Best air conditioner in India

[hana-code-insert name=’rectangle’ /] Last updated MArch 2016: We have listed the air conditioner brands largely available in India depending upon the technology used, superior workmanship, star ratings, innovation and world standing. The ranking is on technical aspects only and not on price. The more superior the product the more the price. It is also based on experience and use of the products over a long period and feedback from customers.

Hitachi Air Conditioners *****

Why choose Hitachi Air conditioners as the best AC brand?

Hitachi has the best efficient air conditioners in the market. BEE rates most of their products 4 stars and 5 stars.

Regarding innovation Hitachi launched the first Side Throw AC , the first Hi Wall Mounted Split AC  and  the first Ceiling Mounted Split AC. Most of Hitachi ACs  are having highest Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) in its category

The sound level is much more lower (34dB) in Hitachi air conditioners, far lower than other manufacturers.

Mitsubishi / Daikin / Carrier air conditioners ****

Mitsubishi and daikin have entered the Indian market with many good products and are able to  capture a good chunk in Split AC requirements

Why choose Carrier Air conditioners?

Founded in 1915, carrier is the inventor of modern air-conditioning and has developed itself into being the world’s largest provider of air-conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration systems (HVACR)

Carrier is also one of the first to adopt the energy efficiency label issued by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

Awarded the First prize for energy conservation in Consumer Goods Sector in 2007 & 2008 by the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India

Like Hitachi most of Carrier ACs  are having highest Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) in its category

Panasonic / LG / Voltas / Blue star  air conditioners ***

Panasonic has launched many new models recently. Being a Japanese company the products are of very high Quality.

LG has been in Indian market for quite a long time and has good market share in Indian air conditioning market.

Voltas and blue star  a Tata product is a known name in India, they are significantly launching new products and doing well in the past few years.

Godrej / Samsung / Electrolux / Whirlpool ? Haier air conditioners**

These are consumer electronics companies and do not have a focus on a single product. They offer entire range of home electronics. The products are generally sourced from other OEM’s, and they do not have an edge as compared to Carrier and Hitachi.

Window ac or split ac which one to buy

It is often confusing which ac to buy for your home, window or split ac. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The ideal ac which suites best and has the maximum star ratings is the best for you.
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We will assist you in choosing between window and split air conditioner

Window AC

These are hanging out of many house windows. This is the most used and economical air conditioner system. It is a single unit, which sits in a window or an opening in a wall with its rear releasing hot air outside and the front part releasing cool air into the room. Windows AC has size limitation and doesn’t go beyond 2 Ton capacity

Split AC

The splitting of the two units in an AC allows one to install the cooling unit inside and the hot noisy compressor unit outside with flexibility. Since two units are separate they can be larger or smaller, hence two indoor small units can be connected to one large outdoor unit.

Window air conditioner is more suitable in the following cases

• When you stay in a rented accommodation and you frequently change your home, window AC is the best. Forget the split AC as installation charges are very high and un- installation / reinstallation is a costly affair as compared to window AC
• Window air conditioners are cheaper than split air conditioners
• You have made a vent in the wall for the installation of the window AC then this is the best AC as this will not block the windows
• Power consumption is more or less the same in split and window air conditioner, more tilted towards the window AC, this should not be a deciding factor
• Window air conditioner has more market share due to the above-mentioned factors. About seventy percent buyers prefer to by window air conditioners and the remaining thirty percent buy split air conditioners

Split air conditioner is more suitable in the following cases

• You have your own house and ac is to be fixed as a one time affair
• Proper vent in the wall is not available for window ac and if installed in window it disrupts the views and also doesn’t looks aesthetically right
• The installation of split air conditioner is highly flexible. The wall on which the AC installation is required may not be the outer wall. It may be a common wall between two rooms.
• Noise factor. Window air conditioner makes more noise as compared to split air conditioner as in case of split air conditioner the compressor is installed away from the indoor unit. If noise is disturbing for your sound sleep go for split air conditioner.
• If planned window AC is exposed to direct sunlight or area around it is restricted leading to less air flow, and split AC outdoor unit can be placed in a shady and airy area, split AC will consume less energy and will be cheaper in the long run plus added convenience of split air conditioner is there.
• If the room is large and requirement of room is more than 2 ton of cooling capacity.
• Split air conditioner is more aesthetic looking and there is a wide variety of designs and colours available to suite your requirements.
• Power consumption is more or less the same in split and window air conditioner, this should not be a deciding factor.  If properly installed split AC’s may actually give better efficiency than window air conditioners

Parameter	Which will be better window or split AC
Ease of installation	Window AC
Price	Window AC
Flexibility to install anywhere	Split AC
Noise levels	Split AC
Room Aesthetic looks	Split AC
Variety of models	Split AC
More than 2 Ton requirement	Split AC
Power consumption	Both consume same power
Star rated modes	Available in both types, four and five star rated models generally not available in window AC
Mobility, Shifting	Window AC
Save electricity	Use fans to the extent possible

Air conditioner star ratings in India

Star rating is a system initiated by BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) India to determine the energy efficiency of an electronic product for home use like window and split air-conditioners. [hana-code-insert name=’large rectangle’ /]Depending on their energy efficiency they are rated on a scale of 1 – 5 and indicated by starts for easy understanding.  Higher the number of stars, better is the energy efficiency of an air conditioner.

AC Star rating Calculation

The energy efficiency of an AC depends on two factors: Cooling capacity (in BTU) and Power consumption (in Watts)

The cooling capacity of one ton AC should be 12000 BTU, 1.5 ton AC 18000 BTU. Some companies rate their air conditioners as 1 ton but actually their cooling capacity is less than 12000 BTU. SO the BEE has brought into force star rating system so that the manufacturers cannot misguide the consumers

What to check befor buying air conditioner

While buying air conditioner check the following on the specifications: Cooling capacity in BTU, power consumed in Watts and star rating if available.

Star rating is based upon the EER of an AC. EER is cooling capacity divided by power consumed. To calculate EER in watts BTU needs to be converted into watts. 12000 BTU is equal to 3517 watts or 1BTU = 0.2937 Watts or one ton = 3517 watts

While it is important to choose an AC with higher star rating, it is equally important not to compromise on the cooling capacity, which is the primary function of an AC.

BEE air conditioner Star Ratings

The star rating parameters EER shall be obtained from following tables depending on the year of manufacturing/import/assembling of an air conditioner

Air conditioner Manufactured / Imported / Assembled From 07 January 2010 to 31 December 2011

Star Rating	Min	Max
1 Star *	2.30	2.49
2 Star **	2.50	2.69
3 Star ***	2.70	2.89
4 Star ****	2.90	3.09
5 Star *****	3.10	5

Air conditioner Manufactured / Imported / Assembled From 01 January 2012 to 31 December 2013

Star Rating	Min	Max
1 Star *	2.50	2.69
2 Star **	2.70	2.89
3 Star ***	2.90	3.09
4 Star ****	3.10	3.29
5 Star *****	3.30

Air conditioner Manufactured / Imported / Assembled From From 01 January 2014 to 31 December 2015

Star Rating	Min	Max
1 Star *	2.70	2.89
2 Star **	2.90	3.09
3 Star ***	3.10	3.29
4 Star ****	3.30	3.49
5 Star *****	3.50

What is air conditioner ton

Ton as the name suggests is equivalent to 1000 kg. How is this related to air conditioner? Actually room air conditioners were derived from the technology used to refrigerate ice or to convert water to ice in earlier times. To relate ice and cooling capacity a formula is derived which says the amount of energy required per hour to make one ton of ice in twenty-four hours. [hana-code-insert name=’large rectangle’ /]This comes out to be 12000 BTU (British thermal units).

So one ton is equal to 12000 BTU.

Cooling capacity of an air conditioner is measured in tons so one ton AC provides 12000 BTU in one hour.

How much ton AC is suitable for your room

The cooling of a room also depends on other factors other than ton like, insulation, number of windows, sunlight, heat producing appliances in the room like TV, computer etc.

A simple calculation is as follows

Multiply the length, breadth and height of the room (take units as feet). Then divide this by 1000 to get the ton capacity

Example if the room’s size is 10 feet by 10 feet by 10 feet

So 10 X 10 X 10 comes out to 1000, divide this by 1000 the answer comes to 1. So your as tonnage requirement is one ton

Another example room size 12 feet by 12 feet by 9 feet. The multiplication comes out to be 1290. Dividing this by 1000 leads to 1.2. so tonnage requirement is 1.2 ton. If there is direct sunlight in the room and  /or the air conditioner is exposed to sun, or you stay on the top floor where roof heats up, go for 1.5 tom AC otherwise go for 1 ton AC as air conditioners are available in 0.75 ton. 1 ton and 2 ton and above capacity only

Air condition Ton requirement calculator / Chart for room
S no	Length*	Breadth*	Height*	Total L*B*H	Ton required
1	9	9	9	729	0.75
2	9	9	10	810	0.75
3	10	10	9	900	0.75-1
4	10	10	10	1000	1
5	11	11	9	1089	1
6	11	11	10	1210	1-1.5
7	12	12	9	1296	1-1.5
8	12	12	10	1440	1.5
9	13	13	10	1690	1.5
10	14	14	10	1960	1.5-2
11	15	15	10	2250	2

* In feet, one feet is equal to 12 inches or 30.48 centimeters, 0.32 meters