Difference Between 3 Star and 5 Star AC - Which AC is Better to Buy?

Sweltering heat, sweaty palms, and a constant feeling of discomfort are the hallmarks of the Indian summer season. The best way to survive the heat without breaking into a sweat is to install an AC in your home. While there are many options in the market, buying a new AC may not be easy.

You must consider many factors, such as budget, capacity, cooling speed, and the star rating. If you are unsure whether to choose a 5-star or a 3-star AC, you must understand the difference to make an informed choice.

Understanding Star Rating System

Let us first understand the significance of the star rating system in an AC

The star ratings range from 1 to 5 stars. In simple words, the star rating system signifies the energy efficiency of an AC. The higher the star rating of the AC, the more energy-efficient it is. The BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) assigns a star rating to all electronic appliances to help buyers understand their energy efficiency.

While deciding the star rating, BEE considers two important things:

1.      How much cooling does the AC generate inside the room?

2.      How much power does the AC use to cool the room?

For example, an AC that has a 5-star rating will cool your room more efficiently and consume lesser energy compared to an AC with a 3-star rating.

All ACs have a BEE star rating sticker on the front, and it is indicated by stars with a red background. If all the stars have a red background, then the AC has a 5-star rating, and if only three stars are coloured, it means it is a 3-star AC.

Understanding the difference between 3-star and 5-star Ac

●Higher cooling capacity

An air conditioner’s cooling power is expressed in BTU (British Thermal Units). An AC with a 5-star rating performs better in terms of cooling the room faster than a 3-star AC.

 ●Higher energy savings

An AC with a 5-star rating consumes up to 28% less energy, making them better suited for extensive usage throughout the year. Additionally, these ACs produce less heat than 3-star ACs and use lesser wattage to achieve the same level of cooling as a 3-star AC in the same amount of time.

How to Calculate AC Power Consumption?

To calculate the electricity usage of your air conditioning system correctly, you must have the following information.

·The KW (kilowatt) of the AC. You can easily find this mentioned on the AC

·The total time you keep the AC switched on during a day

·The cost of 1 unit of electricity is fixed by the power service in your area. It may vary based on the power service you have and your locality. Let us assume, the per-unit cost of electricity in your area is Rs. 5 per unit.

Once you have the above information, you can use the following formula to calculate the AC power consumption.

Units of electricity consumed per month = KW of the AC x daily run time of the unit x no of days in a month

Let’s assume you run your 1.5 kW AC for 8 hours a day. So, the total power consumption of the AC as per the above formula will be 1.5 x 8 x 30 = 360 units in a month.

Now to calculate the power consumption cost of the AC, you can multiply the units used per month x the cost of one unit, i.e., 360 x 5 = Rs. 1800/-[VK1] 

Therefore, This simply means that your electricity bill for the month is Rs 1800/- 

The table below will give you a clear idea of the difference in the power consumption of a 5-star and 3-star AC based on their capacity.

Factors that Impact Electricity Consumption in AC 

Numerous factors can affect AC power consumption. A few important ones are-

·Air Conditioner Type

·Outside temperature

·Room Size of the room

·Number of electrical appliances running in the room

Final decision: 3-Star or 5-Star AC? 

You should buy the type of AC that suits your needs. Both 3-star and 5-star ACs have their own set of advantages. Therefore, it all boils down to personal priorities like budget, climate, etc. You can settle for a 3-star AC if you plan to use the AC sporadically.

On the contrary, go for the 5-star AC if you live in an area that has extreme temperature, where you may need to keep the AC running for a long duration of hours.

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