The simplest and most elementary way to save money is to purchase a split system not in the "hot" season, but in winter or autumn. In the cold season, air conditioning equipment is much cheaper, as is its installation. You should not chase the latest innovations in the air conditioning market – last year's model usually costs less, and its set of functions may differ insignificantly. Find out about discounts and sales in advance. Think about which options you will really need, and which ones you will hardly ever need. Do not buy a split system with "extra" options based on the future. As practice shows, most often they do not find use, and the air conditioner itself eventually costs more than the same, but with the functionality you really need. It is better to buy equipment not on the market and not from random sellers, but in specialized climate companies. When you come to buy an air conditioner at a home appliance store, you may be faced with the fact that the sales consultant is not qualified enough to help you choose it correctly. It is also not necessary to purchase equipment that has already been in use.

Equipment from little-known manufacturers can be assembled from low-quality components and using materials harmful to health, It often happens that many air conditioners under new unknown brands turn out to be Chinese, and their quality is questionable, despite the fact that quite competitive equipment is produced in China. It is better to choose from well-known brands. And when a specific model has already been selected — read reviews about it on the Internet. An air conditioner that works only for air cooling is about 10-15% cheaper than more complex models, which also provide room heating. At the same time, as already mentioned, it is irrational to use a split system for heating. Another mistake is saving on the power of the air conditioner. A system with less power than is necessary to cool your room will work literally "to wear out" and will quickly fail. Too high power also shortens the life of the equipment and increases power consumption. The maximum possible deviation of power from the required one – both in a smaller and in a larger direction – is 15-20%.

You should not install the split system yourself — inept installation can lead to a quick breakdown of equipment and deprive you of a company warranty on the equipment. This requires expensive tools and special skills, so it is better to entrust the installation to specialists from specialized companies. The workers found on the ad may not have the necessary qualifications and you will have to overpay for cheap installation in the future. Be safe and check whether the chosen one advertises itself for installation all year round or only during the season. Reputable firms, usually, conduct year-round advertising campaigns.

It is better to install the split system before or during the repair. The installation of an air conditioner in an already renovated apartment is much more difficult and labor-intensive, and therefore more expensive. Of course, all communications can be hidden in the outer box, but it does not look very aesthetically pleasing. After installation, do not forget about regular maintenance – it significantly prolongs the service life of the equipment.

 

The main manufacturers of split systems

Now in Ukraine there is a wide selection of air conditioners from different manufacturers. Conventionally, all equipment can be divided into three price segments, although the difference between them is not very large. The expensive segment includes products under the trademarks Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, Fujitsu General, Mcquay, Toshiba. Panasonic and Chofu air conditioners are a little cheaper. These models, the so-called premium brands, with equal technical characteristics are more expensive than others, but they have self-diagnosis systems, have a modern design and small dimensions. In addition, they are equipped with protection systems against improper operation that turn off the air conditioner in case of overload or a dangerous situation. Some expensive air conditioners are equipped with a convenient programmable timer for switching on and off at a given time, an additional thermostat built into the control panel and can be remotely controlled using a phone.

The middle price segment is occupied by such brands as Samsung, Delonghi, Fuji, Sharp, Hitachi, Carrier, Cooper&Hunter. Some of these split systems have not only a self-diagnosis function, but also a dehumidification mode, in which moisture is removed from the air, and its temperature does not change. This function can be convenient in rainy and warm weather. These models have a good value for money, but, in comparison with more expensive devices, they make a little more noise when working and have a shorter life span. However, their characteristics and functionality are quite enough for use in everyday life.

Low-cost brands of air conditioners also have quite acceptable characteristics, but also a higher percentage of defects. These are Haier, Saturn, Midea air conditioners. The same category sometimes includes equipment from the Russian company "European Ventilation Systems" and some other manufacturers.