Air cooler vs Air conditioner- Which one you should buy

I know you are not the only one confused about which one to choose from, should you buy an air cooler or spend a little more and get a nice Air Conditioner.

Choosing an air conditioner or a cooler is a tricky task. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages and the choice depends on factors such as your budget, the expected usage, your location, etc. Air coolers are cheaper than air conditioners (ACs) but their effectiveness depends on the climate and humidity levels where you live.

As far as cooling is concerned, ACs are better equipped to handle extreme temperatures. But when it comes to cost-effectiveness, an air cooler that uses less energy is preferable for those who want to save money in the long run.

in spite of knowing all these factors on a high level, anyone facing Indian heat and planning to buy an air cooler or air conditioner will still have to go through this dilemma. No worries, that is why we are here, in this article we are going to cover the pros and cons of each one of them to make your decision much easier.

The cost factor

Air conditioner:

This is a high-cost appliance but necessary when you live in a humid areas where traditional air coolers will not work thanks to humidity. The average cost of an AC ranges from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 and above depending on its tonnage, type, cooling capacity, and brand name among other factors.

Keep in mind that an Air conditioners consume more electricity than air coolers. Because they need to generate cold air using a compressor that requires electricity, air conditioners consume more energy than air coolers that use a natural process for cooling air.

Air cooler:

This is a low-cost appliance. An air cooler is a fraction of the cost of an air conditioner. Those who want to buy an air cooler can invest in one that has a good tank capacity and cooling capacity. The price of an air cooler can range between Rs.6000-and 10000. You can also purchase an evaporative air cooler for Rs. 10,000 or above.

Although both both appliances have their pros and cons when it comes to electricity consumption, if your goal is to reduce electricity consumption and save money then an AC is not the best choice for you because it will only increase your monthly electricity bill.

If you are convinced of an air cooler, below are the top 3 recommendations from our end.

Climate Type

India is a large country with varied climate conditions. The climate can be broadly classified into 4 types:

Tropical Hot & Humid (Coastal areas), Dry (North-western part of India), Sub-Tropical (Northern Hilly region), and Tropical Continental (North-eastern states).

As Air Coolers are dependent on temperature, the climate type is one of the most important factors in deciding on an Air cooler vs Air conditioner. If you live in areas with high humidity levels then it is better to opt for an AC instead of an Air Cooler as hot & humid weather will reduce the cooling efficiency of the cooler and create a damp environment inside the room.

However, if you live in a moderate climate, an air cooler will be more effective than an air conditioner as it takes less power as compared to an AC and also saves on your electricity bill.

well, if you have made up your mind, we recommend these three best Air conditioners for you. You can also refer to our article on the Best Air Conditioner in India for the best recommendations.

Hot Climate: Cities like Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi fall under this category. These cities have very high temperatures during most of the year and hence it is better to install a good air conditioner as compared to an air cooler.

Moderate Climate: Cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad come under this category. The best way to decide here will depend on your budget and personal preference. If you have ample cash to buy an air conditioner, go for it otherwise an air cooler will also do well in these places as the temperature is not that high as compared to hot climate cities.

Air cooler vs Air conditioner health Impact

The major difference between the two is that while an AC takes out hot air from the room and replaces it with filtered cool fresh air, an AC pushes out cool compressed gas which results in dryness of the skin and throat. The AC takes away moisture from the surrounding which can result in dry lips, cracked heels, dry skin, etc. This may also cause breathing problems for people who have asthma because of its ability to extract moisture from the surrounding.

On the other hand, an air cooler does not take out hot air or any moisture from within a room; rather it adds humidity to it. So when you switch on an AC, you will feel as if you are in a desert – dry and parched – but when you switch on an air cooler you will notice that your skin is moist and soft because of its ability to add humidity

An Air Cooler Needs To Be Filled With Water Every Now and Then

Electricity consumption

There is absolutely no doubt that an air cooler will consume less electricity units and will be lighter on your pocket and in some instances almost 80% Less. But there is a catch here that we need to discuss here.

The air conditioner is more efficient per wattage of cooling. An air cooler is used to lower the temperature in the room by cooling down the air and making it feels comfortable. Whereas an air conditioner cools down the air inside a room and maintains the temperature at the desired level by controlling humidity, dust, odor, etc.

In terms of power consumption, Air conditioners are more efficient per wattage of cooling and as compared to Air coolers it will consume less electricity for the same level of cooling.

Portability

The portability of air coolers is very important to consider. This factor also helps in deciding whether the air cooler is suitable for your use or not. Air coolers are found in various sizes and shapes; some are too large and heavy, whereas some are portable and light-weighted.

For those who are looking for a portable cooling solution, air coolers have an upper hand over air conditioners. While large air cooler models weigh up to 15 kg, they can be easily carried around and installed in any room. On the other hand, air conditioners are too bulky and heavy that you cannot carry them around easily.

You need to choose that air cooler that can easily be moved from one place to another without any hassle. If you want a good air cooler then check the weight of it before buying it.

Bottom line, if portability is your biggest concern, go with an air cooler, but if you think may still want to with an air conditioner I would suggest going with Window ACs, they are more portable and easy to install compared to Split ACs.

Room Size

The first and most important thing to see while buying any of the two is the room size. The air conditioner has a cooling capacity of up to 900-1200 watts while an air cooler has a cooling capacity of up to 180 watts, which means that the AC covers a much larger area than an air cooler. If you have a big room, then an AC can be a better option for you and if you have a small room or office cabin then opt for an air cooler.

Last update on 2024-10-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API