Compare different types of air conditioners, their power consumption, specifications, and uses, as well as HVAC components and installation costs. Learn how to choose the right tonnage for your room and how to extend the lifespan of your AC.

I. Core Systems & Thermodynamics

Air Conditioning is not just about “creating cold”; it is the process of Heat Transfer based on the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Heat naturally flows from warmer to cooler areas; an AC unit uses energy to reverse this process.

Sensible Heat

The energy used to change the temperature of the air without changing its moisture content.

Latent Heat

The energy used to remove humidity (moisture) from the air, essential for comfort in tropical climates.

Air Exchange

Measured in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute), determining how quickly a volume of air is filtered and cooled.

II. Refrigeration Cycle Principle

Refrigeration Cycle Diagram

The “Phase Change” of a refrigerant from liquid to gas and back again is what allows for heat absorption and rejection.

1
Compression (The Heart): The compressor squeezes low-pressure refrigerant gas into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas.
2
Condensation (Heat Rejection): The hot gas flows through the outdoor coils. A fan blows air over the coils, releasing heat to the outside, turning the gas into a high-pressure liquid.
3
Expansion (The Chill): The liquid passes through an expansion valve, where pressure drops instantly, causing the temperature to plummet.
4
Evaporation (Cooling): Cold liquid flows through the indoor coils. Indoor air is blown over them; the refrigerant absorbs the heat, evaporates back into a gas, and the cycle repeats.

III. BTU Tonnage Calculator

Requirement
1.0 Ton
12,000 BTU/hr

IV. Professional AC Classification

Split AC System

A. Split (Ductless) AC Most Popular

$450 — $1,200*
  • Cooling Capacity: 0.8 – 2.5 Tons
  • Power Consumption: 700W – 1500W
  • Power Rating: 1-5 Stars (SEER)
  • Noise Level: 20 – 40 dB
  • Avg Units/hr: 0.9 – 1.5 kWh
Best for: Residential bedrooms and living rooms.
Note: Multi-split systems can run multiple indoor units from a single outdoor compressor.
Fact: Inverter splits save up to 30-50% energy compared to non-inverter models.
Window AC

B. Window AC Unit Budget Choice

$250 — $850
  • Cooling Capacity: 0.5 – 2.0 Tons
  • Power Consumption: 900W – 1800W
  • Noise Level: 50 – 65 dB
  • Avg Units/hr: 1.2 – 2.0 kWh
Best for: Small apartments or rental rooms where permanent installation isn’t allowed.
Note: Ensure your window frame is structurally sound; these units are heavy and vibrate during use.
Fact: Window units are “monoblock” systems, meaning all components are in one casing.
Portable AC

C. Portable AC Maximum Mobility

$300 — $750
  • Cooling Capacity: 0.5 – 1.5 Tons
  • Power Consumption: 1000W – 1400W
  • Portability: High (Wheels)
  • Avg Units/hr: 1.1 – 1.4 kWh
Best for: Temporary cooling or rooms without windows (using a vent kit).
Note: Always vent the exhaust hose outside, otherwise you are just moving hot air around the room.
Fact: Duel-hose models are significantly more efficient than single-hose models.
Cassette AC

D. Cassette AC Commercial

$900 — $2,800
  • Cooling Capacity: 1.5 – 4.5 Tons
  • Power Consumption: 1500W – 4000W
  • Air Spread: 4-Way Flow
  • Avg Units/hr: 2.0 – 4.5 kWh
Best for: Offices, showrooms, and large halls with false ceilings.
Note: Requires at least 10-12 inches of space above the ceiling for installation.
Fact: The 4-way airflow design ensures more uniform cooling than any wall-mounted unit.
Central AC

E. Central AC / HVAC Enterprise

$3,500 — $8,000+
  • Cooling Capacity: 3.0 – 20.0 Tons
  • Power Consumption: 3.5kW – 15kW+
  • System: Ducted Distribution
  • Avg Units/hr: 4.0 – 15.0 kWh
Best for: Entire buildings, luxury homes, and hotels.
Note: Duct maintenance and cleaning are vital; leaky ducts can waste 20% of cooling energy.
Fact: Central systems increase property value significantly compared to individual units.
Precision AC

F. Precision AC Data Center

$5,000 — $15,000+
  • Control: Precision +/- 1°C
  • Power Consumption: 5.0kW – 25kW
  • Duty: 24/7 Operation
  • Avg Units/hr: Continuous Load
Best for: Server rooms, laboratories, and sensitive industrial environments.
Note: Unlike comfort ACs, Precision ACs control humidity with extreme accuracy (Sensible Heat Ratio > 0.9).
Fact: These systems are designed for 8,760 hours of operation per year without shutdown.

V. Maintenance & Efficiency Guide

Filter Hygiene

Clean filters every 30 days to save 15% on power bills.

Coil Maintenance

Annual professional cleaning prevents compressor failure.

Drainage Check

Flush drain lines to avoid mold and water leakage.

VI. Engineering Performance Matrix

Configuration Efficiency Index Acoustic Impact Tech Type Asset Lifecycle
Split Inverter ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (18-28 SEER) 20-40dB Variable Speed 10-15 yrs
Window Unit ⭐⭐⭐ (10-14 SEER) 50-65dB Fixed Speed 8-12 yrs
Central HVAC ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (14-20 SEER) 30dB (Indoor) Duct-based 15-20 yrs
Precision AC ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Continuous) 45-60dB Precision Logic 10-15 yrs

Professional Resource HVAC Engineering Standards. Data verified against AHRI and ISO performance benchmarks.