Cooler vs AC – Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re thinking about getting an air conditioner rather than an air cooler, you’ve come to the right place. Although we can’t which one suits your lifestyle, we can certainly help you make an informed decision. Decide for yourself after reading this article about which one suits your budget, temperature needs, and the type of climate you live in.

Difference Between an Air Cooler and Air Conditioner

We’ve made a table listing out the features and differences between air coolers and air conditioners. Take a look.

Air Conditioner vs Air Cooler – Which Is Better?

When summer rolls by and the heat becomes unbearable, only one thought crosses your mind – air conditioner or air cooler? If that sounds like you, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

Getting to the debate of air cooler versus air conditioner, here’s everything you need to know.

1. Price

An air cooler starts at Rs 3,000/unit while an air conditioner starts at Rs 25,000/unit. If you’re looking at the price tag alone, you will realise that air conditioners are expensive. We’d say go for a cooler if you’ve got a tight budget.

2. Space and Power Consumption

Another thing to keep in mind is the space and power consumption. Air conditioners use up a lot of electricity which means your electricity bills will be higher. However, with air coolers, you can cut down the costs by up to 80%!

3. Maintenance

Maintenance is another point you should consider when you’re thinking of getting an AC or cooler. You literally have to use up to 10 buckets of water for an air cooler and fill it up every day before using it. You don’t face this issue with air conditioners though since all they need is a bit of servicing from time to time.

4. Functioning

An evaporative cooler and an air conditioner have differences in the way they work. Air coolers take in hot water, pass it through wet absorbent pads, and cool the air. You have to fill them up to the capacity with water to be able to use them. On the other hand, air conditioners use a chemical coolant to condition the air and alter its temperature. Unlike an air cooler which simply cools the air to a certain degree, air conditioners make the air condition more favourable by providing facilities for customisation of the temperature and humidity.

The second difference in this regard is how they’re installed. You can literally prop up an air cooler anywhere in your room as long as there’s a power outlet. These days you get ultra-portable air coolers with a 1-litre capacity which can fit on the study table or desk. But an air conditioner doesn’t do that; they can’t be moved around. You need a wall and a window for installing it, and after you install, the only way to transfer it is to unmount the whole unit, dismantle, repack, and take it elsewhere. You can’t plug air conditioners in and out and carry them in your hands.

5. Climate

Air coolers don’t really work well in humid climates. Because that’s just how they are designed. Air conditioners are a different story altogether. They are quite favourable in humid conditions and the best part is that you can even heat up the rooms during winters since heating is included in their functionality and design.

6. Effect on the Environment

Air coolers cool the air by passing hot air through them. But air conditioner models use CFLs for the coolant which is harmful to the environment. The hot air pumped out by the compressor gets released outdoors, and the cool air comes internally from the unit into the room. This makes air conditioners a lot less eco-friendly than their cooler counterparts.

Now that you’ve learned about the differences between an air conditioner and air cooler, it’s time to go shopping if you’re in the mood for that. Remember that pricier and bigger isn’t always better. Consider your lifestyle, how often you require cooling indoors, and also your budget. If your family members hardly stay at home, then an air cooler will do just fine, however, if you stay at home all day in a hot climate, maybe you should go for an air conditioner. Either way, both of them can do the job.

Also Read :

Ways to Clean Ceiling Fans in Your House
How to Organise a Fridge?
Tips to Clean Kitchen Appliances