Anyone who lives in a condominium subject to architectural constraints knows it well, installing an external unit is not always possible. Altroconsumo tested five fixed air conditioners without an external unit, designed specifically for these cases, evaluating their efficiency, noise and comfort in the laboratory. The verdict rewards Argo Apollo 12 HP, even if the ranking reserves more than one surprise.
What Altroconsumo tested
Altroconsumo technicians analyzed five models, Argo Apollo 12 HP, Olimpia Splendid Unico Evo 25 HP PVAN, Innova 2.0 12 HP, Olimpia Splendid Unico Pro 35 HP EVAN and Innova 2.0 ELEC 2 kW 12 HP, measuring summer and winter efficiency, standby consumption, dehumidification capacity, comfort, noise and ease of use. It must be said immediately that these devices are not comparable in all respects to traditional splits: even without a motor on the facade, they still require two holes in the perimeter wall, one for air intake, the other for expulsion, and house the compressor in the same block installed in the house. A choice which, explains Altroconsumo, generally makes them noisier and less efficient than a split with external unit.
Who wins and why
With 58 points out of 100, Argo Apollo 12 HP takes first place overall. The model convinces above all for the ratio between declared power and real power, particularly good in heating, and for one of the best temperature distributions in the group. Dehumidification reaches 1.6 liters of water per hour, not bad data. The Achilles’ heel remains the noise level: in fact, there is no silent mode.
In second place, with 55 points, is Olimpia Splendid Unico Evo 25 HP PVAN, the only one of the five to use R290 refrigerant, more environmentally friendly than R32 but also more flammable, so much so that Altroconsumo recommends entrusting installation and maintenance to qualified personnel. The Innova 2.0 12 HP follows in third place with 54 points, indicated as the best ever for cooling thanks to a summer efficiency that is unrivaled in the test.
In fourth place we find Olimpia Splendid Unico Pro 35 HP EVAN, 49 points but record in heating power (2.35 kW measured, the highest value in the comparison), and fifth Innova 2.0 ELEC 2 kW 12 HP, which closes the ranking with 48 points despite the additional electric resistance designed to increase winter yield.
The comparison with split and portable
Perhaps the most useful data, for those who are considering the purchase, concerns the comparison with other types of air conditioners. At 30 °C, the efficiency of the models without external unit tested is approximately half that of the average split, and can drop up to a third compared to the best split of the Altroconsumo comparator. Even on the noise front the gap is clear: in the split the compressor works outside the home, here it shares the room with those who live there. Compared to portable devices, however, these devices offer a concrete advantage: no hose to pass through the window, and an installation which, once done, is fixed and quite discreet.
Which one to choose
The answer, according to Altroconsumo, depends on the installation possibilities rather than on personal preferences. The split with external unit remains the most efficient solution ever. The fixed model without external unit becomes a sensible compromise when the condominium regulations or the aesthetic constraints of the facade leave no other choice. Finally, the laptop remains the most suitable choice for occasional use or for those who need to move the device from one room to another.
