AC Buying Guide

https://www.croma.com/lg-6-in-1-convertible-1-5...

Points to remember

Area and Tonnage

• 80-120 Sq.Ft. -> 1 Ton (~3516.85 watt Cooling Capacity)

• 140~160 Sq.Ft. -> 1.5 Ton (~5275 watt "")

• 180~200 Sq.Ft. -> 1.8 Ton (~6447 watt "")

• 240~260 Sq.Ft. -> 2.5 Ton (~8792 watt "")

• 290~310 Sq.Ft. -> 3 Ton (~10550 watt "")

You need to factor other things such as exposure to sun light, number of occupants, windows, heat generating appliances etc. If you have a 110 Sq.Ft. room and say it is in the top most floor and the roof is exposed to scorching sun light then maybe 1 Ton ac will not do justice to you. Go for 1.5 Ton AC.

LG 3 star 1.5ton AC has 4400 watt cooling capacity -> 1.25 Ton . Beware of fake 1.5 Ton ACs.

Amperage of MCBs and Wires

Take an example of Daikin 1.5 Ton FTKT. max rated power is 1650 Watt. So, current required -> 7.5A. Starting current can be 1.5 X 7.5A i.e. 11.25A. So, 20A should suffice. (Without Stabilizer) It also says in the online fact sheet of that AC.

Formula = (max electrical power consumption kW) / (0.9 X 220V)

Different gauges of wires are available. Multiply by 6 to get a ballpark figure.

Image is from -> Finolex's spec for its wires. Check the wire box before buying the wire.

PF = 0.9 (assuming), Max Power = 1680W, Voltage Available 90V, then current needed is 20.74A. (Assuming Stabilizer has 90~220V rating). But most 1.5ton ACs and 4kVA stabilizers use 2.5 sq.mm wire. Stabilizers themselves have output voltage range. And V-Guard VE400 has a current capacity of 12A.

Please @andromeda bhai. please shed some lights into it. I am really confused. The electrician has given a 32A MCB and 2.5sq.mm wires. And please shed some light on the type and capacity of MCB

Use thick wire for earthing.

Proper Planning Before Installation

Outdoor unit should be shielded from direct sunlight. If there is no option, one can have a makeshift shed around it. But ventilation should not be blocked. Indoor Unit should be properly aligned otherwise you might see drainage issues. Indoor Unit's top should have at least 1 or 2 feet gap from the roof. If you put a bed directly under the AC then you might face issues during servicing. (From my own personal experience.)

Use at least 2.5 sq. mm wires for phase. Proper earthing should be done.

Use a stabilizer even if it says your AC has stabilizer free operation.

Efficiency and BEE Star Rating/Manufacturing Year

More Stars -> More Power Savings. But...

Product 1 3 Star one 4th Photo says that it has an ISEER rating 4.00.

Product 2 3 Star one 4th Photos says that it also has an ISEER rating 4.00.

Spot the difference guys 4400 watt cooling capacity vs 5000 watt cooling capacity. But same ISEER rating. Please read those labels carefully.

And the labels are valid from 1st July 2022 to 31st Dec 2024. 🐒

Please don't be fooled, when the sales person says that this model is 2022 model and this model is 2024 model. Bhai no difference. All that matters is cooling capacity and that star label.

Companies are very smart. Daikin's FTKT model has 5.28 kW cooling capacity but it's 2022's model. All of its recently launched 3 star 1.5Ton ACs have 5 kW cooling capacity. Price can be made more competent, quality can be compromised. 🐒

Service Coverage

Please check if your area has good service. Otherwise it is no brainer to invest in a high end model, who has poor reach to you.

Here are my suggestions. I will cover from 1.5Ton(including fake ones) only. But it is easy to select one, once you get to know the criteria.

5275.28W -> 1.5 Ton, This is the formula. Actual Tonnage = (Cooling Capacity)X(1.5/5275.28)

Godrej 5-In-1 Convertible Cooling 2023 Model 1.5 Ton 3 Star Split Inverter With Heavy Duty Cooling at Extreme Temperature AC - White (AC 1.5T EI 18TINV3R32 WWD, Copper Condenser)  1.36Ton, 4800W Cooling capacity, ISSER 3.85, 1year warranty, No idea about PCB warranty, 10 year Compressor warranty, No spec available, 30990 

Daikin 2023 Model 1.5 Ton 3 Star Split Inverter AC with PM 2.5 Filter - White (MTKL50UV16V3/RKL50UV16V/ V3/MTKL50UV16VA/RKL50UV16VA, Copper Condenser) 1.42Ton, 5000W cooling capacity, 3Star, ISEER 4.0, 1year warranty, 5 year PCB warranty, 10 year Compressor warranty, (160~265V), Spec, Max Ambient Temp 50°,36990

Try to get a Daikin FTKT A true 1.5Ton AC, 3Star, 1year warranty, 5 year PCB warranty, 10 year Compressor warranty, Max Ambient Temp 54°, Should cost you around 37/38k.

Panasonic 1.5 Ton 3 Star Wi-Fi Inverter Smart Split AC (Copper Condenser, 7 in 1 Convertible with True AI Mode, PM 0.1 Air Purification Filter, CS/CU-SU18ZKYWT, 2024 Model, White) 1.43 Ton, 5050W cooling capacity, 1year warranty, 5 year PCB warranty, 10 year Compressor warranty, (145~285V), Spec, Max Ambient Temp 52°C, 36990

CARRIER 1.5 Ton 3 Star Split Inverter AC - White (CAI18NO3R32H0, Copper Condenser) True 1.5Ton, 5300W Cooling Capacity, ISEER 4.25, 1year warranty, 5 year PCB warranty, 10 year Compressor warranty, 39990 (Local Stores are selling this at 35k)

Hitachi 1.5 Ton 3 Star Inverter Split AC, RAS.G318PCAISF (Silent Airhexa Sensor, Ice Clean, Ambience Light, 100 Percent Copper, 2023 Launch)(581110416) as per Spec 5190W i.e. 1.47Ton Cooling Capacity, ISEER 3.92, 1year warranty, 5 year PCB warranty, 10 year Compressor warranty, max ambient temp 52°C as per the catalogue, which I don't have, 5 years comprehensive warranty if you do maintenance by them for the next 2 years by spending 200 per service i.e. 800 in total. 38990 (Offline price will be around 35500/35900) (Check for good service. If yes then buy it otherwise don't buy.)

Lloyd 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC (5 in 1 Convertible, 100% Copper, Anti-Viral + PM 2.5 Filter, 2023 Model, White with Chrome Deco Strip, GLS18I5FWBEV) 5Star, 5100W cooling capacity->1.45Ton, ISEER 5.06, Spec Matches with , Max ambient temp 52°, (100~300V), No idea if 5 year warranty is on PCB, 40990

Samsung 1.5 Ton 5 Star (5-in-1 Convertible Cooling, 2023 Model, AR18CYNZABE, Free Installation Worth Rs 1500), Stabilizer Free Operation, Inverter Split AC 5Star, 5000W Cooling Capacity -> 1.42Ton, it says max cooling capacity can be extended till 6600W -> 1.84 Ton (That's impressive engineering), ISEER rating 5.16, no PM filter, more spec @drupal bhai says Samsung has the option to avail 5 years warranty on PCB  43990

Daikin 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC (Copper,2022,FTKM50U,White), True 1.5 Ton, 5Star, (130~285V), Max Ambient Temp 54°C, Spec, 1year warranty, 5 year PCB warranty, 10 year Compressor warranty 45990

Daikin 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC (Copper, PM 1.0 Filter, 2022 Model, JTKJ50U, White) True 1.5Ton, 5Star, (130~285V), ISEER 5.2, 54°C Max ambient temp, 1year warranty, 5 year PCB warranty, 10 year Compressor warranty 50990 (Very premium model)