Principle of Air Conditioner | Explain About AC

 

Working principle of air conditioner

You know the air conditioner machine cools the room but have you ever wondered how it works?

Did you know that a refrigerator and an AC work primarily the same way? The only difference is that a refrigerator functions in a small space where the air conditioner maintains a comfortable temperature in your room.

Since this is not a technical article, we will not go too deep into science and try to understand it lightly. The AC machine uses a chemical that converts from gas to liquid and liquid to gas continuously, and absorbs heat from the room, and releases it into the outside air.

An AC unit has three main components. These are compressor, condenser and evaporator. Usually, the evaporator is located in the indoor unit. The compressor and the condenser are situated in the outdoor unit.

At first the cooling gas or refrigerant arrives at the compressor as a low-pressure gas. The compressor’s job is to put a lot of pressure on this gas. At high pressure in the compressor, this gas becomes a high-pressure liquid, and its temperature rises.

The refrigerant then exits the compressor as a high-pressure hot liquid and goes into the condenser.

When passing through the condenser coil, the hot refrigerant fluid releases heat into the outside air. The fan connected to the outdoor unit helps to do this more efficiently. Then the expansion valve lowers the pressure of this fluid. As a result, now the refrigerant turns into a low-pressure cold liquid.

This low-pressure cold refrigerant then passes through the evaporator coil located within the indoor unit. When it passes through the evaporator coil, it absorbs heat from the air inside the room.

After absorbing heat from the air inside the room, this refrigerant again returns to the compressor. And this whole process is repeated.

This whole process repeats continuously in a cycle until the room temperature reaches a specific desired temperature.

When the thermostat detects that the room temperature has reached the desired temperature, it stops the whole operation. When the air inside the room is heated again, the thermostat restarts the procedure, and the entire process continues.

 

Different types of Air Conditioners

There are mainly two types of air conditioners available for use at home — Split AC and Window AC. Let’s look at its advantages and disadvantages.

1. Split AC

As the name suggests, a split AC consists of two units. One is the outer unit that is mounted on the outside wall. And the other is the indoor unit, which is mounted inside the room. An electric cable and copper pipes connect these two units.

The outer unit consists of a compressor and condenser on the other side indoor unit contains evaporator and blower.

At first refrigerant or cooling gas arrives at the compressor as a low-pressure cold gas, a compressor puts a lot of pressure on it. And the cooling gas comes out from the compressor as high pressure and high-temperature liquid and goes into the condenser. While passing through the condenser coil, cooling gas releases heat into the outside air. And it turns into a low-pressure cold gas.

After that, this cold gas is passed through the indoor unit’s evaporator. While passing through the evaporator, the blower circulates the air of the room through it. As a result, the air in the room cools down, and we feel cold.

A split AC is technically way more advanced as compared to a window AC. Split AC is much more energy-efficient and versatile. In terms of performance, a split AC is a lot more powerful than a window AC.

Recently, the top AC companies are focusing more on split ACs. More advanced technology is being regularly integrated into Split AC.

Advantages of split AC

• Split AC is much more energy-efficient.
• In the case of split AC, the compressor and condenser are located outside the room. That’s why Split AC makes much less noise.
• Various control options.
• Efficient cooling all around the room.
• Long-lasting trouble-free performance.
• Extremely easy to install.

Disadvantages of split AC

• A Split AC is expensive as compared to a window AC.

 

2. Window AC

A window AC consists of only one unit. In the case of window AC, the compressor and the blower reside within a single unit. The window AC is placed in a window frame. The blower’s side is toward the room, and the other side is in the open air outside.

You need to remember that window AC consumes much more electricity than split AC. So, even though you pay a lower price during the initial purchase, you have to incur much higher electricity costs consistently.

Also, in the case of window AC, Innovation is minimal, so control options are also limited.

Moreover, a window AC makes much more noise, and it is difficult to install.

Advantages of window AC

• Window AC is cheaper than split AC.

Disadvantages of window AC

• Consumes more electricity.
• Makes much more noise.
• Control options are limited.
• Not suitable for big space.

As we discussed, a split AC is much more effective and energy-efficient than a window AC. So when you are choosing an AC for your home, you should select a split AC from the above list of best air conditioners in India.

 

3. Portable AC

In case you want to buy an air conditioner, but don’t like having them stuck to a wall, then you can go for portable ACs. These are known for their high mobility. Before you buy one, you should know that portable ACs are not the same things as air coolers. In fact, portable ACs are entirely different in function, and they’re more efficient than air coolers.

The portable ACs are more efficient because they use a compressor and coolant to cool, while air coolers use water and evaporation. However, they still have a few drawbacks when compared to a conventional AC.

Advantages of Portable AC

• Can be moved from room to room.
• Very easy to install, as it only needs an exhaust vent for getting rid of the condensed air.
• Small size, which makes them cheaper.
• Can be a new home, as it’s easier to take off.
• Keeps the humidity down efficiently, with no performance drops.

Disadvantages of Portable AC

• Makes a lot of noise.
• Water from dehumidification needs to be discharged manually.
• Placement is a little restricted, needs to be near a place where it can be plugged in.

Recommended Reading: Split AC vs Window AC – Which one should you buy?

 

Different types of Compressors

The compressor is the most vital component of any AC. In fact, AC’s entire performance depends on the compressor. As such, you should understand how compressors work, to purchase an AC that can satisfy you.

The primary job of the compressor is to compress the refrigerator gas to high pressure, resulting in conversion to a high-pressure liquid at a high temperature. Once this liquid passes through the condenser coils, they take out the heat from the liquid and release it into the surroundings.

Although the pressure remains high, the expansion valve reduces this pressure and converts the liquid into gas. This gas subsequently passes through the evaporator coils. The evaporator coils then absorb the heat from the room and cool down the room.

There are two types of compressors you’ll see in most air conditioners. Let’s have a closer look at them.

1. Reciprocating compressor

The mechanism of the engine is akin to that of a car engine. In other words, it works on the concept of cylinders and pistons. The piston moves in a back and forth motion, compressing and releasing the gas.

Advantages of Reciprocating compressor

• Easy to maintain, as the piston and shaft mechanism, is common and easily disassembled.
• Several piston and cylinder arrangements can be set within the compressor, leading to the production of extremely high pressure.

Disadvantages of Reciprocating compressor

• Noise and vibration is higher compared to other compressors. That is because the compressor consists of multiple moving mechanical elements inside.
• The air comes out at a high temperature.

 

2. Rotary Compressor

Rotary compressors have two rotors that turn in opposite directions. The air is trapped in-between, causing compression to occur.

Advantages of Rotary Compressor

• Low noise emission, as the rotating sections in the rotary compressor, contain minimal moving parts. This results in considerably lesser noise and vibration while operating.
• Ideal for businesses and industrial areas, because rotary compressors can operate under much more extensive power ranges and pressures.

Disadvantages of Rotary Compressor

• Not recommended for use at home. AC usage at home is periodic and not regular. These work better with continued use and also last longer as a result.
• Cost more in comparison to reciprocatory compressors.

 

Inverter AC Vs Non-Inverter AC

You must have heard about the Inverter AC again and again. What is an Inverter AC? Many people think that Inverter AC may run on home inverter during a power cut. That is not the case at all. Home inverter or power cut has nothing to do with inverter AC. An inverter AC unit operates based on inverter technology, so they are called inverter AC. This type of air conditioner helps to save a lot of electricity.

Let us now discuss what inverter technology is, how it works, where it is different from regular AC, and what its benefits are.

In the case of a traditional non-inverter air conditioner, the compressor starts to run at full speed when the switch is turned on. The compressor continues at full speed until the temperature of the room reaches a specific desired temperature. The compressor shuts off when the room temperature reaches the desired temperature. When the room temperature rises again, the compressor starts again at full speed.

There are two options for an ordinary air conditioner. Either the compressor will be running at full speed or entirely off. As long as the AC is running, the compressor also goes “On” and “Off” again and again.

The moment the compressor is turned on, it consumes the maximum level of electricity. Therefore, because of frequent “On” and “Off”, a conventional compressor consumes much more power.

In the case of the inverter AC the compressor never shuts off, it is always running. Now you may be wondering if the compressor is continually running, electricity consumption will be much higher, right?

But it is the opposite. In this case, the power consumption will be much less. Let’s try to understand the matter. When you turn on the inverter AC, the compressor continues at full speed until the room temperature reaches the desired temperature.

But even after reaching the desired temperature, the compressor does not shut down, it operates at very low speeds and retains the desired temperature of the room. Unlike an ordinary air conditioner, the compressor does not turn “On” and “Off” repeatedly.

As we have already discussed, the moment the compressor turns on, it consumes the maximum level of electricity. In this case, since the compressor does not turn “On” and “Off” repeatedly, the consumption of power is much lower as compared to ordinary air conditioners.

It’s like driving a car. You never turn on and off the engine frequently. When you need more speed, you press the accelerator. Again when you need to go slow, you release the accelerator.
Therefore, you spend the fuel according to your needs. If you had to turn the engine “On” and “Off” repeatedly, the fuel consumption would have been much higher.

So the difference between an inverter AC with a regular AC is that the first one can automatically adjust the compressor speed as per requirements. So, in this case, the wastage of power is very less. But the second one cannot modify the motor speed. Therefore, the power consumption is much higher. Hopefully, the concept is now clear to you.

Considering all the benefits of an inverter AC, we suggest you select a model with inverter compressor from the above list of best air conditioners in India.

Recommended Reading: What is Inverter AC?

 

Copper Coil vs Aluminium Coil

The working principle of an AC is mainly based on three types of technologies such as compression, condensation, and evaporation. The most crucial element for these three types of work is refrigerant. It is a chemical that continually converted from gas to liquid and from liquid to gas. By changing state, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the room and releases it into the outside air and cools the air inside the room.

The entire process of heat transfer mentioned above occurs within the coil. Therefore, the coil plays a vital role in an AC unit. There are two kinds of coils that come with an AC.

1. Copper Coil

Copper coils are mostly available in high-level ACs, and they’re a little expensive. But the increased price is worth it, as these coils can give some significant advantages.

Advantages of Copper Coil

• Can transfer heat efficiently.
• It’s more durable and lasts long.
• It can be repaired and reused.
• Copper is corrosion resistant.
• Needs less maintenance.

Disadvantages of Copper Coil

• Copper coils are expensive.
• Not very flexible.

 

2. Aluminium Coil

The next best thing to copper coils is aluminum coils. These coils are similar to their copper counterparts, but not as good. They do have some advantages, though.

Advantages of Copper Coil

• It’s much cheaper than copper and works almost as good.
• More flexibility can be changed to any shape.

Disadvantages of Copper Coil

• Not very durable needs to be replaced once damaged.
• Needs higher maintenance.
• Heat transfer isn’t as efficient when compared to copper.
• Has higher chances of corrosion.

 

Various types of refrigerants (Coolant)

A coolant is something you occasionally hear about when your AC stops delivering cold air and you go to get it checked.

The coolant, which is also known as the refrigerant, is a vital part of machines that use cold air. Their primary function when it comes to air conditioning is to absorb the heat from the room and deliver it outside. As a result of the reduction of heat, the air in the room becomes cool.

Coolants originally come in gaseous form. The compressor converts this gas with high pressure and turns it into a liquid. Although, at such extreme pressures, the fluid also gains a very high temperature.

The liquid then passes through the condenser coils, where its temperature goes down significantly. The pressure, however, remains high. This is taken care of by releasing the cold liquid through an expansion valve, where the AC unit reduces the pressure.

The resulting liquid goes on to travel through the evaporator tubes/coils. Afterwards, it absorbs the heat within the room and eliminates it, subsequently making the room cold. Besides, the fans in the AC unit help in sustaining the temperature as well.

After the absorption of the heat, the liquid evaporates and turns into a gas again. The same process continues on, repeating over and over. Indeed, this is how an AC works. As you can see, the refrigerant is a vital component in the operation of an AC.

Here we show a summary of the specific refrigerants used in an AC.

Refrigerants	Global Warming Potential	Ozone Depletion Potential

R 410A	2088	None
R 32	675	None
R 22	1810	Medium
R 134A	1430	None
R 290	3	None
R 600A	3	None

As you might have noticed, each of those refrigerants has some effect on the atmosphere. That is because each of them is based on various types of compounds. There is a brief description of those compounds below.

1. Chlorofluorocarbons – CFC

These were the first coolants used in AC units all around the globe. Also known as R12 refrigerants, they were quite effective. However, they played a significant role in the depletion of the ozone layer in the atmosphere. This role led to the discontinuance of the production of this R12 refrigerant. Presently, there’s no AC in the world that uses this kind of coolant.

 

2. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons – HCFC

Following the environmental concerns with the CFCs, the production of HCFCs became mainstream, instead. This refrigerant, known as R22, is the most common coolant used in AC units of India today. However, this coolant isn’t eco-friendly enough either. Hence, these coolants will likely be redundant by the next 4 to 5 years.

This is why you should be very cautious when choosing your AC. If the manual indicates the use of R22 as the coolant, we advise you not to buy that AC because it is an out-dated one. Though most of the ACs in India use this, it won’t be a good decision to do so as well, in the long run.

 

3. Hydrofluorocarbons – HFC

In contrast to the R22 coolant, the HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer. Hence, they are relatively friendly to the environment. There are three types of HFCs in use today; R410A, R32, and R134.

The majority of the world no longer uses HFCFs and has already moved over to a more environment-friendly refrigerant, the hydrocarbons. India isn’t far from these developing nations either and has plans to start utilizing the hydrofluorocarbons in the coming years.

 

4. Hydrocarbons – HC

The hunt for the most environment-friendly coolant has to lead the world to HCs. AC manufacturing companies all around the world today use R290 (Propane) and R600A (Iso-Butane) as refrigerants. They have zero effect on the ozone layer. With that in mind, they’ve got another name; Green Refrigerants.

The inverter AC uses these types of coolants. Research is ongoing to identify the most environment-friendly refrigerant. Until they come up with a better coolant, the R290 and R600A coolants will be the best for the people and earth itself.

Though these factors might not bother you, they have a profound effect on how your life will turn out to be in the coming years. Not to mention, every person in the world has a duty towards upholding the sanctity of the environment.

If not for yourself, you still need to consider what sort of world you’re leaving for your children to live in. Little things such as picking the right coolant for your AC and refrigerator can play a vital part in this endeavour.

It’s also something of note that most of the best ACs in India are the ones who will have eco-friendly coolants. We’ve made our list while making sure each of them uses an efficient refrigerant that cools well without damaging the environment.

 

Star Ratings, EER, CoP, ISEER

Let us now take a look at the factors influencing the efficiency of the AC units and the idea of star ratings.

1. Energy Efficiency Ratio

The EER is an essential ratio that differentiates between AC units. Scientifically speaking, EER is the amount of heat removed per hour divided by the amount of power consumed.

Hence, EER = BTU/hr/Watt.

On another note, BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. 1 BTU is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a pound of water by 1° F.

The higher the EER is, the better the performance will be. That is because the air conditioner removes more heat per hour per unit of power consumed. With that in mind, you can see that an AC with a higher EER is much more efficient.

 

2. Co-efficient of Performance: (CoP)

It would be best if you did some basic mathematical calculations to get CoP. To understand the concept of CoP, you should know the relation between BTU and KW hr.

1 KW her = 3412 BTU. In other words, 1 KW is 3412 BTU/hr. Therefore, 1 W = 3.412 BTU/hr.

So, COP is the amount of heat removed by the AC in Watts, divided by the power consumption in Watts. As such, CoP doesn’t have any units. The higher the CoP is, the more efficient the AC unit is. The relation between EER and Cop is;

EER = 3.412 X CoP

 

3. Star Ratings

The Star Ratings tie in with the EER, and each Star Rating has a set amount of Maximum and Minimum EER with the amount increasing from 1 Star to 5 Star. Therefore, the higher the Star Rating, the more EER you get. Each year has fixed Ratings within specific periods.

Evidently, the higher the Star rating of an AC is, the more energy will be saved. The EER is included on the same label of Star Ratings, and every manufacturer is obligated to provide the information. Although the price will rise with the number of Star Ratings, you will still save much more money in the long run.

 

4. Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER)

To understand ISEER, you should understand what SEER is first.

The efficiency of an AC depends on both the internal and external temperature. These temperatures, however, vary constantly throughout the year. In winters, these temperatures are much lower in comparison to the summer months.

Furthermore, the usage of the ACs in the winter seasons is far less than that of summer. This is the basic concept of SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), and it is used worldwide to determine how energy efficient an AC is.

As the weather is different in every country of the world, there are no universally accepted numbers for SEER. Each country has its own modified version of SEER. In the same way, India has it’s own called ISEER, which stands for Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.

The basic idea of EER and ISEER is the same, with the only difference being the seasonal factoring. In other words, ISEER is more Indian-specific.

Let’s talk about some of the essential terminologies used with this ratio and what they indicate. There are a lot of these terminologies, so you must understand them.

First off, you have the Cooling Seasonal Energy Consumption (CSEC). This term describes the total amount of energy consumed by the AC unit while it’s operating.

The next term you’ll see is the Cooling Seasonal Total Load (CSTL). CSTL is an estimate of the total amount of heat removed by the AC while it operates.

Now, with these terms in mind, ISEER is determined. It is the total amount of heat removed to the total amount of energy consumed. To put it simply; ISEER = CSTL/CSEC. ISEER is also included in the Star Rating label.

These are all the most important things to consider when you’re looking through your choices of the best AC in India you find.

While we’re still on the subject of unique terms for ACs, there are some more of them that you’ll come across frequently. Understanding these terms can give you more of an edge when you’re getting an air conditioner. However, you must understand what we talked about earlier.

Let’s touch over each of these terms. First, you have Rated Cooling Capacity. The rated cooling capacity of an AC is ‘a ton’. This “ton” equals to 12000 BTU per hour.

Secondly, there is another term called “Maximum Cooling Capacity“. This capacity is measured in tons. For instance, a 2-ton AC can remove 24000BTU of heat per hour. It would be best if you don’t get an oversized AC, as that can impact performance.

There are also terms that tell you some things about the power input of the AC.

The number “Rated Power Input“, which is on the star rating label, means the power consumption of the AC in Watts when it runs at 100% load. For example, a 1.5 AC will consume about 1500 Watts each hour. Therefore, every AC will consume about 1.5 to 2 units per hour.

That is not constant for continuous use, though. If you use your AC for 3 hours, then the consumption can’t be determined by multiplying 4 with 1.5 or 2. That is because the compressor switches on and off at regular intervals to save energy. Therefore, 4 hours of consumption will still be less.

Moving on, and with the same concept in mind, there is the “Half Power Input“. It is the power consumption in Watts when the AC is running at 50% of its load.

Lastly, there is the “Maximum Power Input“. This is the power consumption when the AC runs at maximum capacity. This figure differs from the Rated Power Input. That is because of the tolerance of +/ – 5% allowed by BEE. Even a 1.2 ton AC might get labeled as 1 ton.

 

What is the tonnage of an AC?

When you have browsed our list of best air conditioners in India, you have noticed that AC capacities are expressed with tonnage such as 1 ton, 1.5 ton, 2 ton, etc. You know, it can’t be the weight of an AC. So what is it?

It is a term that expresses how much heat an AC unit can remove from a room in an hour. British thermal unit (BTU) is a unit of measuring heat. A 1 ton AC can remove 12000 BTU of heat from a room in an hour.

One ton capacity is equal to the amount of heat required (1200×24 = 288,000 BTU) to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours. Simply put, a 1-ton capacity AC can melt 1 ton of ice in 24 hours.

 

Electricity usage of an Air Conditioner

An AC is a large appliance and runs continuously over the day. There are a few factors that will give you an idea about how much power an AC will use. Let’s take a look at these factors.

The first thing you should consider is, of course, the star rating. Star rating provides a relatively accurate indication of the energy efficiency of an AC. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency gives a product an appropriate star rating based on many important factors.

The ratings range from 1 to 5, where a higher star number means there is more energy efficiency in the product. For instance, a 5 star AC can give you better power savings, with similar if not better performance than a 4 star AC. Of course, the ACs with more stars are generally more expensive. But if you want to save some electricity bills, you should at least get a 4 star AC.

After the star rating, the thing you should consider next is the tonnage. The tonnage has a significant impact on the power consumption of an AC. The higher this tonnage is, the more the power consumption. For instance, an AC with a 1-ton capacity consumes half the electricity to that of an AC with 2-ton capacity.

So, make sure you select the capacity of the AC based on the size of your room. Getting it right is essential, as an AC with less capacity won’t cool your room enough while one with too much capacity will just add up to your electricity bill unnecessarily.

To get an idea about what capacity you should get with an AC, you can look into the AC Capacity portion below.

A small thing that gets overlooked often is how you use the AC. Your room needs to be airtight for the AC to function properly. If the room isn’t airtight or the door gets opened often, then your AC will be forced to cool more than it needs to, thus increasing the power bill.

Moving on, the location also plays a role in how much electricity the air conditioner consumes. The weather varies in different parts of India. For instance, in Delhi or Ahmedabad on a sunny day, the temperature rises very high, and the humidity remains very low.

On the other hand, in Mumbai or Kolkata, the temperature does not rise much, but the humidity remains very high. So even if the temperature is not high, there is a feeling of discomfort for the humidity.

Your AC will perform differently in both of these cases. In the case of the first situation, your AC would focus on cooling down the room, while in the second one, it would be to reduce the humidity. In the first case, the compressor will have to do more work, resulting in higher power consumption.

Now, the color of your room can also be a factor in power consumption. It may not seem like it, but there is a slight difference in performance. Darker colors generally absorb more heat, so cooling down a room with dark colors would take longer. In contrast, light colours absorb less heat and hence reduce the amount of time an AC needs to cool the room.

So in the case of light color, the AC can cool down the room quickly, which can also reduce the power consumption.

Lastly, one more thing that factors into the power consumption is the number of people. The more people you have in the room, the more heat will be emitted. For example, if there are 2 to 3 people in a 150 sq ft room, then a 1.5 ton AC is enough. But if there is a coaching class in the same place where there are 10 to 12 students, then a 2 ton AC will be needed to cool the room properly.

That’s it for all the significant features that will affect your ACs energy consumption. There might be slight increases in power consumption if there are additional features, but these factors stay consistent in the majority of AC.

 

Things to consider before buying the Best Air Conditioners

 

1. AC size and capacity

Choosing the right size is very important when buying an AC. An over-sized AC will cool down the room very quickly. But in that case, the power consumption will be unnecessarily much higher.

On the other hand, if you select a size that is less than what is needed, the room will not cool down properly. There will be extra pressure on the compressor. Power consumption will also be much higher. You need to select AC capacity depending on your room size.

While you measure the size of the room, there are also a few more things to consider. To begin with, the AC will interact with the room differently based on where you live. The temperature varies according to the location. When the temperature in Delhi rises to 45° C during the hot summer, the temperature in Kolkata is around 37° C at the same time. If you live in a place where the temperature rises too high in the summer, then you should select a high capacity AC.

The location of the room where you want to install the AC in is also significant. The change will be small, but still noticeable. If your room is located on the top floor or if there is direct sunlight on the roof, then the room will be much hotter. Similarly, if direct sunlight is applied to any wall of a room, the room will be much hot. In this case, you should select a high capacity AC.

Now, let’s see what the AC capacity should look like depending on the room size.

Room size	AC capacity
Upto 80 Sq Ft.	0.75 ton.
80 to 120 Sq Ft.	1 ton.
120 to 180 Sq Ft.	1.5 ton.
180 to 300 Sq Ft.	2 ton.

 

2. Power Consumption

As we have discussed earlier, there are a lot of factors which affect the power consumption of the AC. The best ACs generally perform well and have the least energy consumption. To get higher energy savings, you should first consider getting a Split AC with an inverter compressor. It would be best if you got an AC that doesn’t have too much power consumption, as you’d notice a massive spike in electricity bills during summer seasons, otherwise.

 

3. Inverter technology

An AC that has inverter technology will provide you with more control and flexibility over one without. You’ll be able to change the cooling power of the AC, so if you need any light cooling, you won’t be wasting electricity by running the AC at full capacity.

 

4. Air filters

Unless you have something in your home that cleans out the air, there’s a chance that that air has traces of pollutants in it. These pollutants can end up making you sick. Having a good AC can help in this regard, as they have air filters installed which increase the quality of the air. The best ACs can clean out bacteria, dust, pollens, and other pollutants from the air, making it healthy to breathe.

It would help if you went for air conditioners that have more than one filter, as there won’t be much of an increase in price because of these. Just make sure you clean the filters out every once in a while, as they can both positively and negatively affect the AC’s efficiency.

 

5. Cooling Speed

Various factors determine the cooling speed. That includes the weather, the location of the house and room, the material of the condenser coils, etc. These are just some of the most important things that affect its cooling performance.

AC’s type and features also affect the quality of the cooling. If you get an AC after considering these factors, you should have excellent cooling performance. Just make sure your room stays airtight when the AC is running. If you want really fast cooling, make sure the AC has some kind of turbo mode specifically designed to speed up cooling.

However, to keep up the performance, you must maintain the AC properly and deal with any problems that arise.

Additionally, if you live in a coastal area, you should make sure the AC has a Gold Fin condenser, which will help keep corrosion down.

 

7. Dehumidification

Humidity can be a huge problem as it can make you feel uncomfortable and harm your health. It can even affect your building. In fact, even air-conditioned places have high humidity levels.

Fortunately, brands have started to add dehumidifiers to the most recent ACs. These dehumidifiers can remove the moisture in the air and make the humidity lower and more bearable.

 

8. Noise Level

ACs generally produce a lot of noise, so if you don’t want to be bothered by constant sounds from your air conditioner, you should make sure that the AC has good quality components. For instance, a compressor and motor can make a significant impact on noise production. There’s also an indication of the noise level somewhere on the box or in the product specifications.

For the least amount of noise, you should get the best Split AC as it keeps the most noise-making components outside of the room.

 

9. Control options

Most ACs allows the user a lot of control over their speed. Having such control can not only give you the ability to make the cooling suit your needs to be comfortable but also can let you save up on electricity bills. However, to have maximum control over the operation of your AC, you should make sure that the AC comes with an inverter.

 

10. Timer

A timer is a handy feature. You can use it during sleep when you aren’t able to control the AC by yourself. You can just set the timer to a certain amount of time before bedtime. Afterward, the AC will automatically turn itself off once it reaches that timer.

 

11. Brand

Not only is your AC going to be a large purchase, but it’s also going to be frequently running, which might cause it to run into problems. As such, if you get an AC from a good brand, you’ll have the assurance for good customer service if you want to get your AC repaired or put it through maintenance. Besides, you won’t be running into a lot of problems with such an AC anyway, as most ACs from good brands are very durable.

 

11. Price

An AC itself is an expensive purchase, as it has a lot of complicated mechanisms and expensive components. Don’t buy an AC merely based on the initial price. If you do so, you might be at a loss if the AC wastes too much power and runs into various problems. The best air conditioners might seem expensive, but that’s only about the initial price, they sav you a lot of money and trouble in the long run.

 

12. Warranty

It’s generally easy to fix AC problems on your own. However, sometimes the AC might run into huge problems and stop working completely. Such might not occur often, but if it does, it will cost you a lot to get it fixed, unless you have a warranty. So make sure the warranty of your purchase is going to last a significantly long time.

 

Best Air Conditioner (AC) Brands in India

1. LG

LG is a South Korean company and one of the world’s largest electronic good manufacturers. Their extensive range of ACs contains some of the best air conditioners in India till the present day.

 

2. Daikin

Daikin is a Japanese air conditioning manufacturer. It offers some of the best split air conditioners in the Indian market.

 

3. Carrier

Carrier India is one of the leaders in the production of air conditioning, washing machines and refrigerators in India. They offer a wide range of affordable high-performance ACs with a manufacturing facility located in Haryana.

 

4. Voltas

Tata Voltas produces some of the best split ACs and is one of the leading cooling appliance brands in India. Voltas Limited is a collaboration between Tata and Volkart. Specializing in air conditioning and other cooling products, its also among India’s most trusted brands.

 

5. Hitachi

Air Conditioners are among Hitachi’s primary products, alongside other electronic goods like LCD projectors, washing machines, and refrigerators. Designed with the latest technology, their AC’s provide excellent efficiency and superior comfort.

 

6. Panasonic

Panasonic is one of the most trusted brands around the globe when it comes to electronic things for the home. They’ve made some of the best TVs in the Indian market. Their excellence stands when it comes to ACs as well. Expect guaranteed durability, performance, and efficiency when you use Panasonic air conditioners.

 

7. Blue Star

Blue Star is known for its powerful split air conditioners, which are packed with features and also very low on electricity bills.

 

8. Whirlpool

Whirlpool is an expert with home appliances like refrigerators and washing machines. They produce high-quality air conditioners as well. Likewise, their air conditioners are just as well worth the money as the previously mentioned products are. They have some of the most innovative AC designs and are still energy-efficient.

 

Best Air Conditioners (AC) in India – Frequently asked questions

1. Can I buy an AC online?

You can. There are websites like Amazon that emphasize customer satisfaction and safety. You will find the ACs at discounted prices, and refunds are available if the products are defective.

To sum it up, there’s absolutely no harm in purchasing air conditioners online, especially from reputed eCommerce platforms. You can also lookup reviews on those sites, making it easier for you to buy the best air conditioner for yourself.

 

2. Do I need a stabilizer for the air conditioner?

Each AC has a voltage operating limit. If you look at the printing on the AC label, you’ll find the range. We advise you to check if the area you live in has voltage fluctuations beyond the limits of your AC.

In the case that are such voltage fluctuations, it’d be best for you to invest in a stabilizer for your AC. It will protect your air conditioner from voltage fluctuations. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry. A stabilizer will cost much less than your AC. Start using one so that you no longer have to worry about voltage fluctuations.

 

3. What is a Dual Inverter AC?

Dual Inverter Compressors are present in some of LG’s ACs. As the name suggests, these provide twice the efficiency over a single inverter AC.

With this technology, the AC creates far less noise and provides higher quality cooling. Despite cooling faster, it also ensures that the compressors run at low speeds most of the time. Therefore, you get to save a lot of electricity.

 

4. Which brand should I buy?

There is a large number of AC brands within the market. Picking them is a matter of personal preference. However, our guide will help you with what to look for when you’re about to buy an AC. Keep an eye out for the energy-efficiency of the AC and how eco-friendly it is. Certain brands also have some distinctive features that might suit your needs better than others.

Make sure that to get the right balance between costs and the actual value. Once you consider all three aspects, you should go for inverter AC units, which are the most efficient. If you prefer international brands, then Japanese brands like Daikin and Panasonic, or brands like LG and Whirlpool are a good idea. Suppose you want a brand that focuses mainly on Indian conditions. In that case, Voltas and Godrej are some great choices.

 

5. Is it OK to get an AC with an Aluminium Condenser?

The most common metals used to manufacture condenser tubes are Copper and Aluminium. Both of these metals have their own advantages and disadvantages. Copper has a higher heat transfer coefficient compared to Aluminium.

On the other hand, Aluminium is far more malleable and relatively inexpensive. However, they require higher maintenance. You can still go for Aluminium, but Copper is the most widely accepted choice. Aluminum condensers aren’t bad either.

 

6. What are the Blue Fins and Gold Fins?

You might’ve heard those terms when you were looking around to get an AC. Dealing with corrosion is their primary objective. In fact, corrosion is the main enemy of air conditioners. Eventually, condenser tubes suffer from corrosion and need to be replaced or repaired.

To tackle this problem, manufacturers use Blue Fin or Gold Fin technology, where they paint condenser tubes with special anti-corrosive paint. As a result, the life of the AC gets significant improvement. The only distinction between these two technologies is that Gold Fins do not rust easily, further enhancing AC durability.

Although, this technology costs more than its Blue Fin counterpart. Both of them have their own merits and demerits. It is up to you to choose by considering all aspects.

 

7. What is a dehumidifier in an AC?

Humidity can make you feel lethargic. Especially so during warm summer days and nights. Even air-conditioned homes have a high humidity level sometimes. Not only will the humidity make you feel uncomfortable, but it will also harm your health and even your building.

For the user’s protection, some air conditioning units have dehumidifiers, which remove the moisture in the air. As a result, the humidity is lower and on a more comfortable level.

 

8. Which condenser is better for coastal areas?

Corrosion will be the primary concern when you’re in a coastal area and want to make your AC last a long time. For instance, Copper is an excellent material for manufacturing condenser coils. However, it is also the only metal that falls prey to formicary corrosion.

In fact, this corrosion isn’t even visible to the naked eye. In coastal areas, chances of this corrosion are much higher with the excess humidity. Sometimes, with AC units having copper coils and aluminium fins, galvanic corrosion can occur. As such, it’s best to have a single metal for the condenser tubes and fins.

Microchannel condenser coils, along with Blue Fin or Gold Fin coatings on the condenser coils are the best for use in coastal regions.

 

9. Can the AC keep the air clean?

We know that indoor air contains a lot of dust. This dust and bacteria can cause breathing problems. To get rid of this dust, you typically keep the windows and doors open to ensure air circulation. However, operating an AC means you have to close those windows and doors. As a result, you’d be inhaling the same air.

The AC units have dust and bacterial filters which prevent these particles from recirculating. The newest ACs also feature air purifiers. Therefore, you will have clean and pure air to breathe. You will see evidence of the AC helping in this regard when you remove the filters to clean them.

 

10. What is the Mosquito Away technology in some ACs?

The Mosquito Away technology is available in most of LG’s newest ACs. This technology uses ultrasonic sound to keep away mosquitoes. The AC units produce this sound, which is beyond the healing power of humans. However, it works on mosquitoes and gets them away. This technology is available in most of LG’s other products as well, like their TVs and phones.

 

Conclusion

We’ve included everything you’ll need to get the best air conditioner to help you remain cool and dehumidified during any season. You’ll be more than satisfied if you pick an AC from our list, as they’re the newest and more powerful. Otherwise, our comprehensive buying guide should let you get the best AC for yourself.

We hope you have an excellent cooling experience and find just the AC you like.