[BabaYaga1210]

Originally Posted by Light

Which AC brands are everyone recommending these days? Specifically I'm looking for those "built like a tank" ACs of old if they still exist.

If you want “built like tank” ACs then Mitsubishi Electric according to me is the only brand right now in India that is offering such build quality. One of my mitsu is 7 years old and has been reinstalled twice due to relocation. Still never had any issue even related to gas leak or anything. Also right now Mitsubishi Electric is the only brand offering 10 years compressor warranty on non inverter ACs as well. Now I don’t know about 30 years but these ACs can easily last 10-15 years with minimal maintenance.

[Satkaj]

Originally Posted by Light

Which AC brands are everyone recommending these days? Specifically I'm looking for those "built like a tank" ACs of old if they still exist..

1. Unconventional brand Napoleon- Have been using them in my Factory in Gujarat in 40+ heat for several years. Bought recently for my in-laws in Ahmedabad and serves extremely well. Hope will last long. Much cheaper to main stream brands and much better built than cheap Indian/ Chinese brands.

2 . If you are brand conscious, then Mitsubishi either heavy or Electric.

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by Light

Which AC brands are everyone recommending these days? Specifically I'm looking for those "built like a tank" ACs of old if they still exist.

Mitsubishi/General Ac, their non inverter version. Not as tank like as the old ones, but still pretty good. When I change my Ac next time, I am going for either of these. Preferably window unit, if available.

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by Light

Also IME the new multi-inverter ACs are a total waste of money. No energy savings whatsoever.

I disagree.

An inverter AC isn't going to perform to your expectations if you are running them as a non-inverter unit. There is natural tendency among may that you need to set the temperature at the lowest setting to cool down the room and if you are doing that with your Inverter AC, there isn't going be a single dime saved.

It is also unfair to compare the running costs from 2008 or even 2019 for that matter. The cost of power has also shot up and your AC is working harder now as we are experiencing warmer temperatures. All you can do is buy the most efficient and well made unit there is and the rest is up to how you use it.

For all the AC's you've bought, the only one that was made well was probably the Voltas. Anything with a Sanyo badge today, don't expect that it carries the quality from Japan. Its just a badge job. Carrier home air conditioning is nothing more than a rebadged Midea product. In saying that, Midea do make good products so I'm not quite sure what went wrong here.

[Aroy]

In my experience "built like tank" is expensive to build. So the current AC's are built lighter to reduce the selling cost. Further older AC's had none or very little electronics so they did last for 30+ years as there was nothing that "blew" due to over/under voltage.

If you want AC's that last 30+ years you have to look at the commercial/industrial range, that most manufacturers have. These machines are build to last. The downside is that
. They cost at least 3 times to buy.
. AMC is correspondingly high.

So who buys them? Well industry does. The pain and expense in replacing the AC's is much more than the cost. Further these machines last and last so it is a good buy,

Is there any WFM? In my opinion no, as at one third the price (and AMC), I do not mind changing every 5 to 10 years the AC lasts. By then a newer and better model comes.

Regarding power consumption as the AC ages, it is due to gradual deterioration of the heat exchangers both IDU and ODU. With age they clog up and become less efficient, hence higher power consumption. What needs to be done is
. Dismantle the AC
. Clean the IDU and ODU heat exchangers thoroughly. Generally a cleaning agent helps.
. Clean the pipes.
. Assemble it back. Vacuum the lines when assembling.

Now you AC is back to its initial state.

I have done this once and the efficiency came back to that of a new AC. Of course it costs quite a sum (around 3-4K), so it is upto you.

[lazy]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

You can try air coolers. Since humidity is on the lower side, it will most likely work as an alternative to AC. Keep atleast one window open in whichever room you run the cooler.

Originally Posted by subraiyr

On the note of air conditioners and air coolers - this came across in our community. User @Lazy said 37 is the temperature in Bangalore. Seems now that we have a scorcher summer in Bangalore. This was published by Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Center publishes yesterday's temperature in Karnataka - Bengaluru shows 40 degrees C!

Attachment 2590273

Originally Posted by Gansan

Try air cooler. They can be effective in non coastal areas and are popular in Delhi, Hyderabad etc. But you can achieve only about 2-3 degrees below ambient temperature, no more.

Originally Posted by It's Magic

You can try air cooler as others have suggested.
We had these coolers some time back, and my observation was that they start making a lot of noise as they get older.

Originally Posted by tj123

Do remember that water coolers guzzle loads of water (atleast the old models), and since Bangalore is facing a water crisis, it may not work for all.

Originally Posted by Gansan

That is a personal cooler, you will have to sit right in front of it! What you need is something like this or even bigger:

https://shop.symphonylimited.com/pro...UaAqUIEALw_wcB

So, last week during a short visit to Delhi, took the opportunity to see an installation of a ducted evaporative air cooler - a dentist's clinic, no less.

Outside temp was hovering at 41 C (per my car's gauge), and inside it was really cool, say about 28 C. They had covered up their three split ACs and they are used in monsoons. Otherwise, during summers the cooler is primarily used.

Happy with the cooling, air speed, noise, low running costs & most of all the environmental load (less electricity, no refrigerants).

Now the catch is the spend & suitability to Bangalore's weather.

Spend:
Price is about 1.2L + ducting/vents + plywood/laminates works to cover the internal ducts and casing for the vents.
This will work for 4 medium sized rooms.

Suitability:
While steep, am okay for the above spend, but need more validation on suitability for Bangalore's weather.
Here we see over 5-6 months of high humidity, when this cooler will reduce temp by 4 C from ambient. In current dry summers, it'll bring down by 12 - 15 C.

Getting confused, for about 1.6L, we can easily get 4 split units and be assured of the performance.

cheers
lazy

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by lazy

While steep, am okay for the above spend, but need more validation on suitability for Bangalore's weather.

If this is to be installed in a house, well brace yourself for some extensive aesthetic improvements that will further add to cost.

In terms of effectiveness, I am sure you'll have months where it can work but I'd not be as optimistic with a temperature decrease of >10 degrees. Bangalore's weather has changed A LOT over the last 2 decades. It was already hot when I did live in Bangalore and I hear its worse these days. Gone are the days where you needed to wear a jacket or woolens in Winter months. Its not that cold anymore. At the most, pleasant in the evenings.

If you must do a cooler system, I'd throw in a small modification by adding a small 3 ton AC compressor unit with an evaporator coil built into the ducting. You use the system as a cooler for the time you don't need air con levels of cooling and when it gets warmer or less effective, turn on the compressor unit. I am pretty sure there are companies that can help you design such a system. Add a shut off valve for the rooms that don't need to be cooled. Will need a fair bit of design an engineering and I am sure you'll find places that will do this for you.

That said, there is nothing that will beat the convenience and ease of use with multi split, wifi capable modern aircon systems. With modern Inverter tech, its efficient as well. Noise levels will be lower too and you don't need to renovate any part of the house.

[ZMG]

Hi
Any thoughts on how often should one get wet servicing (cleaning the IDU with the foam and water) done?
The urban clap guy said every 6 months (Ya right!!)
I had read somewhere that one should not get the wet servicing done too many times as it can mess the fins on both IDU & ODU.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by ZMG

Any thoughts on how often should one get wet servicing (cleaning the IDU with the foam and water) done?

Depends on where you live, and how much dust there is in the atmosphere. It's always been beneficial, in my experience, except one time when they got water inside the IDU fan motor and it squealed horribly until replaced. The company accepted the responsibility.

[sunilch]

Originally Posted by ZMG

Hi
Any thoughts on how often should one get wet servicing (cleaning the IDU with the foam and water) done?
The urban clap guy said every 6 months (Ya right!!)
I had read somewhere that one should not get the wet servicing done too many times as it can mess the fins on both IDU & ODU.

I get it done once a year just before summers. But earlier my old house was less dusty and hence the cleaning was less frequently required. So it actually depends upon the amount of dust that accumulates in the AC.

Better to simply check the dust and decide to call for cleaning or not.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by ZMG

Hi
Any thoughts on how often should one get wet servicing (cleaning the IDU with the foam and water) done?
The urban clap guy said every 6 months (Ya right!!)
I had read somewhere that one should not get the wet servicing done too many times as it can mess the fins on both IDU & ODU.

I live in moderately dusty area. I get the IDU foam washed by Urban Company just before the onset of summer down south- Feb end.

I wash the ODU myself around the same time as the IDU is cleaned since it is accessible to me, and I do a more careful and thorough job of cleaning the fins and the innards of the compressor.

This routine has served me good for the past 5 years. The filters in the IDU are water washed each month. However, if the air from the AC smells musty and damp then I spray a diluted solution of lizol on the coils-1 cap in 500ml of water and let the IDU air dry for a couple of hours. It always take care of the musty smell

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by ZMG

Any thoughts on how often should one get wet servicing (cleaning the IDU with the foam and water) done?

I do one foam wash service which I call as wake up service during mid/late February. In Chennai ACs will be unused or very infrequently used from October to about mid February. I run them for an hour every week or ten days during that period also, but sometimes I forget.

When the foam wash is done I tell them to clean the ODUs too which they do with a brush, because of how they are positioned. They will use the brush on the innards also. After the service I do the IDU air filter cleaning once a month. And while at it I clean the fins inside it as best as I could with a mug of water and a paint brush.

I live on a dusty main road. Even though my apartment is at the very end of the complex and the ODUs face away from the main road at the rear of the building, still a lot of dust gets it. The only water service the ODUs get is during torrential monsoon rains accompanied by wind. Rain water won't otherwise touch them because they sit in a kind of niche - on top of our bedroom sun shades and under the balconies of the apartment above.

[Satkaj]

Originally Posted by ZMG

Hi
Any thoughts on how often should one get wet servicing (cleaning the IDU with the foam and water) done?
The urban clap guy said every 6 months (Ya right!!)
I had read somewhere that one should not get the wet servicing done too many times as it can mess the fins on both IDU & ODU.

Once in 2 years for the Ac’s which are used 365 days except we are away.

Once in 3/4 years for Ac’s which are in the rooms which are hardly used once a while.

It is wet service if not done well will affect and damage fins and electrical parts. Never faced any problem with Any of my Ac’s till date with these intervals .

I clean dust filters regularly on my own. Which means I have no yearly service contract for any of my machines at home.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by ZMG

Hi
Any thoughts on how often should one get wet servicing (cleaning the IDU with the foam and water) done?
The urban clap guy said every 6 months (Ya right!!)
I had read somewhere that one should not get the wet servicing done too many times as it can mess the fins on both IDU & ODU.

As discussed depends on the dust content of the Atmosphere and how long you use it. In my case I have 5 AC's, and here is the service interval

. 2T in DR on the ground floor (very little dust). Service every year. During wet service I monitor the water out put. It is mildly dirty.

. 1.5T in study on FF. Wet service once a year, very little dirt in the water.

. 1.5T in bedroom on GF. Service every alternate year as it is rarely used. Practically clean water on the outlet.

. 2t in bedroom on FF. This is our master bedroom and the AC is on practically from 1300hrs to 0600 hrs. As this is Hot & Cold it runs in winters and summers. This location is a dust magnet. We get it wet cleaned at least 3 times a year and every time the water is dark and muddy.

. 1.5T in BR on FF. Use is similar to master bedroom but due to location it accumulates much less dust. Serviced twice a year. The water is moderately dirty.

So to answer you question, wet service interval depends on usage time and dust. The best indicator of an AC where dust has accumulated in IDU is the gradual reduction in the fan throw. I measure it by holing an A4 sheet. Near the AC the sheet will deflect 90 degrees. As you go further away it deflects less and less. I note the deflection at 7 feet (end of the bed). After service it is at least 45 degrees. Once the AC accumulates dust in the heat exchanger ithe deflection goes down, till it is barely 10 degrees. That is when you need wet service. You will notice that with time the cooling appears to be less and less at the same temperature setting. That is because as the heat exchanges clogs up the air throw reduces and the room cooling reduces. By the way in case of severe clogging the fan will overheat and may burn out.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Aroy

By the way in case of severe clogging the fan will overheat and may burn out.

Issues may also occur on account of freezing at the cooling coil due to insufficient airflow.

That fan getting dirty is one of the biggest reducers of draught and cooling, in my experience. It seems that dust build-up really destroys the aerodynamic function of the blades.