the air conditioner to function normally. The effect of beating off cold air will disable the temperature sensor.

An exception to observing the distance to the ceiling is the ceiling air conditioner. It is attached to the ceiling, and the necessary free space should be located under it - at least 10 cm

Also, in the absence of air circulation (closed interior doors), rapid cooling of a small space of the corridor will lead to automatic shutdown of the compressor (thanks to the temperature sensor located on the indoor unit). Thus, the cooling of the space will cease.

The nuances of installing an air conditioner

Installation of a household air conditioner in the corridor is a rather complicated technical measure, which can lead to some change in the interior of the hallway. Experts advise combining this operation with repair of the corridor.

The main nuances that arise when installing an air conditioner:

1. Mandatory conduct of a separate power line.
2. Determining the location of the condensate outlet.
3. Choosing a location for the air conditioning communication path.

With the first paragraph, everything is quite simple in the sense that drawing a power line into the hallway from the distribution point on the stairwell does not require wall shredding. It is enough to bring the cable inside the apartment and let it in the corner between the wall and the ceiling.

Seat selection laying of communications It provides for two solutions: through the apartment or through the staircase. The second option is most acceptable - when displaying the communications route connecting the external and internal units of the air conditioner, only one hole will need to be made through the corridor in the apartment. As a rule, it is made over the front door. If necessary, a power cable can be passed through it.

The installation of a protective box for the communications of the air conditioner drawn through the staircase is necessary not only to create an aesthetic appearance. The presence of protection allows you to prevent mechanical impact on the communication system of the air conditioner

The disadvantage of such a conclusion of communications is that the staircase is a common property of the residents of the house. In the event of a conflict with neighbors, such communications may be lodged with the management company and it will oblige to dismantle.

Running the track inside the apartment is likely to affect several walls. There may be problems in making holes. Also, the communication system carried out may violate the interior design.

We talked more about installing and connecting an air conditioner in this article: How to install and connect an air conditioner: detailed briefing error analysis.

Determining the location of the condensate outlet is also considered an important point, which should be taken into account and foreseen at the stage of choosing the installation location of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

There are three options for organizing the output of the drainage system:

• outside the house;
• inside the room;
• down the drain.

Leaving outside the apartment is considered the most common option. It is only worth considering that throughout the drainage system kinks should be excluded and a slope of 3 mm for each meter of drainage should be observed. In this embodiment, the output is combined with communications between the air conditioning units and placed in the staircase, hiding them with a special box made of metal or plastic.

The withdrawal of the drainage system into the room is considered the simplest and most impractical way. Condensate drain is carried out in a special tank, which is installed in the corridor. There is a need to constantly monitor the capacity of the tank.

If the installation rules for the drainage system for condensate discharge are not observed, malfunctions may occur. So, if the slope is not taken into account when removing the tube, then the liquid will pour out, draining along the wall or dripping onto the floor

The third option with the condensate outlet to the sewer system is used when decorating or overhauling an apartment at the “rough” stage of finishing work. In this case, condensate should be removed with the condition of having a special “dry” siphon when connecting the drainage to the sewage system. Otherwise, an unpleasant odor from the sewer into the room is possible.

It is worth noting that for the removal of condensate in a drainage system longer than 6 meters, the installation of an additional, more powerful drainage pump will be required. The minus of this installation is the difference between the life of the air conditioner and the pump. The pump has a much smaller resource, so you will have to face the replacement of this element in the future.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the system arrangement rules in more detail. condensate outlet.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The installation procedure of the air conditioner in the corridor and the laying of communications are shown in this video:

Another option for placing communications when installing an air conditioner in the corridor is presented in this video:

The installation of one air conditioner for the entire apartment is universal, for dwellings with several rooms. Installation in the hallway eliminates the purchase of air conditioners for each room separately and ensures the same temperature throughout the apartment.

However, in order to realize the most efficient operation of the air conditioner with such a solution of the installation, it is worth observing the rules for arranging blocks and laying communications described in the article. In economic terms, installation work will cost a little more due to the length of communications.

If after reading the article you still have questions, you can ask them to our specialists in a special form below. And also here you can share your own experience, add unique photos of your air conditioner installed in the hallway.