Know the difference between 5 Star and 3 Star air conditioners
The hot Indian summer means only one thing - rising temperatures and increasing discomfort. To survive the summer heat without breaking a sweat, buying the best AC is a must. While you have several options to choose from, regularly using an AC can increase your monthly electricity bill. As a result, it is essential to pick an AC with a good Star rating. If you are wondering about the difference between 3 Star and 5 Star ACs, read on to get all the information at your fingertips.
What is the Star rating in ACs
The Star rating system depicts the energy efficiency of an electrical appliance. The higher the number of stars, the more efficient it is. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) India devised the Star rating system, with a range of 1 to 5 Star. This system ensured that commoners easily understood the energy efficiency of appliances.
A Star rating takes two parameters into account:
- The cooling capacity, which is a measure of its ability to cool a room, is expressed in British Thermal Units (BTU).
- The Energy Efficiency Rating (EER), which is the amount of cooling it can provide using a certain amount of power.
The highest Star rating of an air conditioner or any electronic device is 5, and the lowest Star rating is 1. Therefore, a 5 Star air conditioner will cool your room most efficiently. It means that a 5 Star AC will cool a particular room faster while using less electricity than a 3 Star AC.
How does knowing your AC’s Star rating help
An AC is not a one-time investment but has substantial recurring costs in monthly or bi-monthly electricity bills. In a country as hot as India, a high electricity bill that can derail your budget is always a possibility. A Star-rated appliance, like an AC, allows you to save on electricity costs.
Comparison between 3 Star and 5 Star ACs
The Star rating of an electrical appliance is quantified by the Energy Efficiency Rating (EER). A 3 Star AC has an EER that ranges between 2.9 to 3.09, and a 5 Star AC has an EER of 3.3 or above.
Benefits of 5 Star air conditioners
In monetary terms, the difference between a 3 Star and a 5 Star AC is that if the monthly electricity bill of a household with a 3 Star AC is Rs. 580, keeping all variables constant, a 5 Star AC will result in a bill of Rs. 500. Therefore, the total cost of ownership (TCO) of a 5 Star AC is lower in the long run than a 3 Star AC.
How much electricity does 3 Star and 5 Star ACs consume
One of the key differences between the two variants is their electricity consumption after installation. An air conditioner’s electricity consumption depends on its EER rating. 5 Star ACs are more energy-efficient than 3 Star ACs. The electricity consumption of a 5 Star AC (1.5 tons) is approximately 1.5 units per hour, whereas a 3 Star AC (1.5 tons) consumes 1.6 units every hour.
