SPLIT Air Conditioner - Comments and Opinions

[Haleempaya&kabab]

Hi,

I'm looking to purchase split AC for my home and I am considering to buy Two. Living in America for a while, and have even forgotten what single unit AC or a split AC is, I'm wondering which one to go for ---- SPlit Ac or Single Unit. Most people say split AC is good so now which Split AC is good was my dilemma. Does anyone Else have the same concerns / experiences. Please Share...

Thanx.

[anony_mouse]

I got 6 split ACs installed in my home 2 months back. Here is some guidance:

split is better than window ac. it costs more but it makes much less noise and is more efficient. (the main unit is installed outside and only the blower is in the room)

if you are installing AC in more than one room, consider multi-room units (the same unit will supply to more than one room in the house). the advantage is that you will have to buy less tonnage overall and still get higher power cooling and heating (just like in USA).

buy something with automatic temprature control so that it automatically shuts down when the temprature reaches a set value (the advantage is more comfort due to uniform temprature and saving of electricity)

unless you are in a "high-end" apartment complex with controlled electricity; you will need to buy stabilizer for each AC as quality of electric supply is pretty poor in most of India.

brand-wise, I recommend LG. They make a 2-ton heating/cooling unit with auto temperature control that costs about 27k.

[Haleempaya&kabab]

Tarun,

Thanks for the info. For the pointer number 2 on mulit-unit, as you said you installed 6 ac's. Does it matter if the rooms are not close to each other, or it has to closer. Also how about the installations, how does that work?

I didn't know there were Temperature controlled units, thats nice too.

Thanks.

I got 6 split ACs installed in my home 2 months back. Here is some guidance:

split is better than window ac. it costs more but it makes much less noise and is more efficient. (the main unit is installed outside and only the blower is in the room)

if you are installing AC in more than one room, consider multi-room units (the same unit will supply to more than one room in the house). the advantage is that you will have to buy less tonnage overall and still get higher power cooling and heating (just like in USA).

buy something with automatic temprature control so that it automatically shuts down when the temprature reaches a set value (the advantage is more comfort due to uniform temprature and saving of electricity)

unless you are in a "high-end" apartment complex with controlled electricity; you will need to buy stabilizer for each AC as quality of electric supply is pretty poor in most of India.

brand-wise, I recommend LG. They make a 2-ton heating/cooling unit with auto temperature control that costs about 27k.

[anony_mouse]

The plumbing is expensive for split AC as one needs to put in thermally insulated pipes; so if the rooms are too far off it will add to the expense.
however, it might still be cheaper than putting a separate AC.

Other than that, the distance does not matter. (I have a friend who put in just one large unit for the whole 5-bedroom house on two floors)

Get a good contractor (you will need one for installation of ACs) and ask him to quote for fitting both ways based on distance and accordingly decide.

[hellome]

We have recently purchased an apartment. The builder, by default will be giving provision for normal ACs in all the rooms. We are planning to rent it for now. My questions...

1. Assuming the builder gives provision for normal AC's in the rooms, is it possible for me to install a split AC at a later stage??

2. Should I ask the builder to provide split AC provision at this construction stage itself. If yes, what if I get a tenant who ONLY has normal AC's.

Your advice please since I need to inform the builder asap.

[gotskiz]

We have recently purchased an apartment. The builder, by default will be giving provision for normal ACs in all the rooms. We are planning to rent it for now. My questions...

1. Assuming the builder gives provision for normal AC's in the rooms, is it possible for me to install a split AC at a later stage??

2. Should I ask the builder to provide split AC provision at this construction stage itself. If yes, what if I get a tenant who ONLY has normal AC's.

Your advice please since I need to inform the builder asap.

* Answer to #1 - yes, but you may want to ask for an opening for the "duct", and an (additional) power socket for the split-AC compressor.
* Answer to #2 - yes again - the builder may have some rules/restrictions on where the compressor can be kept.
e.g in my apartment, it is allowed only if there is a balcony. one of my bedroom doesnt have a balcony, so i cant have a split AC in that room.

the safe thing is to get provision (inc. power sockets) for both from the builder if possible, with one catch: if the aptt is on lower floors, the opening for regular AC (if unused) could be a security risk - builders typically seal this with just a thin board.

Also, would suggest to get all these changes/amendments that you need in writing/email clearly.

[ILuvHyd]

I didn't know there were Temperature controlled units, thats nice too.[/quote]
We bought one split AC 5 years back for one of the bed rooms in our apartment in Hyderabad where our parents live and it has automatic temperature control. I think it should be more like a standard feature now. The only problem is mounting the compressor outside at a higher floor. Our apartment association has very strict rules and it is something you need to consider. Also make sure the compressor is securely mounted outside to prevent any accidental fallings :emsmileo: especially on higher floors. Looking at those issues, we bought a Window AC couple of years back for our other bedroom and yes it was inferior overall to the split AC especially with quietness.

[lizsandvik]

Hi- I have been very satisfied with an Inverter in Oslo, which is rather popular in Norway and the rest of Scandinavia as it both cools in summers and warms in winter- 1/3 power consumption and much better quality of air- Also felt its use in Thailand when we were there for holiday- so it will definitely work in a humid place but am going to try it out in Delhi for this summer- Rather dislike ACs for- sound and airquality and high power consumption- Found an inverter being offered by LG on their Indian website- will call and get hope to get it- more later- Hoping it works!

[anony_mouse]

an inverter and an AC that both heats and cools is the same thing - AFAIK.