If you are shopping around for an AC, you are probably confused between 3 star AC vs 5 star AC.
Of course, if you have no budget constraint, you may not even think to buy anything less than 5 stars, as from our school days, we heard that more stars mean a better product.
The same goes true with ACs. But in a different way. 5-Star ACs may not be necessarily good, but those ACs will save more power than 3-Star ACs
To solve this confusion between 3-star AC and 5-star AC, we created this comprehensive article so that you can decide which one is better for you, according to your requirements.
But before we discuss it, we should understand what a star rating is. Let’s get into it.
What Is A Star Rating In AC?
First of all, the star rating does not apply only to ACs but to all similar appliances where power consumption is a deciding factor for consumers, such as ACs, Refrigerators, Washing machines, etc.
Star Rating is a parameter that gives an idea about how energy efficient an appliance is. It is derived from the AC’s cooling capacity and Energy Efficiency Ratio(EER). The higher the EER value, the higher the star rating.
Displaying star ratings on eligible appliances is a regulatory requirement, and every company should paste a sticker showing the value.
The scale is between 0 and 5. 0 stars indicate the least energy-efficient product, and 5 stars indicate the best energy-efficient product.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) controls this whole regulatory process. They regularly update their eligibility criteria, considering the latest developments in the appliance industry.
3 Star AC Vs 5 Star AC: Difference Between 3star And 5 Star AC
You might be wondering why we did not consider 4-star AC here.
First of all, you will hardly see 4-star ACs in the market. This is due to the polarising effect on 5-star ACs by the 4-star ACs, as the power saving difference is very marginal.
On the other hand, if you consider the 3 star AC vs 5 Star AC, there are about 25-30% more power saving in 5-star AC compared to a 3-star AC. Let’s understand this with a real-life example.
For this example, we have considered two products from the same brand, with the same technologies, but with different star ratings, so that it is easy for you to understand the difference.
3 Star Vs 5 Star AC Power Consumption
| Product | Star Rating | EER | Cooling Capacity | Power Consumption | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voltas 1.5 ton 5 star Vectra Prism AC | 5 Star | 5.00 | 4850 W | 751 Units | Rs 33390 |
| Voltas 1.5 ton 3 star Vectra Prism AC | 3 Star | 3.81 | 4800 W | 975 Units | Rs 38990 |
- Estimated Power Saving ( If you buy a 5-star AC)= 975-751= 224 Units
- Electricity rate per unit: Rs 5 ( Assumption)
- Per year saving on electricity = 224X5= Rs 1120
- Payback Period= 5000/1120= 4.56 years
The above 3 star vs 5 star AC power consumption calculator is derived assuming that you will run the AC for 8 hours per day for 8 months in a year.
So now you can see that if you buy a 5-star AC over a 3-star AC, you will need around 5 years to offset the additional cost you pay for the 5-star AC. This means that after 5 years, you will start getting savings.
You also need to consider that the 5-year payback period is only for the ideal case scenario. In actuality, it may take 7-8 years to offset the additional cost of a 5-star AC.
You can use the AC power consumption calculator to calculate the power usage for your AC.
3-Star vs 5-Star AC Power Consumption
Benefits Of 5 Star AC
The electricity saving. That is the most salient benefit of a 5-star AC. But is that the only benefit that 5-star ACs offer?
Not really. Most 5-star ACs come with more advanced features, such as an Inverter Motor, a Convertible option, multiple filters, and other advanced technologies, so consumers are tempted to buy them.
5-star ACs are costly, so companies earn more profit by offering them with all the bells and whistles rather than 3-star ACs.
Conclusion: Should You Buy A 5-Star AC Over A 3-Star AC?
Yes, only if your AC usage is more than 8 hours per day and you want to keep the AC for more than 5 years. Then, you can offset the additional cost that you would pay for a 5-star AC.
Otherwise, for casual usage, a 3-star AC is more cost-effective. However, you may not get many advanced features. So you need to choose between money and features, according to your budget and requirements.
