AC Buying Guide | Master the Air Conditioner Terminologies
Posted: Fri May 10, 2024 11:27 pm
Hey Explorers!
We are all aware that the summer is getting hotter almost every year due to global warming. To cope with that, we use Coolers and Air Conditioners according to our budget as traditional Fans are no longer efficient in providing cold air above 25°C to 30°C max.
If you're planning for a new AC and looking for a proper guide that helps you choose the best-suited one for you among the abundantly available options. You've landed at the best article available on the internet. Just be with me to become king of the field. Let's Dive!
Air Conditioners mean cooling; hence, the most important factor is the Cooling Capacity available in terms of Tonnage and Wattage, Energy Efficiency based on Inverter and Non-Inverter types along with Star rating and ISEER rating, warranty and service, and lastly, the smart and other important features that make it more user convenient. Let's discuss everything one by one.What are the important factors we are going to discuss in this guide?
Split AC or Window AC
Split AC is anytime a better choice over a traditional Window AC. They are modern and feature a separate indoor and outdoor unit compared to a single-unit old boxy monoblock designed window AC. Still, people have different requirements, hence below is a short description of both, with the advantages and disadvantages.
- Window ACs are cost-effective, which means cheaper than split ACs, need lesser space requirements due to their single-boxed design, and are easier and more affordable to maintain compared to split ACs. However, it has major disadvantages, like; typically a lower cooling capacity, generally less energy-efficient compared to split ACs, more noise due to the single unit structure, and a boring boxy old design that also needs to cut a large portion of the window to install it.
- Split ACs offer a higher cooling capacity, are more energy-efficient, have better noise control, feature a modern design with good aesthetics, offer more features, and need a small hole in the wall for pipe output during installation. However, it also offers a few disadvantages, like; they are costlier compared to window AC, maintenance is a bit harder and costs more, installation is a bit harder, which demands separate space for the outdoor unit, and replacement parts are more expensive if damaged.
What is Tonnage and How Much is Needed?
Contrary to our popular belief, “ton” in air conditioners has nothing to do with weight. Instead, it refers to the cooling capacity of an AC. It's a measurement of how much heat the AC can remove from a closed space in one hour. 1 ton of AC can remove 12,000 British Thermal Units of heat per Hour. Let's keep this simple: more the "Tonnage or Ton" more the cooling capacity. The bigger the room size, the higher the tonnage needed. Never go for an undersized or oversized AC, choose the tonnage wisely.
To determine how much tonnage you need for your space, you typically consider factors such as the size of the space, the climate of the area, ceiling height, the insulation of the building, sunlight exposure, and the amount of heat-generating appliances your space has. This means a higher ton of AC is required to cool rooms with more heat trapped inside. Do remember, a 1.5-ton AC can easily handle even 200 sq ft of room and may be insufficient for even rooms of 160 sq ft as it depends upon several factors discussed above. Consulting with an HVAC professional can help ensure that you choose the right-sized AC for optimal comfort and efficiency. Below is a general chart for "ton" size requirements according to room size for normal residential use cases.
- 1 Ton AC - Upto 110 sq ft room size
- 1.5 Ton AC - 110 sq ft to 170 sq ft room size
- 2 Ton AC - 170 sq ft to 260 sq ft room size
This step is crucial, as brands play a lot with this. Have you ever encountered two ACs of the same tonnage providing different levels of cooling performance? If yes, then here's your answer, and if not, get it before you get tricked.Check the Cooling Capacity Again!
You need to check the cooling capacity written in terms of "Watt". It's available on the BEE star rating labels found on the AC unit or in the specification sheet. "1 ton = 3516.85 Watt". Therefore, we need to divide the actual cooling capacity written in the form of watt by 3516.85 to get the exact tonnage of that AC. For example:
- LG 1.5 Ton 3 Star DUAL Inverter Split AC - Has only 4400W of 100% Cooling Capacity, which means Only 1.25 ton of actual cooling capacity.
- Daikin 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC - Boasts 5280W of 100% Cooling Capacity, which means an actual 1.50 ton of cooling capacity.
- Panasonic 1.5 Ton 5 Star Wi-Fi Inverter Smart Split AC - 5100W of 100% Cooling Capacity, which is also good with 1.45 ton of actual cooling capacity.
Inverter AC doesn't mean that it will run on your Inverter after a power cut. Instead, it refers to a compressor technology that enhances the power efficiency of an AC when compared to a Non-Inverter one. It's highly recommended to go with Inverter tech over non-inverter. Let's take a brief of both:What is Inverter and Non-Inverter ACs and What to Choose?
- Non-Inverter AC - This refers to an older fixed-speed compressor technology where the compressor either runs at full capacity or gets turned off entirely. Upon raising the room temperature above a set value, the compressor kicks in at full capacity and runs until it reaches the set value and gets completely turned off after that. This process repeats continuously to maintain the room temperature. However, this process possesses several disadvantages: They are less energy-efficient due to the continuous starting and stopping of the compressor, have temperature fluctuation due to the on-off cycling of the compressor, have higher noise levels, and have a shorter life span due to more wear and tear of the compressor. The only advantage of these ACs are less expensive for initial purchasing and maintenance costs over time.
- Inverter AC - It's a new variable-speed compressor technology where the compressor runs at a variable speed instead of starting and stopping. Initially, the compressor runs at full capacity to reach the required temperature. Then, instead of turning off, it reduces its speed to maintain the required temperature. This results in precise temperature control and better energy efficiency. This tech brings a lot of advantages: Better energy efficiency resulting in lower operating costs, precise temperature control without fluctuation, quieter operations, and longer compressor life. The only disadvantage of these ACs is that they are more expensive for initial purchase and maintenance costs over time. Parts of Inverter ACs are much more expensive and affect your pocket a lot when get damaged out of warranty.
Nowadays you will also get an option for Dual inverter technology with dual rotary compressors instead of a single compressor to further enhance the energy efficiency and cooling capacity with added lower noise levels.
What is Star and ISEER Rating?
Star Rating and ISEER (Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) are both energy efficiency rating systems used in India to evaluate the performance of air conditioning units.
- Star Rating - Star Rating is a system developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in India to indicate the energy efficiency of electrical appliances. It ranges from 1 Star to 5 Star. The more the number of starts, more the energy efficient the appliance is. In the case of ACs, evaluation is based on their energy consumption at full load conditions.
- ISEER - This ratio or rating is only applicable for Air Conditioners. ISEER rating is the total cooling load (amount of heat removed) to the total energy consumed by the air conditioner over a range of operating conditions and seasonal temperature variations, providing a more accurate representation of real-world energy consumption. Here different load conditions are used during the assessment. Again, the higher the number, the more energy-efficient the AC is.
Many people are still confused between 3-star and 5-star ACs as the same model of a 5-star AC typically costs approximately 7K-10K more compared to a 3-star AC. If your usage is limited, such as using the AC for max 4-5 hours a day, then you should prefer a 3-Star AC. It takes more than 8-9 years to cover the extra cost of 10K for a 5-Star AC in this scenario. However, if your usage is high, such as 7-8 hours a day or more, investing in a 5-star AC makes sense. The extra 7K-10K investment can be recouped in 3-4 years max in this case. Investing in a 5-star AC is likely the better choice if you prioritize energy efficiency and long-term savings. However, if budget constraints are a concern or if you have moderate cooling needs, a 3-star AC can still provide efficient cooling performance at a more affordable price point.
Warranty is a crucial factor when purchasing AC, in fact more crucial when purchasing an inverter AC as the parts are extremely expensive. At the same time, service is also important as you are going to take service from that brand for a long time. Check if that brand is providing you with the PCB warranty or not because many trick us here. Minimum Warranty requirements:Warranty and Service
- Minimum 1 Year of Comprehensive Warranty
- Minimum 5 Years of Warranty on PCB
- Minimum 10 Years of Warranty on Compressor
Other Important Features
- Convertible modes are extremely important, as they contribute significantly to energy efficiency and allow for flexible operation at various capacities. This capability enables an inverter AC to function similarly to a non-inverter model. Many ACs offer multiple convertible options, sometimes up to 7 that allow us to use that AC from 40% to up to 110% of its capacity.
- 100% Copper Coil is needed for a long life. Although, nowadays brands provide copper coil but still a few are available with Aluminium and others.
- Coating on Coil and Fins to prevent sediment deposition, rusting & corrosion, and to maintain reliability and efficiency over time. Different marketing terms are there like, Blue Fin, Gold Fin, Transparent, etc., but at the end coating is important.
- Swing Direction needs to be checked. 4-way swing cover more area but a few are still providing only 2-way swing.
- Wi-Fi Smart Control is a must-need feature. If you are using a smart ecosystem with your wifi or have plans for the future, must go with the Wi-Fi model with smart app controls even if it costs 1K more. You will get all the controls over the phone, google, and Alexa voice assistant.
- Anti-dust and Anri-Microbial Filter are also needed as many brands are providing to protect you and your AC from dust and pollution. And please don't get stuck with the gimmicky features like virus and bacteria filters.
First, decide the type of AC you need, then assess the size and conditions of the room to select the appropriate tonnage. Precisely check for the cooling capacity while purchasing as discussed above. Opt for inverter technology and carefully evaluate the ISEER and Star ratings. Additionally, prioritize checking the warranty coverage. In short, Compare prices, features, energy efficiency ratings, and long-term costs, including energy consumption and maintenance, to find the best value for your money. Below are 3 recommended 1.5-ton ACs from my Side, you can opt for a 3-star or 5-star variant of the same according to your need.Conclusion
Recommended 1.5-ton ACs
- Panasonic 1.5 Ton 3 Star Wi-Fi Inverter Smart Split AC (Copper Condenser, 7 in 1 Convertible with True AI Mode, PM 0.1 Air Purification Filter, CS/CU-SU18ZKYWT, 2024 Model, White)
- LG 1.5 Ton 5 Star DUAL Inverter Wi-Fi Split AC (Copper, AI+ Convertible 6-in-1 Cooling, 4 Way Swing, HD Filter with Anti-Virus Protection, 2024 Model, TS-Q19PWZE, White)
- Daikin 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC (Copper, PM 2.5 Filter, 2023 Model, MTKM50U, White)
That's all for today from my side. I hope you liked this article. Do follow me for more such content and don't forget to share your feedback in the comment section. We will meet again in the next thread soon.
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