Buying your first AC
in India — the guide

Seven things first-time buyers should check

• Split or window decides everything else. A split is quieter (31–32 dB vs 54–56 dB) and the Indian default, but needs wall drilling, outdoor-unit space and paid installation. A window unit is cheaper and simpler — one wall opening, and it can move out with you.
• Renting? Ask the landlord before drilling for a split. Window units — or a split installer who reuses existing holes — are the renter-friendly route.
• Read the BEE star label, not the ads. The energy label's star rating and ISEER number are the honest efficiency signal — a 5-star uses roughly a quarter less power than a 3-star of the same size. Check the label year too: star rules tighten every few years.
• Inverter is the default now. Nearly every split sold today is inverter-driven — the real choice is the star rating, not inverter vs non-inverter. Fixed-speed survives mainly in budget window units.
• Check if you need a stabiliser. Many current models list a wide operating voltage range ("stabiliser-free operation") — check the box. In areas with hard voltage swings, a stabiliser still protects the compressor.
• Right-sized beats over-sized. An oversized AC cools fast but shuts off before drying the air — cold and clammy. Undersized runs nonstop through a heatwave and never keeps up. That's why sizing comes first.
• Budget the installation. Split installation is usually a separate charge (listing pages say "paid installation") plus copper piping beyond the included length. Ask the total before you buy — and snap a photo of the installation spot.