Short answer on how to choose an AC: for most Indian bedrooms up to about 120–150 sq ft, a 1 ton split inverter AC is enough; rooms up to about 180–250 sq ft need 1.5 ton; bigger rooms, living rooms and hot top-floor rooms need 2 ton. Buy an inverter model, compare the ISEER number on the BEE label rather than only the stars, and budget for installation extras before you compare prices.
The rest of this guide explains each decision, what is easy to overpay for, and what to check before you order. Buying now, in the off-season, is fine — our best time to buy ACs, TVs and phones post covers timing separately.
Step 1: Match tonnage to your room, then adjust for heat
"Ton" is cooling capacity, not weight. Too small and the AC runs flat out without reaching your set temperature; too large and you pay more upfront for capacity you do not use.
Manufacturers publish slightly different room-size bands, so treat these as ranges, not exact rules:
| Room size | LG's guide | Haier's guide |
|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom | 1 ton up to 120 sq ft | 1 ton up to 150 sq ft |
| Medium room | 1.5 ton for 120–180 sq ft | 1.5 ton for 151–250 sq ft |
| Large room or hall | 2 ton for 180–240 sq ft | 2 ton for 251–400 sq ft |
Sources: LG India's capacity guide and Haier India's tonnage guide.
Where your room sits near the top of a band, the room's heat load decides it. Go up a size if several of these apply:
- Top floor or direct sun. LG advises going one size up for rooms on the top floor, facing direct sunlight, or in high-heat cities such as Delhi and Rajasthan.
- South- or west-facing windows. Haier suggests adding 10–20% capacity, and 10% more for high ceilings.
- More people. Haier adds about 0.1 ton for each person beyond two who regularly uses the room.
- Kitchens and appliance-heavy rooms need noticeably more capacity.
Haier's worked example shows how fast this adds up: a 180 sq ft south-facing room with a 10 ft ceiling and four people comes to about 1.9 tons, so a 2 ton AC. The same 180 sq ft room facing north on a lower floor would be comfortable with 1.5 ton.
Step 2: Buy inverter, and know what "convertible" means
An inverter AC has a variable-speed compressor that slows down once the room is cool; a fixed-speed (non-inverter) AC switches its compressor fully on and off to hold temperature. TCL India says inverter models are quieter and can save up to 30% electricity — a manufacturer figure, and actual savings depend on how long and how hard you run the AC.
In practice the choice is simple: nearly every split AC on our AC deals page is an inverter model, and a fixed-speed AC only makes sense for very occasional use where the lowest upfront price matters most.
"Convertible 5-in-1" or "6-in-1" modes let an inverter AC run at a capped share of its capacity (for example as a "1 ton" on a 1.5 ton unit) when the room is lightly used. Some brands also advertise peak capacity above the rated tonnage; LG, for example, says its convertible models can reach 109–124% of rated cooling depending on the model (LG). Treat these as useful flexibility, not a reason to buy a smaller AC than your room needs.
Step 3: Read the BEE label, not just the stars
Every room AC sold in India carries a Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) star label. The rating comes from the ISEER (Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), which measures efficiency across the range of outdoor temperatures Indian homes actually see — LG describes it as covering 24°C to 47°C (LG). Higher ISEER means less electricity for the same cooling.
What changed in 2026: BEE raised the thresholds from 1 January 2026. Explainers from Vijay Sales and LG describe the effect as a one-step shift: a unit that was 5-star under the old table is labelled 4-star now, an old 4-star becomes 3-star, and so on. Onida and Energypurse put the new 5-star cut-off for split ACs at an ISEER above 5.6.
What this means when you shop:
- Compare ISEER numbers directly. A "3 star" from old stock and a "3 star" 2026 model are not the same efficiency. The label also states its validity period — check it.
- Use the kWh/year figure for running cost. The label shows annual energy use on a standard 1,600 hours a year (LG). Multiply the difference between two models by your electricity tariff to see what the extra efficiency is worth to you.
- 5 star pays back only with heavy use. If the AC runs most nights for six or more months a year, a 5-star model's lower kWh usually justifies its higher price. For a guest room used a few weeks a year, 3 star is usually the sensible choice.
Our explainer on BIS, ISI and BEE star labels covers the other appliance labels you will see.
Step 4: Check the parts that cost money later
These rarely show up in the headline price but matter over 8–10 years of ownership.
Compressor and product warranty
The long warranty headline usually applies to the compressor alone. LG, for example, offers 10 years on its inverter compressor, applicable only to the compressor, and says the comprehensive product warranty varies by model (LG). Read exactly what the long warranty covers (compressor only, or also the PCB and gas refill) on the brand's warranty page before paying for an extended plan. Our extended warranty guide explains when extra cover is worth it.
Installation extras
"Free installation" covers a defined standard job. Daikin India's published scope, for example, includes mounting both units, one hole in a brick wall, the supplied 3 m copper pipe and interconnect cable, a drain pipe and commissioning. Extra piping, a stand, extra wiring, core-cutting thick walls and electrical work are charged separately — Daikin lists extra refrigerant piping at ₹1,298 per metre and a standard L-type stand at ₹944, both including GST (Daikin India FAQ). Digit reports LG's extra copper piping at ₹1,050 per metre and shows how a few such items can add several thousand rupees to the bill.
Before buying, measure the distance between where the indoor and outdoor units will go. If it is more than about 3 metres, add the extra piping to your price comparison, and ask the technician for an itemised estimate.
Voltage stabiliser
Some brands, such as Haier, say their wide voltage protection makes a stabiliser unnecessary in most homes. Daikin's installation scope still lists a stabiliser as the customer's item where voltage fluctuates, and notes the AC may stop to protect itself during large swings. If your area has frequent voltage drops, check the model's stated voltage range on its spec sheet and ask the brand whether a stabiliser affects warranty.
Refrigerant, coil and coating
TCL notes that modern inverter ACs use refrigerants such as R32, with better cooling capacity and lower environmental impact. The spec sheet also lists the condenser coil material (copper or aluminium); if you live near the sea, ask about anti-corrosion coating on the outdoor unit — Daikin lists it outside the standard installation scope.
Quick checklist before you order
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Room size and heat | Tonnage from Step 1, one size up for top floor or west sun |
| Type | Split inverter for regular use |
| Efficiency | ISEER and kWh/year on the 2026 label, not just stars |
| Warranty | Compressor years, and what else is covered |
| Installation | Pipe length included, cost per extra metre, stand |
| Power | Voltage range; stabiliser needed in your area? |
| Price | Unconditional price vs bank-offer price |
When you have a shortlist, compare like with like — same tonnage, same star year. Our AC deals page shows the latest checked listings with tonnage and star rating in the title; for example, you can put a Voltas 2026 1.5 ton 3 star beside a Daikin 2026 1.5 ton 5 star and weigh the price gap against the kWh difference on each label. These are examples to compare, not recommendations; check the current price on the store. Use the price tracker to see whether a "sale" price is actually lower than recent prices we checked.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 1.5 ton AC enough for a 150 sq ft room?
Yes, in most cases. 150 sq ft sits at the top of LG's 1 ton band and inside its 1.5 ton band, so 1.5 ton is the safer choice if the room gets afternoon sun, is on the top floor or has three or more people. A shaded room with one or two people can manage with 1 ton.
Is a 3 star AC from 2026 the same as an older 3 star?
No. BEE raised the ISEER thresholds from 1 January 2026, so a 2026 3-star unit is roughly as efficient as an older 4-star one. Compare the ISEER number and kWh/year printed on the label.
Should I buy a 5 star or a 3 star AC?
If you run the AC for many hours most days through a long summer, the 5-star model's lower annual kWh usually covers its higher price over a few years. For occasional use, a 3-star inverter is usually better value.
Does free installation include everything?
No. It usually covers a standard job with about 3 m of copper pipe. Extra piping, stands, wiring and civil work are charged; Daikin, for example, lists ₹1,298 per extra metre of piping including GST.
Do I need a stabiliser for an inverter AC?
Not always. Some brands say their inverter ACs handle a wide voltage range, but if your area has frequent large fluctuations, check the model's voltage range and ask the brand before skipping one.
