Summers are approaching again and one just cannot live without air conditioners – the most important electrical appliance. Without AC, it is virtually impossible to survive in this scorching heat. Just having an AC doesn’t fix this problem. It takes a lot of power and increases your power bills to a huge amount. Hence, modern air conditioners come with power saving features and energy star ratings. The more the stars, the more is power saving. Several households have old air conditioners installed that eat a lot of power.
With right information, selecting the best air conditioner is like an icing on a cake. First of all, you have to know the types of air conditioners in the market to choose the best suited unit for the home. It is always wise to know the technical specifications in long run. First of all, you have to know your specific needs. Consider these things before looking around –
- Size of your room
- Number of windows in your room
- Frequency of using your AC
- Your budget
Types of Air Conditioners Available in India
Portable AC Units
As the name suggests, you can move portable air conditioners from one room to another and use heat exchange principles as in-built models. They can dehumidify and cool the air.
Pros
- You can move it from one room to another
- You can plug it into normal power point, without any professional installation
Cons
- Some are just suited as personal coolers instead of room ones.
Window Air Conditioners
Across all market segments, window air conditioners are the most common types of air conditioners in the country. One has to install window AC in window sill to exhaust hot air outside. Basically, window units need some kind of installation to support weight, including metal frame or wooden plank.
Pros
- Available as single unit, so easier to remove or install
- Costs lesser and more affordable than split AC
- More convenient for those who have to shift homes more often
Cons
- Blocks the window as it is installed on window sill
- You can install it only when you have window, or you have to renovate your room.
Split Air Conditioners
Generally, split air conditioners are used to cool several rooms or an open area. Compressor unit is installed outside and 1 or 2 outlets are indoors.
Pros
- Added flexibility on locating outer component as compared to wall models.
- Quiet operation
- Cool open plan areas too
- Aesthetic and appealing designs
- Proper air flow
Cons
- Cannot cool more than single open-plan area or a few rooms
- More expensive than window or portable AC units
- Comes with separate external and internal units that must be joined. It needs permanent fixing and drilling.
Inverter AC
It is yet another innovation in technology of cooling. It is less noisy and more energy efficient when compared to non-inverter or adapter-based air conditioners. In case of a normal AC without inverter, if the temperature of AC is set at 20 Deg. C, your air conditioner will turn off every time when temperature goes below 20 Degree and you need to switch it on again when temperature exceeds 20. It causes lots of power wastage and the periodic noise is also annoying.
On the other side, inverter air conditioners can keep the temperature in your room stable without having to turn it on and off over and over again. Inverter AC consumes less power but actual figure is a matter of discussion.
Ducted Air Conditioners
You can install these air conditioners on the ground outside or in the roof. It ducts the air from various outlets through the house.
Pros
- Designed with several zones to cool just particular areas or all the room.
- Added flexibility to position it
- Energy efficient
Cons
- Should be installed professionally
- Not available ‘off the shelf’ and the AC must be customized to the house
- More expensive as compared to wall mounted and split AC units
- Doesn’t work in very humid conditions.
Reverse Cycle AC Units
They are available in any of the above mentioned AC unit types.
Pros
- Cheapest and affordable form of heating
- One system for both cooling and heating
- Creates lowest CO2 emissions
Cons
- More expensive as compared to cooling-based models
List of Top AC Manufacturing Companies in India
21. Mitashi
Mitashi is yet another trusted home appliances brand synchronizing emotions and interlinking hearts. The brand weaves the dream with every wonderful creation. It is known for providing world class AC units in both split and window variants.
Price Range: Rs. 23000 to Rs. 30000
20. Sansui
Since inception in Tokyo, Japan in 1947, Sansui brought the new way of entertainment to the world. The company has its amazing presence in around 100 nations. The company is well versed to create and design innovative products to benefit the individuals. It is known to redefine entertainment with latest innovations. In 1997, Sansui reached India. Sansui prides itself for its groundbreaking technologies and it is the No.1 brand in customer satisfaction in the country. It is known to be the most loved brand in India known for great after-sales service and new age technology.
Price Range: Rs. 20000 to Rs. 38000
19. Kelvinator
When it comes to deliver world-class home appliances, Kelvinator is a name to reckon with and it is famous for making world-class air conditioners. For up to 100 years now, Kelvinator is the brand synonymous with quality, excellence, trust and unmatched reliability. The brand is serving Indian market for so many years and it is known to maintain and strengthen legacy by offering world-class technology.
Price Range: Rs. 20000 to Rs. 40000
18. Whirlpool
It is among the leading producers of quality air conditioners that started focusing on air conditioners from fridges successfully. They are offering affordable yet quality air conditioners with nice cooling. The brand has put a lot of focus on power saving.
Price Range: Rs. 28000 to Rs. 50000
17. Blue Star
It is yet another brand which is one of the oldest AC brands in India as it was founded in 1943. It is offering air conditioners as their niche products. They have fulfilled the needs of millions of users and they specialize in residential and commercial cooling. The corporate range of this brand extends beyond their residential AC services.
Another company that was founded in India around 1943, is Blue Star. Not only is it one of the oldest great ac brands in India, it is also features in the oldest consumer electronics companies that started here. Blue Star 5HW18SA1 Split AC is yet another popular model that works very well for a lot of homes due to their durability and size.
Price Range: Rs. 30000 to Rs. 50000
16. Hyundai
Hyundai Corporation has expanded its reach by creating home appliances. It is the world-class brand which is committed to deliver new value for buyers and home appliances from Hyundai are known to forge brighter future. It is a leading South Korean brand with presence in up to 100 nations across the world. Bring a Hyundai air conditioner at home and enjoy valuable moments.
Price Range: Rs. 19000 to Rs. 30000
15. Onida
The inverter ACs from Onida are well designed with best DC inverter compressor in the world and FAST Control technology that senses and monitors room temperature. It features advanced algorithm which changes speed and frequency of compressor motor to deliver great efficiency. It can save around 65% in electricity bills under part load situations.
Price Range: Rs. 21000 to Rs. 29000
14. LG
LG is yet another leading South Korean brand which is offering bestselling AC units in India. It is yet another leading South Korean brand known for quality and affordability. Their products match up all the budgets from Rs. 18000 to Rs. 77000 for world-class commercial versions.
Price Range: Rs. 18000 to Rs. 77000
13. Samsung
The South Korean brand is known for building strong position in Indian market for right reasons. Samsung has connected Indian buyers to global technology. It is offering technically consistent and feature-rich air conditioners. You can find different styles of AC units with affordability and durability. Their AC units are designed according to humid climate in India.
Price Range: Rs. 21000 to Rs. 50000
12. Videocon
It is actually the Indian brand but its products are sold worldwide. It is the brand technically competent with various global products. It is also exported to several countries worldwide. Established in the year 1979, it is the leading brand emerged among the top selling home appliances brands due to affordable prices. Their ACs start at only Rs. 20000 and high end models go up to Rs. 68000.
Price Range: Rs. 20000 to Rs. 68000
11. IFB
IFB is the brand known to improve lifestyle of households since inception. It keeps you away from the hassles of daily life. They are offering widest range of eco-friendly, well designed air conditioners and other home appliances to set you free to indulge in your passion and do more with your time.
Price Range: Rs. 23000 to Rs. 35000
10. Lloyd
It is the largest AC coil manufacturer in India and it produces well built AC units on contract basis. In India, the usage of AC is very low at around 1.5 to 2 percent when compared to around 20% in developed nations. The company has established a plant in Czech Republic and it has got its foothold in Europe.
Price Range: Rs. 21000 to Rs. 36000
9. Godrej
Founded by Pirojsha Burjoji Godrej and Ardeshir Godrej in 1897, Godrej Group is headquartered in Mumbai. The brand has come a long way since inception and it is offering huge range of electronic appliances like ACs, kitchen appliances, and refrigerators. Godrej provide eco-friendly air conditioners that consume less electricity. It has lots of amazing features like air swing, Blow/Auto clean function, Timer, memory function etc. in various models.
Price Range:Rs. 21000 to Rs. 50000
8. Panasonic
Panasonic was earlier famous as Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co. Ltd founded in 1918 in Japan with tagline “Ideas for Life”. The Japanese giant has generated the most advanced ACs in the world with world-class technology. It has advanced features like Nanoe-G and Econavi to ensure that AC works automatically after being turned on. Panasonic has definitely earned great position.
Price Range: Rs. 28000 to Rs. 40000
7. Carrier
This international company was invented by Bills Carrier in 1920. The brand was named after Bills Carrier. It has become one of the most competent and reliable AC brands worldwide. It also has sub brand known for Weather maker that is specialized in producing the best ACs through the ACE, proprietary OS. Carrier also produces the best appliances by taking measures to reduce energy and water consumption along with gas emissions.
Price Range: Rs. 23000 to Rs. 50000
6. Haier
The Chinese brand is known widely to sell affordable home appliances including widest range of ACs in split and window ac systems. The air conditioners are known ideally for quick production. You can enjoy excellent cooling, superior performance and durability with this brand. But most of the ACs from this brand are failed to cross 3 star rating.
Price Range: Rs. 20000 to Rs. 40000
5. Hitachi
It is the well-known Japanese brand which has been the leading player in this list. It is a well-known electronics brand from Tokyo, Japan and formed in 1920. It is well known to produce energy efficient ACs which are not just eco-friendly but also ensuring world-class technology and longevity. The basic AC models come with auto climate technology, anti-bacterial Kookie filter, and remote control and LCD display. The basic models come at around Rs. 26000 and higher end ones go up to Rs. 74000. You can find two options in 1.5 ton air conditioners. According to room size and availability of space, there are split and window air conditioners available.
Price Range:Rs. 26000 to Rs. 74000
4. O General
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency awarded this brand with 5 stars for energy saving models. The air conditioners come with a lot of energy saving features. This company is the joint venture of Fujitsu General, a Japanese Brand, and ETA-ASCON STAR from Dubai. Within less than two decades, O General has offered world-class air conditioners, be it split air conditioners or window ac systems. You can get amazing cooling in its 1.5 variants.
Price Range: Rs. 28000 to Rs. 60000
3. Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a Japanese electrical and electronics giant which is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the best ACs in India known to manufacture architectural and electric equipment and it is the leading photo voltaic panel producer.
Price Range: Rs. 18000 to Rs. 40000
2. Daikin
This Japanese brand is supposed to be all about quality and it has conquered the market for around a century worldwide. Despite creating a niche in international market, it has made an entry to the Indian market around a few decades back and enhanced its manifold. The brand is known to provide quality cooling at best prices. It is offering Window ACs from Rs. 18000 and high-end variants of split ACs at around Rs. 50000.
Daikin FTF50QRV16 split AC is a bestselling model which provides everything you need. It is the split air conditioner comes with 1.5 ton capacity and 5 star energy rating. It has power chill and 3-step auto fan speed option. Some other features are Econo mode and Titanium appatite photo catalytic air purifying filter. Both split and window ACs are available with long warranty period.
Price Range: Rs. 18000 to Rs. 50000
1. Voltas
Voltas is one of the most selling AC brands in India. It is the top leading Indian AC brand which is veteran in the industry and subsidiary of Tata Group. It ensures to give high performance levels and “Weather Smart” range. This budget-friendly brand offers AC units from Rs. 25000 to Rs. 56000. The New Voltas All Weather Smart AC Advantage is the most popular and latest model. It adjusts room temperature according to the weather outside. In addition, it saves around 63% of electricity. You can also install remote app to control AC on your Smartphone. Its world-class design truly adds to its aesthetic value of commercial enterprise and home. Some other benefits are faster cooling, smart humidifier and eco-friendly refrigerant to name a few.
Price Range: Rs. 25000 to Rs. 56000
How to Choose the Best AC Unit for Your Home? – A Simple Guide
Choosing the ideal electronics brand has always been a tough job. These days, brand name speaks about the products. The brand builds trust more than description. When it comes to air conditioners, you can find a lot of brands. There are several air conditioner brands in the market and Indian market has a lot of models. Here, we are going to help you choose the best AC brand without wasting time any longer.
Air Conditioning Technology
You have to judge the brands according to their air conditioning technology. There are some brands come with world-class air conditioning technology with proper research on cooling. As compared to ordinary air conditioners, an advanced technology lasts longer with higher efficiency. But these air conditioners are generally expensive and people tend to avoid buying them. Efficiency of these air conditioners matters the most.
Don’t Always Fall for Brand offering Multiple Appliances
If one brand is offering several other appliances, it doesn’t really mean that it is well versed in cooling. It is because they need to focus on several other things and getting the best in everything is not always possible. Those who cannot afford expensive air conditioners can choose such brands. But you have to choose only top brands. You have to study such brands and the way they rate in the market. They come in virtually all areas along with their service centers. It ensures reliability and ease and value for money.
Less Price is Not Always Good
Several brands offer cheapest ACs to attract customers. Do they ensure proper cooling? Leave efficient cooling, they also have low energy star rating and you will surely double your bills. Never choose the brands selling air conditioners at prices lower than their actual market price. Buying an AC is long-term commitment. So, you should never go for the brand due to which you have to spend more after warranty period. Leave your emotions behind when it comes to buy an air conditioner.
Comparison Between Split AC and Window AC
here’s a comparison table between split AC and window AC based on various factors:
Factor | Split AC | Window AC |
Installation | Requires professional installation and separate indoor and outdoor units | Easier installation, one unit that fits in a window |
Cooling capacity | Higher cooling capacity and more suitable for larger rooms | Lower cooling capacity and better for smaller rooms |
Energy efficiency | More energy-efficient due to separate units and ability to cool specific areas | Less energy-efficient due to air leakage around the unit |
Aesthetics | More aesthetically pleasing as the indoor unit can be installed discreetly on a wall | Less aesthetically pleasing as the unit takes up space in the window |
Noise | Quieter operation as the compressor is located outside | Louder operation as the compressor is located inside |
Cost | More expensive to purchase and install | Less expensive to purchase and install |
Maintenance | Easier to maintain as each unit can be serviced separately | More difficult to maintain as the entire unit needs to be serviced |
Keep in mind that these are general comparisons, and different models and brands may have variations in performance and features. Additionally, the choice between a split AC and window AC will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Air Conditioner Frequently Asked Questions
- How often should I get my air conditioner serviced?
The number of servicing that your air conditioner needs will depend on the type of air conditioner you are having at home. You should try to get the air conditioner serviced at least once a year. It is good if you get it done before the start of the summer, as that is the time when you will be using the air conditioner more frequently. Apart from that, it is good to get it inspected at least four times a year if it is still in the warranty period.
- How is it possible to make sure that my air conditioner will last for a very long time?
A little extra care about the air conditioner will help in making it last for a very long time. You should take care that there are no leaks in the room so that the cool air remains in the rooms only. Any leakage will add pressure on the air conditioner as it needs to work continuously to keep the room cool. Along with that, you should also add blinds or shades to the windows of the room so that there is less sunlight passing into the room. Also, make sure that there is no debris or mold near the outdoor unit so that it will work well.
- I keep filling refrigerants for my air conditioner every year. Is it really necessary?
Usually refrigerant is very important for the air conditioners as it will help in keeping the room cool. But once filled, it will last for a few years, depending on how much you use it. If you are using less and still have to fill it every year, then there is a leakage issue, and you will have to take care of it. Else more refrigerant is consumed, and that will also result in increased power bills. Make sure that there are no leaks in the rooms to preserve the cooling for a long time.
- What does the star rating mean? Which star is the best choice?
The star ratings are given for us to make a choice easily. They are the energy efficiency ratings given based on how much power they consume. You will be able to find air conditioners from one-star to five-star ratings. The one with a one-star rating consumes more power when compared to the one with a five-star rating. But the five-star air conditioners are more expensive when compared to the one-star ones. So, you will have to decide on one that suits your budget. Anything that is three to five stars is good, and you will be able to save a few bucks on your power bill every month.
- Why my air conditioner does keep icing?
There can be many reasons for it, but the most popular one is having a dirty filter in your air conditioner. When the air is unable to circulate, it can cause icing. You will need the help of an expert to know more about the reason behind icing.
I hope this article will help you to find the best air conditioner that suits to your need. And please don’t forget to review your comments on these above mentioned brands.
Santosh Kumar is a Professional SEO and Blogger, With the help of this blog he is trying to share top 10 lists, facts, entertainment news from India and all around the world.