Junglee How To: Buy an Air Conditioner
- How does an air conditioner work?
- What is tonnage and why is it important?
- Which one to choose- window air conditioner or split air conditioner?
- Which type of air conditioners make the least noise?
- How to choose an energy efficient air conditioner?
- Which are the popular air conditioner models on Junglee?
- What are the other technical terms that I need to understand when buying an air conditioner?
- What is an inverter AC? What are its pros and cons?
|
|
They are one of the most popular types of air conditioners in India, across all segments of the market. A window AC needs to be installed in a window sill and exhausts warm air outside. Window units usually require some kind of installation to support the weight, such as a wooden plank or a metal frame. If you are limited by budgetary constraints, it is a good idea to choose a window AC because you will get more value for money with a window AC. Advantages 1)It comes as a single unit; therefore, it is easier to install or remove 2)It is more affordable and costs lesser than a split air conditioner 3)It is more convenient for people who need to change homes frequently
Disdvantages 1) Since it is installed on the window sill, it blocks the window 2) It can only be used if you have a window, else you will need to renovate your room See All in Window Air Conditioners
|
|
|
|
A split air conditioner, as the name suggests, consists of two units, an outer unit and an inner unit. The outer unit is installed out of the house and contains the compressor, while the inner unit, called the blower, is installed inside the room and has an air outlet unit that throws out cold air. A split AC is more aesthetically pleasing than a window AC and can easily be used for cooling large spaces such as an office or a commercial space. Advantages 1) A split air conditioner is less noisy as compared to other varieties as the condenser unit is placed outside 2) It does not require to be installed in a window so it can be used in a room with no windows 3) A split AC looks more aesthetic and can blend well with the decor of the room
Disdvantages 1) It is usually more expensive than a window air conditioner 2) Installation of a split air conditioner is more complex and may cost more 3) Trouble shooting a split AC may not be as simple as fixing a window AC Now that you have figured out which type of air conditioner most suits your requirements, it's important to consider other important points before you make a purchase. See All in Split Air Conditioners
|
Q 1. How does an air conditioner work?
A. Air conditioners are designed to cool your home by moving heat from inside your home to the outside. It does this by cooling the air and blowing it inside the home. And, how does it cool the air? The air is cooled when it comes in contact with the evaporator coil, which is filled with a specially designed liquid called refrigerant. Refrigerant is special in that it absorbs the heat from air and changes its form from liquid to gas. This hot gas is pumped outside the house to another set of coil (called condenser) that transforms it back into liquid. It is interesting to note that refrigerators also cool in the same manner, although on a smaller scale.
Q 2. What is tonnage and why is it important?
A. Air conditioners are designed to cool your home by moving heat from inside your home to the outside. It does this by cooling the air and blowing it inside the home. And, how does it cool the air? The air is cooled when it comes in contact with the evaporator coil, which is filled with a specially designed liquid called refrigerant. Refrigerant is special in that it absorbs the heat from air and changes its form from liquid to gas. This hot gas is pumped outside the house to another set of coil (called condenser) that transforms it back into liquid. It is interesting to note that refrigerators also cool in the same manner, although on a smaller scale.
The most important thing to remember when buying an air conditioner is to choose one that has the right power. An over-sized air conditioner might cool the room faster but will result in energy wastage. It will also not be able to remove humidity from the room properly. An under-powered air conditioner, on the other hand, will have to work extra hard, and will still not be able to cool the room efficiently. Refer the table to select the tonnage of the AC based on your room size:
| Room (in sq. ft.) | Recommended Tonnage |
| Up to 120 | Up to 0.75 |
| 120 - 150 | Up to 1 |
| 151 - 250 | Up to 1.5 |
| 251 - 400 | 2 or above |
Q 3. Which one to choose- window air conditioner or split air conditioner?
These are the two most popular types of air conditioners that you will find in the market. And, almost every buyer faces the dilemma on which AC to go for- window or split. We have simplified the entire process for you by identifying the advantages and disadvantages of both types of air conditioners.
Q 4. Which type of air conditioners make the least noise?
Air conditioners have improved over the years and are generally not as noisy as they were a decade ago. But, as a general rule, split air conditioners are quieter than window air conditioners. So, if you are a light sleeper or if noise is a big concern for you, a split AC is your best bet.
Q 5. How to choose an energy efficient air conditioner?
Energy efficiency is another important factor to consider when buying an air conditioner, as it can help you cut down your electricity bills significantly, apart from being more environment-friendly. Bureau of Energy Efficiency has made it very simple for users to identify how energy efficient their appliance is. All appliances are given a star rating of 1 to 5. 5 stars mean most efficient, so always go for an AC that has more stars. And, in case you are wondering whether a window or a split AC uses less energy, let us put the record straight- both of them require the same amount of energy.
Air conditioners with more stars generally cost more, but if you look at long term savings, you will realize that it is better to choose an air conditioner with more stars, almost always.
Q 6. Which are the popular air conditioner models on Junglee?
The top 5 air conditioners on Junglee include Electrolux SN23 (0.80 Ton), Godrej Split AC 1T 3 Star Champagne GSC12FC3WMZ, Electrolux 1.5 Ton SP53.CD1.CC Split Air Conditioner - White, LG 1.5 Tons - LWA5WR2D Window AC (White) and Electrolux M Series SM53CD1-CC 1.5 Ton Split Air Conditioner.
Q 7. What are the other technical terms that I need to understand when buying an air conditioner?
BTU:The British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the unit of measuring energy. It measures the amount of heat an air conditioner can remove. The rule of thumb is, the higher the BTU, the better is the performance.
Compressor:A compressor is an electric pump that works as the heart of the air conditioner and circulates the refrigerant between the evaporator coil and the condenser. Your AC can either have a reciprocating compressor or a scroll-type compressor. Scroll-type compressors are generally considered more efficient.
Filter:The device that cleans the air before it is circulated in the room. A filter with a higher MERV rating is better.
Thermostat:The device that controls the temperature of the air. A thermostat can either be manual or programmable. A programmable thermostat comes with a built-in memory and timer and can be set at a preferred temperature at different times of the day.
Q 8. What is an inverter AC? What are its pros and cons?
Inverter AC is the latest technology in the world of cooling devices. It is more energy-efficient and less noisy as compared to adapter-based or non-inverter air conditioners. Let's see how.
If you are using an AC without inverter and, let's say, have set the temperature at 20 degree Celsius-- your AC will turn off every time the temperature reaches below 20 degree and switch on again as soon as the temperature rises above 20. This leads a lot of wastage of electricity, not to mention, the periodic noise of AC turning off and on throughout.
With inverter technology, it is possible to keep the temperature of the room stable without turning the AC on and off again and again. Inverter AC definitely consumes less electricity but exact figure is a matter of debate, with manufacturers claiming to reduce electricity bill by up to 60%, depending on the model. Not to say, this comes at a price with inverter ACs costing around 20% more than a regular 5-Star rated AC. However, the technology is running successfully in air conditioners (and also in refrigerators) and it's only a matter of time before non-inverter AC is phased out. The bottomline is, if you can afford the initial bump in price; go for inverter, because the pros quite outweigh the cons.
Now that you know the basics, you may want to browse through our collection of window and split air conditioners. Compare reviews and price from multiple sellers on Junglee, and buy the one that works for you.