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Hi Aroy,
I understand what you are saying and that is why I was surprised when the technician insisted that both machines are achieving a set temperature with similar timings.

Yes, this is very important and I have time and again been posting this. I learnt the above from personal experience some years ago and would not like any one else to go through the kind of mess that I had to tread through.

Hi Gill,
Since there is no indication of the budget I would just like Pankaj Sacdeva recommend the Whirlpool range. They have models from the low to medium price range and all of their machines are well built. Towards the higher end I would recommend the General window units. These are very rugged and extremely effective machines.

I would recommend heaters manufactured by A.O.Smith for both the instant and storage units, once again from personal experience. A. O. Smith


Yes, that is correct. Having said that, the smart thing would be to counter check with the company as to the current status of their relationship with any given dealer. The websites sometimes lag behind the present day arrangements.

Sir,
I would like to agree with what you are implying. However on the flip side, given the above would it not be all the more reason to choose the higher rated machine, provided of course if all other features are identical for the two units.

I love stuff from Alfa as long as it is cordless phones, clothes stands, step ladders, chocolates, odd ball snacks etc etc and of course Boots shower gels :) I agree with what Aroy said regarding going ahead, if it were window acs under consideration.

For the spits, if they are willing to give you shop warranty in writing (you will have to talk to the shop manager, the salesman will say no upfront) and the price differential is actually substantial then go ahead. If not, then go to the market selling airconditioning equipment on Mohammed Ali road and you will find General machines at much better prices there, without any warranty off course.

Star Rating are an indication of the efficiency of the appliance, that is in case of AC how much electricity it will consume for a given cooling. The higher the rating the lower the electricity consumption for same amount of cooling. Power (taken from LG site)
5* - 7.1A
3* - 8.4A
2* - 9.0A

Hence a 5* AC consumes 64% of power compared to 2*, and it will be approximately 50% of a 1*.

Prices for appliances are dictated by two factors :
1. The cost of technology. Normal AC with lower star rating using R22 refrigerants have the lowest cost of manufacture, as the technology is mature (lots of manufacturers of compressors and components) hence cheaper. High technology (inverter AC) products using R410 use more expensive components.

2. Better components. High efficiency heat exchangers using copper fins & tubes, better air flow and robust motors cost more than normally available components.

3. What the market can bear. If there is a lot of competition, prices are depressed, if the product is unique the prices are raised.

In short a high efficiency, inverter based AC using premium components, would cost two to three times that of a low efficiency AC, using cheap components.

As an example if you run a 1* AC 12hours and electricity is Rs5/unit, you will be paying around Rs120/day. Savings with 5* is Rs 60/day or 10K in a period of six months. This is typical of our AC in Delhi, hence it makes sense to get a 5* for us as we recover the money in less than two years. An added advantage is that as the electricity costs keep climbing we recover much faster. Add to that electricity shortage and you can run more appliances within your sanctioned load (and existing wiring!)

What size is this supposed to be, to consume electricity @ 2 units per hour for 12 hours? Moreover the compressor will not be running for this entire duration?

I would imagine the consumption for most 1 ton window units to be approximately 1 unit / hour, accounting for compressor cut offs. A 1.5 ton unit may consume a little more.

@Khoj; Seems my post did not get through - network blues. 5% variation means that 1.5TR will be from 17,100 to 18,900BTU. This is normal and is built into the specs, How do know that the oneyou buy is not 18.9k! I will also add that the most popular size is 1.5T so this is the one to be best optimised.

Most Inverter Units have an output range and the max is higher than the nominal BTU rating.

The figures quoted are for LG 1.5 ton (from net). The 1* is based on my current measurements of my earlier "Local" machine. In my pursuit to reduce the Electricity Bill, I have been measuring the base load of my house - Rs.; 700-1000/month, and with 3 AC working for 16, 10 and 6 hours every day - Rs.8,000 - 12,000/month from April till September, we pay a peak rate of about 4.75/unit. (Apart from a clamp on meter, the Electronic Power Meters installed give really accurate consumption figures)

My observation is that during summer (even now)

1. Machine initial run - 45min
2. Stop 3 min
3. Running - 10 min
So a duty cycle of 10/13 = .76. for 16 hours = 12 hours on time
= 18 units @7.1A
~ Rs.90/day @ 4.75/unit

For want of a better place to post this, let me post it here, because it is related to usage of air conditioner. Is it possibe to design a circuit, possibly using some device, that will put ON the ceiling fan when main power is cut (and thus AC switches OFF)? This is considering fan is on inverter line and AC is on main power line.

It should be automated, so that sleep is not disturbed. That will be a real boon in places like Noida where power cut happens sometimes twice or more times during the night.

^^Actually we use both AC and ceiling fan together. Cools the room effectively and usually a thermostat setting of 26 C is sufficient. Very economical too.

The idea is an old one and that is how the line interactive UPS operates. You will need to do some rewiring, as now your fan switch will have three states.
1. Normal On, power or no power
2. Normal Off, power or no power
3. Standby, normally off, switches on when the mains go.

You need a three position switch. The first two positions just connect & disconnect the power to the fan. The third position connects your fan to a relay, which is triggered by the mains power (not UPS). The relay should have contacts in off position. When mains is there the relay is on and the power through the contacts is off. The moment mains goes, the relay goes off and the connectors route the power to the fan from the UPS. Similarly the moment mains power comes on the relay is switched on and the contacts go off.

What you need
1. Three position switch rated for mains voltage and fan current
2. A 220V relay which has power contacts in off position
3. Wiring from the mains to the relay.

The switch and relay can be fitted in a small box which is mounted on the wall next to the original fan switch.

Aroy, while I am thankful for your response, I am a little confused by the description. Any circuit diagram (picture speaks......blah, blah)?

Sorry none at hand. I will draw one and post it, within a day or two. In the mean time please search for the relay. If not available near your house, you will get it in Bhagirath Palace or near that.

1. Contacts rated at 6-10A.
2. Contacts both on relay closed and on relay open.
3. Actuation voltage = 220V.

The need for Ac is for a room which is basically about 90 sq.ft where computer & 14 inch T.V are there. Usage is - almost 8 to 10 hrs a day. Provision for window AC is already there .Looking for Economical option as the need is for about 1 to 1 1/2 year. should work w/o any hiccup or maintenance worries. suggestions welcome. TIA.

I found one
http://ezone.futurebazaar.com/Produc...tioner/2443454


Any opinion on this - Korya KWRO9A02S 0.8 Ton Window AC .Rs 9490.00

http://ezone.futurebazaar.com/Produc...tioner/2441614

Here is a good deal for a Panasonic split AC. I think shipping is free.
Buy Panasonic CS/CU-ZC15MKY Split Air Conditioner at Best Price in India

Thanks for the quick response.

I would suggest you to go for Voltas as basically compressors are manufactured by themselves. I have 4 ones installed at home & office for last 3-4 yrs no problem at all, my friend is into this business he insisted on voltas. all others manufacture compressors in noida which is very bad.

@007_Bond; I am not too sure about Voltas. They used old Carrier compressors for decades. Did not even bother to change the reeds design to 50Hz. Where have they licensed the tech from now?