Rising temperatures in India have made air conditioners (AC) more or less of a necessity for every household. However, choosing the wrong air conditioner for your house can either result in large electricity bills or regret over buying an AC that isn’t very good at cooling your room. It’s very important to have the right information before you head out to a store and buy one. This buying guide intends to help you identify the factors that you need to look into, to make the right AC purchase to dodge the summer heat.
What type of AC should you buy?
Window and split ACs are the two most popular types of ACs available for home use. They both have roughly the same features, but come in different size formats. Owing to their sizes and builds, there are some inherent advantages and disadvantages to either one.
Window air conditioners are the most commonly used single-room ACs. All the components of the AC are built into a single box unit. As a result, window ACs are much easier to install than split ACs. They usually get mounted on a window sill or an opening in the wall. On the other hand, the functioning components in that same box means that they’re noisier than split ACs. They are the best option for small sized rooms and they are also priced to be affordable.
Split ACs as the name might suggest, have two units. The indoor unit is placed in the house and the other placed outside. As the compressor is placed in the external unit, split ACs end up being quieter than window-type ACs. The split design makes it difficult to install the AC, as you have to drill holes in your wall to run cables and tubes that connect the two units. They can be installed in a windowless room, a benefit that the window ACs don’t provide. They have a sleek design and are available in beautiful designs that are meant to blend with the rest of your room. They are slightly expensive than window ACs though.
How do you know what capacity is right for your room?
After making up your mind on the type of AC, you need to determine the capacity of the air conditioner. The capacity of air conditioners is measured in terms of tons. Split and window ACs are available in various capacities, ranging from 1 to 2 tons. The tonnage of an AC does not refer to its weight; it is a unit used to determine the rate at which an AC can cool a room. In simple terms, a larger room requires an air conditioner with a higher tonnage.
An accurate way of determining the exact capacity required is by taking into consideration something called BTU (British Thermal Unit). BTU is the standard measuring unit used for classifying air conditioners. Higher the BTU, better is the cooling of the air conditioner. A single ton is rated at 12000 BTU. As per international standards, it is said that you require about 20 BTU per sq. feet. The number can also change depending on the ambient temperature of the room and other factors.
The table given below will help you identify the right tonnage based on the size of your room and the budget required for the preferred type of AC. Please note that the price ranges are estimates meant for indication only.
Air conditioner capacity guide
| Room size | 100 – 125 sq ft | 150 – 200 sq ft | 200 – above sq ft |
| Tonnage | 1 ton | 1.5 ton | 2 ton |
| Split AC | Rs. 25,000 – Rs. 37,000 | Rs. 37,000 – Rs. 58,000 | Rs. 45,000 – Rs. 60,000 |
| Window AC | Rs. 20,000 – Rs. 23,000 | Rs. 24,000 – Rs. 37,000 | N/A |
Note: Pricing mentioned above are estimated, and likely to change. Please refer to the product catalog for the latest details.
A higher tonnage means that the air conditioner maybe more expensive, but the price of the AC might also differ based on its features and energy efficiency.
Although the size of the room is the most important thing to consider while determining the tonnage, there are a few other factors that also need some attention. For example, the size of the windows and the amount of sunlight that enters the room also needs to be taken into consideration. It’s important, especially during the summer as sunlight entering the room can also increase the temperature quite a bit. If you have a big window which faces the sun during a certain time of the day, then you would require an air conditioner with a higher BTU. Similarly, the number of lights you use in the room also makes a difference. More number of electronic appliances running in the room can increase the temperature substantially.
How to select the most energy efficient AC as per your need?
One of the major reasons why some people shy away from buying an air conditioner is the running cost. The efficiency of an air conditioner was previously denoted as EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) but since the temperatures across India vary across seasons, a new standard has been implemented – ISEER (Indian Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratio). It is the ratio of the air conditioner’s cooling capacity (BTU, Tonnage) to its total power consumption. ISEER ratings are generally denoted as stars ratings which help you easily identify energy-efficient air conditioners. Higher the star rating, better the air conditioner’s energy efficiency. If you want to know more about ISEER ratings and its importance, don’t forget to read our article on it.
Air conditioners with similar capacities need not necessarily have the same power consumption. Some ACs therefore, sport a better ISEER rating than others. Unfortunately, these air conditioners are also expensive. In such cases, it is important for you to figure if buying the more expensive but more efficient variant is the way to go.
To understand this in more detail, let’s take an example of a model X and model Y, two ACs which have the same capacity of 12,000 BTU (1 ton). Model X has a power consumption of 2,000 watts and model Y has a power consumption of 1,500 watts. Naturally, model Y is more efficient, but also costs Rs. 5,000 more.
To know which of these two models is more efficient, let’s calculate the amount of money you can save with model Y compared to model X, in a single year’s usage. This in turn will tell you how quickly you can recover the additional Rs. 5,000 you pay for it. Let’s assume that the AC will be used for about six hours a day, for six months in a year considering we don’t use the ACs much in the rainy and winter seasons. That would amount to 1080 hours (180 days x 6 hours) of usage in a year. You also need to know the rate of the electricity unit (kWh) in your area. As an example, let’s take the unit (kWh) rate as Rs. 5.
The additional savings from model Y will be:
(Number of hours x Difference of power consumption between X and Y ACs)/ (1000 watts/kilowatt) x (Rate of one unit)
(1080 hours x 500 watts)/ (1000 watts/kilowatt) x (Rs.5 kWh) = Rs. 2700
This means that model Y will take roughly two years to recover the additional Rs. 5,000 spent on it, which is a better option for the long run.
Note: These are just estimations, and actual performance and savings may differ based on usage and location.
Inverter-equipped ACs
If electricity bills are your main concern, then an inverter-equipped AC is one of the best options you can go for. In traditional air conditioners, the compressor when active runs at its peak speed or is switched off. This process of constantly switching on and off the compressor, to adjust to the temperature change takes up a lot of power. Inverter-equipped air conditioners as opposed to traditional air conditioners constantly control the speed of the compressor motor, in order to adjust to the slight changes in the temperature of the room. Inverter air conditioners are said to be considerably more efficient than ordinary air conditioners. Inverter-equipped ACs are also said to have a better performance and have a longer life.
Filters:
Apart from capacity and power consumption, there are other features to consider. One of the most important things you can look for are the types and number of air filters in the air conditioners. Most manufacturers today provide anti-bacterial filters that help disinfect the air of bacteria and other germs in order to build a healthy environment. Some air conditioners also have odour removal filters.
Airflow:
Almost every air conditioner today has flaps that can manually be moved to redirect air. Some others give you the option to use a remote and automatically control the direction of the airflow.
Other features:
You can also opt for an AC that is bundled with a remote that has a digital display. This helps a lot in controlling the many features. For example, it helps in using the timer mode, which can switch on and off the air conditioner according to your preference. Noise levels of the AC should also be considered, especially if you’re planning to install it in a bedroom. The noise levels of an air conditioner are usually mentioned in its specification details.
Refrigerants:
Refrigerants are one of the most important components of the air conditioner. They are fluids that go through phase conversion cycles from liquid to gas and back, in order to provide cool air from the AC. The most common refrigerant used till today is R22. This refrigerant is getting phased out by R410a which is known to be more environmental friendly. R410a also has a low boiling point, which means it’s more power efficient. An air conditioner using R410a is not only good for the environment but is also economical for the long run.
Advanced features:
Besides these general features, you can also opt for some additional features such as hot and cold AC. These air conditioners are becoming a growing trend in the market. These air conditioners are like all-weather ACs. They can not only be used as an ACs during the summers, but can also be used as a room heater during winters. Some air conditioners also have adaptive features. These ACs come with built-in sensors that judge the environment of the room and adjust the air around the people accordingly. Some air conditioners can also change the direction of their air flow towards the side of the room with people in it.
Air conditioners are big bulky units that are hard to miss, especially in small rooms. Look for one that matches the interiors of your home. As mentioned, split ACs are available in many designs, but as window ACs have started becoming less used, you may not find many options. If you are someone who likes smart features, you should also look for Wi-Fi enabled ACs. These smart features let you control your AC using your smartphone or tablet, with the help of an app. if you want to know more about Wi-Fi enabled ACs, read on our article on the subject.
Finally, one of the most important aspects to look for while buying an air conditioner is its warranty. Most manufacturers provide a minimum warranty of one to two years. Some manufacturers also provide an additional warranty for crucial components such as the compressor. The warranty period for these components is usually much longer than the comprehensive warranty provided on the AC. ResQ also offers RCP (ResQ Care Plan) for extended warranty and also maintenance. All of this should help your air conditioner run efficiently, thereby reducing the electricity used. This means lower electricity bills for you. If you haven’t opted for it yet, read more about how to properly maintain your air conditioner.
With the summer right around the corner, we reckon this is the right time to go out and buy an air conditioner. Just drop into your closest Reliance Digital stores. We’ll be more than happy to help you choose a model that’s right for you. Now, you can also order an air conditioner online in a minute, and we’ll come deliver and set it up for you.
