Air cooler vs. AC: Which One is Right for your Home this Summer?

Air cooler vs. AC: Which One is Right for your Home this Summer?

An air conditioner was a luxury until a decade or two ago, but now you find them in almost every institution and home that you walk into. While an AC is still pretty pricey, the inexpensive air coolers are a lot more popular and can almost be deemed a necessity in the drier parts of India. While both have their uses, a major factor that separates the two is cost and usage.

ACs are predominantly a lot costlier simply because of the number of functioning parts and the complex cooling system they employ. They are also slowly shifting to the ‘smart’ interface, which gives you access to a whole new world of benefits of using them via your smartphone. Air coolers are the more economical option because these are, in essence, a slightly modified fan. Air coolers also can’t hit the low temperatures as efficiently as an AC can, but there are benefits that help them stand out in their own way.

Owning air cooling technology, be it an AC or an air cooler, will soon become a necessity if the temperature keeps rising the way it does. Affordability becomes key in such situations and you can now buy an AC or an air cooler on EMI without a credit card on No Cost EMI, thereby significantly reducing the burden you put on your finances.

Additionally, if you’re in the market for an air cooler or conditioner right now, you can enjoy the Summer Sale brought to you by Bajaj Finserv. Between April 1, 2019, and June 30, 2019, you can enjoy exclusive EMI offers on leading air cooling brands and ensure you have a pleasant summer. Furthermore, on purchases of air conditioners over Rs.20,000 and Rs.40,000, you get Insta Credit of Rs.5,000 and Rs.7,000 respectively into your Bajaj Finserv Wallet.

The question now is deciding which of two air cooling appliances is the right pick for you. When choosing between the two, knowing the differences in functionality and features can be of great assistance.

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Here are a few key differences you ought to know to make a smart decision:

Categories and options available to you

In the case of air coolers, you can choose from Desert air coolers, Personal air coolers, and Tower air coolers. The surface area that each can cool is a primary differentiating factor between these variants. Desert air coolers are designed for dry climates and offer expansive cooling. They have unique air filtration and humidity control setting that Personal air coolers do not have. The price point varies among the three, with desert coolers being the most expensive and personal coolers being the cheapest. 

In the case of ACs, there are two main types, Window AC and Split ACs. In terms of energy consumption and noise, split ACs are better than window ACs. In terms of prices, window ACs are cheaper.

Cooling technology employed

When it comes to cooling technology, both air coolers, and air conditioners have very different architecture and serve a different function. Air coolers humidify the area to cool it down whereas air conditioners dehumidify it and recirculate the air.

Air coolers also use cooling pads as a cooling mechanism. These pads are normally made of aspen (wood wool) or honeycomb, with honeycomb dominating the market as the standard component.

Air conditioners, on the other hand, use a condenser, evaporator, and compressor as the main modules. These work in tandem with chemicals to rapidly heat, cool and circulate the air. If you’re looking for a humid environment that circulates fresh air, an air cooler is your best bet. If you live in a humid climate, an AC will cool more effectively.

Installation and operational space

Air coolers are extremely economical. They have no installation costs and are extremely portable. At just around 15 kg, air coolers can be shifted all across your home and cool any room you desire.

Air conditioners have their limitations when it comes to operational space. ACs are also expensive to install and they only operate in the room they’re set in.

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Energy consumption

Choosing an appliance that is energy efficient is imperative to spending low as far as power bills are concerned. When it comes to cooling technology, air coolers are a clear winner as they consume very little power.

ACs, on the other hand, can run you a very high bill if you’re not careful. Most air coolers require around 100- 200 electric wattage, whereas a 5 star 1.5 ton AC requires around 1,490 electric wattages.

Servicing and maintenance

In the case of air coolers, there is a lot of manual work required in the form of filling water, cleaning out the filters and replacing the cooling pads regularly. In the case of ACs, servicing has to be done by a professional and at regular intervals so that no damage is caused by the expensive components. The only servicing you can do by yourself is cleaning of the air filters and even that isn’t recommended as you can damage the filter holders.

Pay close attention to these details when deciding about your cooling solution this summer. After thorough consideration, ensure that you purchase your chosen AC or air cooler via No Cost EMIs. If you’re wondering how to apply for No Cost EMI, a simple answer is that you don’t need to. You visit the Bajaj Finserv portal, check your pre-approved offer and get started. On the contrary, you can also walk into your nearest partner store and avail in-store financing.