Types of Air Conditioners AC HVAC 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