Are you looking for the best air conditioner for the upcoming summer? But you do not know How to choose the best suitable AC brand in India? Whenever someone planning to buy any new products, gadgets, or appliances, they may face such type of question. For you, I will resolve that confusion with a few simple steps.
In India, during the month of March, we start to feel the summer season. At the beginning of March month, the temperature rises above 35 degrees plus in many cities in India. And the average temperature is around 30 to 42 degrees during the summer season across India.
In the past decade, we have noticed, the normal temperature has risen 0.8 degrees Celsius across the Earth. So it’s very obvious we need a cooling system for our home and offices, to keep the temperature under control to avoid discomfort.
So, buying an Air Cooler and Air Conditioner has become a necessity rather than an item of luxury. Due to ease of operation, the Air Conditioner becomes a smarter choice for the buyer. Due to the huge demand for Air Conditioner units, frequently the latest products come into the market.
Ultimately, you get many options to select the best AC for you. So it’s natural to be confused about how to choose the best AC in India.
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But before buying this electronic appliance you must know certain things related to AC for choosing the right product. You need to be aware of various features before investing in the AC for your home.
For that, we have prepared a comprehensive guide for How to choose the best AC in India. So let’s start to understand some basic ideas with Types of Air conditioners.
How to choose the best AC in India
Types of AC
This is the primary step you need to decide which type of AC is suitable for you. Currently, there are different types of Air Conditioners are available according to customer needs. Each type of AC has own Pros and Cons as under.
Window AC
Window AC is a single-unit product, where the compressor, condenser, and evaporator are located in the same box. It can only be installed in the window frame of the room or at an external wall hole. The compressor in this unit is located backside of the unit, which faces the outside open air. While its blower face is located on the front side of the unit which normally faces the room.
Pros:
- Ideal for small rooms
- Expel hot air from the room
- More economically priced than split AC
- Easy to maintain
- It does not require a gas refill in the compressor like a split Air conditioner during the relocation of the unit.
Cons:
- Noisier as compared to split Ac
- Consume high power as compared to split AC
- A 5-star Window Ac consumes as much electricity as a 1-star rated split AC.
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Split AC
As per the name, the AC is split into two parts, the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit. The compressor and the condenser are located in the outdoor unit. The indoor unit contains fans, cooling coils, and evaporator coils.
You can wall-mount or ceiling-mount the indoor unit while the outdoor unit is installed outer part of your room or home.
Pros:
- Good for small and larger space
- Due to the wide blower, it throws a high volume of cool air into the room.
- Do not require any window frame or hole for installation.
- Easily install anywhere in the room
- Produce less noise as compared to window AC
- Power consumption is low hence saving on electricity bills.
Cons:
- Bit expensive and have a higher price attached
- The gas refill in the compressor is a must after relocation
- Require professional support for installation.
Portable AC
Recently, these types of AC have grabbed the attention of Indian consumers. It does not require installation just like Air Cooler.
Pros:
- Do not require installation like Window and Split AC
- Can easily move from one room to another room
- Having flexibility if you are relocating frequently
Cons:
- Suitable only for small spaces
- Create maximum noise as compared to other types of AC
- We need to clean the drain water tank regularly.
Room Size and AC capacity
Once you have decided on the best suitable type of air conditioner then the next step is deciding the AC Capacity according to your room size and location. Because once you know your room size you can select the correct tonnage limit.
If you select the wrong Tonnage Capacity Ac, then you may be wasting your money in the form of the product cost as well as the electricity bill. If you select too much higher tonnage AC for your small or average-sized room, you will be going to pay a higher amount of electric bill every month. Alternatively, if you select lower Tonnage AC then you will not get sufficient cooling in your room which is again a waste of your money.
The capacity of Ac is decided by considering the room size area in square feet. The average ideal selection table is under for your reference.
| Room Size in Square Feet | Required AC Tonnage |
| Up to 80 sq. ft. | 0.8 Ton |
| 80 sq. ft. – 120 sq. ft. | 1 Ton |
| 120 sq. ft. – 190 sq. ft. | 1.5 Ton |
| 190 sq. ft. – 300 sq. ft. | 2 Ton |
| Larger Than 300 sq. ft. | Install multiple AC |
Additionally, you should also consider the following factors.
- The ceiling height of the room is more than 9.5 sq. ft.
- The room is located on the top floor of the building
- Sunlight falls directly on the room walls.
- The room has multiple and large window areas over 25 sq. ft.
- Live in an area where the normal summer temperature of the room is around 40 degrees Celsius or more.
For any of the above-given factors, you need to calculate an extra 30% of the total square feet area which you calculate by your room size.
Energy Efficient Ratings
Selecting an energy-efficient AC is a smarter choice for new buyers. As you know, the Air conditioner consumes a lot of electricity, therefore, it is a big concern for every user. To help buyers and understand the possible electricity consumption, each AC offers the company an Energy Efficient Rating given by the BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency).
This star rating totally bases on the ISEER value (Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The ISEER value shows how efficiently an appliance uses electricity. This means a High value of ISEER means less wastage of electricity.
If you choose an energy-efficient AC, then the product price would be higher. In this case, you can always choose based on the number of hours you are going to use AC. If your AC is used for just a couple of hours, then 3 stars rating AC is decent enough. But if your usage is round the clock, then a 5-star rating AC would be the best choice for you.
Condenser Coil Type
The condenser coil plays an important role in the cooling speed of the Air conditioner by converting the gas refrigerant to a liquid refrigerant. Currently, Copper or Aluminium types of condenser coils are used in the AC.
AC with aluminum coils is cheaper and more economical but you should go for a copper coils condenser. Because they are more heat transferable and high in performance. Also, they are less corrosive and have a high strength of coils. It’s easy to maintain and repairable. While the Aluminium coil has some durability issues and is not easily repairable. In case of coil damage, you need to change the entire coil.
So Always choose the Copper type condenser coil system, and double-check this query with the sales executive or product literature. This is a key point when choosing the best ac in India.
Inverter Technology
The Inverter AC and non-inverter AC is other big questionable point for the buyer. Inverter technology has several advantages. But again they are slightly more expensive than the non-inverter AC. Both split AC and Window AC are available with or without inverter technology.
Again the inverter Ac has a significant advantage as compared to non-inverter AC.
Let’s understand the main benefits of using Inverter AC
- Offer consistent cooling performance under extremely hot weather.
- Provide rapid cooling due to this technology
- Almost noise-free operation and use optimal power due to variable compressor speed.
- Duet to less load on your compressor increases the life span of AC
- This can save up to 20% of bills annually.
Inverter AC Vs. Non-Inverter AC
| Inverter Ac | Non-Inverter AC |
| Capable to run at variable speed | Operate at constant speed |
| Operate at variable tonnage as per requirement | Run at a constant tonnage. |
| Maintain room temperature constantly | Feel Colder when operating at full capacity. |
Additional feature
Along with all the above-mentioned features, you should also explore additional features of the AC which enhance your experience of cool refreshing air from the AC unit. Always consider these features while selecting the best AC
Anti-bacteria protection:
Many AC can remove harmful bacteria and micro-particles to keep the airflow healthy.
Dehumidification:
Try to buy Ac with this feature, especially in India. It can dehumidify the moisture present in the air to make it more suitable for the human body.
Noise level:
Always check whether the AC is quiet or not.
Sleep Mode:
This feature enables AC to turn ‘on’ and ‘off’ automatically during the night to maintain a uniform temperature in the room.
Dust filter:
It collects dust particles on the mesh to prevent them from evaporating at home.
Cooling and Heating:
Few AC models offer with inbuilt heater. Thus, you can stay cool in summer and warm during the winter season using the same unit.
Economic Mode:
It is a very useful feature in terms of power-saving by reducing undesired cooling inside the room.
Auto-off Timer:
The majority of AC models have the function to turn on an auto-sleep timer
Budget and Brand
The last step is to select the right brand according to your set budget. With a high budget, you get the latest technology like a 5-star inverter AC that lasts longer for a 5 to 10-year lifespan.
The same reputable brand products are costlier than others but in terms of service, they offer better customer satisfaction. So you decide according to your budget and usage
So make sure to remember the above-mentioned point before buying a new AC. This step helps to choose the best AC in India. Also, considering all these factors we have already listed some of the best AC in India right now.
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