An air cooler or an air conditioner are two primary alternatives for cooling your home during the sweltering summer months.
Although both appliances are made for chilling the air in your house, they operate in quite different ways. We’ll examine the variations between air coolers vs. air conditioners in this piece and assist you in selecting the one that best suits your requirements.
Before we dive into the differences between air coolers and air conditioners, let’s first define what they are and how they work.
Air Cooler vs Air Conditioner
What is an Air Cooler?
Although many people mistake air conditioners for air coolers, they are two entirely different kinds of machines. Because air coolers lack complicated parts or gas, they are more compact and less expensive than air conditioners.
They function by drawing in the heat outside air that has already been through a unit’s damp honeycomb filter. The team has a cold-water tank that maintains the moist honeycomb filter. As the water evaporates, the unit’s air cools and is circulated by an internal fan.
What is an Air Conditioner?
Air conditioners resemble refrigerators in many ways, but they blow air around the room rather than sealing in the cold air.
Air conditioners use refrigerant gas to cool the warm air in a room, and internal fans circulate the newly cooled air. They must use an exhaust pipe to evacuate the heated air outdoors (often through a window, ventilation shaft, or designated path).
The Key Differences between air coolers and air conditioners:
- Unlike air conditioners, which must be vented, air coolers don’t need any outside ventilation.
- The optimal location for air coolers is close to an open door or window.
- Compared to an air cooler, air conditioners have a much greater ability to reduce the temperature.
- The majority of air coolers double as humidifiers.
A Detailed Comparison Between Air Cooler vs Air Conditioner:
The details above highlight the fast comparison and differences between the two electrical appliances—air conditioners and air coolers. The following are the details that distinguish air conditioners from air coolers:
1. Economical Range:
Air coolers are affordable and come in a variety of price ranges. On the other hand, air conditioners cost a little more. While an air cooler can be purchased for anywhere between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 20,000, the average price of an AC starts at Rs. 20,000.
2. Installation Requirements:
Unlike air conditioners needing professional installation assistance, air coolers do not. For an air conditioner to be installed correctly, it requires complete professional service and the proper setup inside and outside the space.
3. Maintenance Cost:
Air coolers demand nothing in the way of maintenance expenses. Air conditioners require higher maintenance expenditures because they have far more sophisticated features.
4. Features:
Undoubtedly, air conditioners have mid-range, high-range, and advanced-level characteristics. Air conditioners have built-in sensors, humidifiers, filters, dust cleaners, and other features. In contrast, although they may have some features, air coolers are not produced or constructed using advanced technology on a par with air conditioners.
5. Environment Friendly:
Unlike air conditioners, which produce large amounts of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), air coolers do not have carbon emissions. Additionally, air coolers are recommended as a treatment for patients with breathing problems.
6. Effectiveness:
In contrast to air conditioners, which function correctly in humid locations or situations, air coolers do not. Even in sticky situations, air conditioners can work efficiently.
7. Electricity Consumption:
To cool the room, air conditioners use more electricity and power. The explanation combines the cooling capacity, weight, features, and other factors. When comparing air coolers to air conditioners, the latter uses less electricity and doesn’t raise your electricity costs.
8. Comfort Level:
Air conditioners provide more comfort by quickly cooling a room, hallway, or other desired location. On the other hand, air coolers only slowly chill the space.
9. Seasonal Use:
Modern air conditioners are constructed with cutting-edge features and can be utilised year-round. Depending on the needs, they can cool or heat the space. Air coolers, however, can only be used during the summer.
What should you consider when purchasing an air conditioner?
What Size Room You Are Cooling:
First, you must understand BTU to choose the best air conditioner for your room. British Thermal Units (BTUs) are a measurement used to assess an appliance’s capacity for cooling or heating (in the case of an air conditioner).
Generally speaking, we suggest you choose an air conditioner with a minimum BTU rating of 7000, as this is the most minor needed to cool even a small room (18 sq m) on a hot day. Larger spaces (36 sq/m) need about 15000 BTUs, whereas medium-sized rooms (24 sq/m) need about 9000 BTUs.
A 9000 BTU air conditioner is a good option for most family homes because it has enough power to effectively cool living rooms, bedrooms, and common areas without draining your bank account.
Energy Efficiency And Running Costs:
The model’s energy efficiency rating should be your second concern concerning operating costs. The operating costs decrease as the rating rises. The most economical rating is A++, while the least economical is G. A higher-quality model may initially cost a little bit more, but it will save you a tonne of money.
Your Budget:
While you may dream of a house with a sophisticated air conditioning system, you should consider your financial situation before making any decisions. Compared to air coolers, air conditioners are more expensive to buy and use more electricity over time.
Key Features and Functions:
Consider an air conditioner’s main attributes and capabilities when buying one. How significant is a timer to you? Would you like to have remote access so you can manage your air conditioner from a distance? Before you decide, consider how significant these unique traits are to you.
Where Do You Plan To Place The Unit?
And finally, think about where you want to put your unit. The ventilation will determine your air conditioner’s placement because it needs to be close to a window or vent.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Air coolers can be utilised in humid environments, but their efficiency may differ from air conditioners.
Many air conditioners feature a “heat” setting that enables them to serve as heaters in the winter.
Because air coolers consume less energy and don’t need refrigerants, they are typically considered more environmentally friendly than air conditioners.
A: While it is technically possible to utilise both devices in the same space, it might not be advantageous or necessary. It’s often preferable to select just one cooling unit.
If you use your air cooler or air conditioner frequently or live in a dusty or humid area, it is advised that you clean it more regularly—at least twice a year.
Conclusion:
So, which is preferable—air cooler vs. air conditioner? Your own needs and tastes will determine the response. An air cooler could be the best solution if you’re searching for a low-cost, energy-efficient way to chill a small area.
An air conditioner, however, might be a better choice if you need to cool a larger room or reside in a region with high humidity levels.
