Thread: What you wanted to know about Air conditioning but were afraid to ask

Originally Posted by baldrick

why are split systems the norm now and what really happened to refrigerated units ?

I understand that the heat exchanger and compressor are now mounted in maybe a service friendly position , but I did like the refridgerated units which could take fresh air from outside and transport it to the room.

I had a job once where we had a full roll of the white filter material which was 2 meters in width and on a night shift I would lay it down in the storeroom and place the radio on a shelf beside it with predictable results


I am interested in any technical reason for using the split system VS a wall mounted refridgerated system - apart from the need to have a hole in the wall

Quietness, hole size, the ability to keep it high on the wall out of the way. Efficiency. Being able to place the outdoor unit in a more suitable place, especially where noise may be an issue for your neighbours. I am with you on the fresh air aspect Balders. I leave my window slightly open. You could place an adjustable vent in the door and ceiling. This couild create a natural draft when the A/c is not in use and keep the room slightly cooler. Then again why just not open all the windows. With AC running the air should be drawn in through the door vent and the warmer rising air expelled through the ceiling vent, providing the ceiling space is vented.

My first criterion at a/c selection is the noise. Is there any no-split type with a quiet function?

Even in many hotel room - including many 5-star hotels - the noise is unbearable...

Anybody cleaning aircon here ?
Not to save 500, but 10000 as I had to spend after an idiot killed some electronics that only Daikin official engineers were able to fix after spending 3 days....
From now I would prefer to clean my aircon myself.

Originally Posted by Hugh Cow

There is a foam spray that you can apply directly to the coil and the actual condensate on the operating cooling coil washes it away down the drip tray and drain line. It also cleans the two on its way out. Available from refrigeration and air conditioning wholesalers in Chiang Mai. There are other coil cleaners not foam. One if I remember is blue in a squirt bottle and does the same thing and is reasonably priced. You could call in the service agent and have it professionally cleaned if you have one you trust. In Bangkok it costs under 1000 baht all up as a price guide.

Really not a good solution as the dirt can clog the pipe and anyway it won't clean the fan that can be very dirty.

Originally Posted by Klondyke

My first criterion at a/c selection is the noise. Is there any no-split type with a quiet function?

Even in many hotel room - including many 5-star hotels - the noise is unbearable...

The only solution is to change the fan speed to the lowest setting, if the noise is from the indoor unit. In a hotel room at night the fridge noise can be mistaken for the A/C. If its the outdoor unit turning up the thermostat to a slightly warmer temp may cause the unit(if inverter) to slow compressor speed and lessen the noise, or solution 2, use a hammer. If its in your own house move the outdoor unit away from occupied rooms. If thats not feasible use solution 2.

Originally Posted by JournalistsAreLiars

Anybody cleaning aircon here ?
Not to save 500, but 10000 as I had to spend after an idiot killed some electronics that only Daikin official engineers were able to fix after spending 3 days....
From now I would prefer to clean my aircon myself.

Originally Posted by JournalistsAreLiars

Really not a good solution as the dirt can clog the pipe and anyway it won't clean the fan that can be very dirty.

A good A/C company will remove the fan and clean it as well, although on some units the fan is not removed purely because of the degree of difficulty of removing the indoor fan from some units and time involved to do so. It should be done by a professional tech as they will know how to keep the cleaning solution away from sensitive areas on the unit.
Dont neglect cleaning of the outdoor unit as well as this keeps the unit operating at peak efficiency.

^^^Some people have asked about how much area a split system indoor unit will cool. The above is an indication of air flow in an empty room and is only a guide as I have taken the information from one manufacturer.
Size air velocity and louvre angle will make a difference.
Partition walls furniture etc will interrupt these air patterns.

I have noticed many Thai air installations run the drain pipe up hill, one hotel we stayed in had this problem, needless to say the water flowed into the room, the hotel attendant just said dont run it so cool and the problem will go away.

Not a lot upstairs, but the nicest people money can buy.

Evaporator unit screens = felt factory.
Harvest every 5 years unless falang guest cleans them for you.

I showed a ‘handyman’ at an island resort how to do this once but he looked at me like I was showing him my dick.

Originally Posted by docmartin

Evaporator unit screens = felt factory.
Harvest every 5 years unless falang guest cleans them for you.

I showed a ‘handyman’ at an island resort how to do this once but he looked at me like I was showing him my dick.

Of course. You mistakenly thought A: you were doing him a favour and B: he would shows some appreciation, when in fact C: meant you were making more work for him and D: He didn't give a flying fook.

How true ....
I mistakenly thought A) he should be doing his job and B) he’s more likely to have a job if guests are comfortable.
How naive.

I spent some time with a Thai, he called himself a builder, a 10 year old child could do better, bloody hopeless to the max.