AC buying Guide: How to choose the right AC for your budget

With temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius, ACs have become a necessity during summer. To fulfil the demand of different classes existing in India, the AC companies are coming up with evolved technologies and affordable options so that a large number of people can avail themselves of them.

If you are planning to buy an AC for yourself, you can check out this article.

ACs are broadly divided into two parts, i.e., window ACs and split ACs.

Window ACs are cheaper and comparatively less efficient than the split ones. They are easier to install. However, split ACs provide better cooling and less noise. And they are comparatively modern and easier to use.

In terms of functionality, split ACs can be distinguished into two parts: conventional or non-inverter split ACs and inverter split ACs. The latter one provides better efficiency.

AC cooling capacity > Area covered > Price

0.8 ton Up to 100 sq. ft. starts from ~ Rs 25,000

1 ton Up to 125 sq. ft Starts from ~ Rs 28,000

1.5 tons Up to 250 sq. ft. starts from ~ Rs 35,000

2 tons Up to 400 sq. ft. starts from ~ Rs 40,000

The bigger the AC, the more cooling it can provide.

Then comes the power consumption criteria: It can be determined by BEE star rating

BEE star rating Power saving

Rating Min. Max

1 star 2.7 3.09

2 star 3.1 3.39

3 stars 3.4 3.69

4 stars 3.7 3.99

5 star >=4.0

BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) rates ACs in India. A five-star AC is more energy efficient than a three- or two-star one. This test takes place by setting the temperature of the AC at 24 degrees Celsius, and if the AC can save from 2.7 kWh to 3.09 kWh, it gets a one-star rating, and a five-star AC is the most power-efficient.

Power consumption

Determining the power consumption of an AC depends on multiple factors like room temperature, operational hours, required temperature, power rate, and many others.

Due to the sun’s presence, the AC consumes more power during the daytime, and the AC does not need to do much work at night.

Many consumers noticed that a 1-ton AC can consume 1.5 units of energy per hour, making it 18 units if run for 12 hours and 540 units a month. Considering an average price of Rs 6 per unit of electricity, the bill will be around 3,500 rupees per month. And if there are multiple ACs, the bill will be multiplied.

In a Nutshell:

There is no ideal AC for everyone. It can be a very subjective view as to which one fulfils needs. For those who have a small space and don't require a heavy-duty device, window ACs are best suited. Meanwhile, if you are looking for advanced features with greater efficiency, split ACs are for you. There are many other differentiations to gauge and compare. Many brands offer ACs in India with different functions for different price ranges. Choose the AC that best suits your needs and fits within your budget.