Split AC vs Window AC – Difference Explained!

Which AC should you buy for your home? A window AC, or a split AC?

Questions like these pop up in our mind before purchasing this large appliance. The competition of Split AC vs. Window AC is never-ending.

It’s slightly tricky to answer this question in one word since there are many positives & negatives facts of both the technologies.

However, as you are looking to gather information to ensure you go with the right one, I’m going to make it as easy as a cakewalk.

First off, welcome to Your Kitchen Arena, I am super excited to share all my expertise so that you won’t have to research and find elsewhere.

Further, in this article, you’d understand different types of AC, features, quality, power/performance efficiency, favored, pros, cons, and many other details. 

I am sure you will get the answers to all your questions, and you’ll be all set to make the right choice…

Split AC vs. Window AC Comparison Overview

Before we dig deep into the article, I would say if you have made up your mind and are only looking for a split unit, I would personally recommend this particular brand on Amazon. The reason being, it is highly reliable and comes with tons of exciting features which ensure the highest level of satisfaction.

And at the same time, if you are looking for a windows unit, you can consider this brand on Amazon. It is one of the most desirable appliances of every household.

Buying an AC is a huge investment one makes and expects it to work for years without interruption. Since you are reading this article, you are making your maximum effort to ensure you get the best product.

There are basically two types of Air Conditioners:-

1) Split AC

2) Window AC

The only difference between the two is, split AC has a couple of units (indoor & outdoor), whereas Window AC only has one unit.

Windows AC is installed in a window frame wherein the blower side is the room facing, and the other side for ventilation remains outside the room.

The indoor unit of Split AC gets installed inside the room connected via the external unit through the electric wire inside the copper pipeline.

Now, I have filtered some parameters based on which you can decide which one is an excellent fit.

Let’s dive right in:-

• The planned amount to purchase an AC is crucial.
• How well do you need the appliance power efficient? [ Star Ratings ]
• Is it going to work for more than 8 hours a day?
• Space available in your apartment/flat
• The capacity of the AC
• The brand that you’ll consider includes [ post-sales service, guarantee/warranty & service calls ]
• How well is it suiting the interiors in the room?
• Lastly, please make sure you are delighted with the product that you are purchasing.

So, these were the significant highlights & parameters which you’ll be able to relate.

Now, I’ll explain each of the above points and how they co-relate to both the technologies.

Let’s jump right in:-

1) Budget ( Price Planned )

This is something all of us tend to do in our buying journey; nevertheless, it helps a lot to expect what precisely we can get.

Nowadays, everyone prefers Split AC because of the advanced features & technologies. Considering the fact, Window AC turns out to be more economical.

The reason being, it used to trend a lot in the past. Now that there is a lot of competition in the market. Split AC comes with various convenient & useful features.

Window AC of 1 Star is the cheapest that you can get, whereas a Split AC with more high ratings would turn out to be slightly on the higher side.

To make it even simpler, if you have planned a certain amount to buy an AC, you can also refer to AC under 30000 list wherein you will see some great models of window & split inverter Air Conditioners.

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2) Power Efficiency [ BEE Ratings ]

So, there is a Star Rating of an electronic which is based upon the power efficiency ratio. The higher the star ratings, the more power efficient the device is.

As per the instructions from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency [ BEE ], every electronic manufacturer has to rate their appliance with Star Ratings and mention it on the device.

In other words, a 5 Star Window or Split AC is considered to be more power-efficient. Energy efficiency is basically about the cooling that an AC provides consuming per unit watt.

Hence, a 3-star Inverter AC is much more efficient than a 5 Star Non-Inverter AC. One more thing that matters a lot is the inverter technology. If you’d like to know more, please refer to the inverter AC vs. normal 5 Star AC guide, where you can find some in-depth information.

Manufacturers are focusing on Split AC with higher star ratings. Hence, you’d find less number of Window AC latest models.

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3) Understand your requirement

If your AC works more than 7-8 hours a day half of the year, I recommend you go with the 5 Star AC. Initially, you will pay extra for the device; however, it will result in many other benefits.

Firstly you’d save a decent amount of money every month on the electricity bills. You’ll also get a high-quality appliance with the best features.

If you think your AC would work less than 6-7 hours a day, then a 3 Star AC would also work. There’s no point in paying extra for an appliance, which isn’t used a lot, and it won’t even make a massive impact on the bills.

If you are going to take my opinion, I’d simply say, buy an appliance with more star ratings as it indeed results in money-saving.

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4) Availability of Space

Area constraint is the primary concern found in Indian households. The majority of the people live in apartments & flats. A few in congested streets as well.

Thereby, the concept of both technologies is entirely different.

Mostly the flat and apartment owners prefer Split AC. The split occupies a dedicated place for the indoor as well as the outdoor unit.

The external unit contains the compressor & condenser, which transfers the heat to the outside environment. In conclusion, Split AC takes more space than a standard Window AC.

Besides, a Window AC requires a vast window frame for the installation. It should also be close to the window for proper ventilation. 

In Split AC, you can even get the external unit installed on the rooftop. The pipes can be extended as per the requirements.

As a result, if you have enough space near a window and is easily accessible, you can go with Window AC. If not, then you can go with Split AC.

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5) Air Conditioner’s Capacity Requirement

Deciding the capacity before purchasing is very important; otherwise, you’ll make an irrelevant selection.

Four types of capacity are most selling in the market. 0.75 Ton, 1 Ton, 1.5 Ton & 2 Ton. Typically, 1,1.5 & 2 Ton is ideal for Indian families, which again depends on the room size & dimensions.

However, there are still a few things you can consider and will help to make the right choice.

• The bigger the room is, the more capacity you’ll need.
• The number of people accommodated in the room.
• If the room gets direct sunlight.
• Number of Windows in the room.
• The number of electronics in the room.

The above points not only help you decide the capacity but also helps to figure out the power consumption.

If the room is big and the electricity load is high, then it is advised to go with Inverter AC because it saves electricity. Basically, in non-inverter AC, the compressor keeps switching on & off itself through which the power consumption goes at peak.

Furthermore, it also helps in cooling the room faster and maintaining the desired temperature.

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6) Which Brand of AC should you go with?

In the market full of brands & varieties, it becomes slightly challenging to choose; however, I’d recommend you to go with a reliable brand.

As mentioned, AC is a considerable investment that needs to be recovered either way. A reliable brand will always take care of the user experience and convenience.

Things like post-sales service, guarantee, warranty, customer service, and product quality matter a lot.

I won’t list a brand here. Instead, I’d say go with a reputed brand and go through the reviews thoroughly before you make a final call.

Either way, you can also refer to the four best AC’s in India list to check out the top-rated brands based on user reviews & ratings.

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7) Convenience & Features of AC

The indoor unit of the Split AC doesn’t make noise because the external compressor unit is installed outside, which is where the entire process runs.

At the same time, Window AC makes a bit of noise because half of the operation is inside the room and half outside.

You should also look for some additional features such as sleep mode, high cool, timer & various modes which are most helpful. Generally, Split AC’s have all these features.

Also Read:- Aluminium Condenser vs Copper Condenser in AC

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Final Words

The above were all the things that you can keep in mind before you make a decision.

Let me share my opinion to make it even simple.

If you have budget constraints, then you can go with a Window AC.

If you use AC for hours, go for Inverter Split AC, which will help you save on power bills.

Lastly, if you would like to get more convenient features and best performance, a Split AC would be the best option for you.

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Conclusion:-

Thank you for reading the complete guide which was all about the comparision between Split AC vs Window AC , I hope you found it helpful and you got the answers for all your questions if you have any further doubts or questions. Feel free to type in the comment section below.

We, as a team, can do everything possible to make it the best experience for you.

Lastly, if you find this article helpful, I’d appreciate a like & a social share: )

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Last update on 2024-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API