1 Ton vs 1.5 Ton AC: Which One is Best for Your Home?
Want to get rid of hot and sunny weather? The best way to stay cool during these hot days is to turn on the AC and relax indoors. If you are in search of buying a new AC, the first question that comes in your mind is, should i choose a 1 ton or a 1.5 ton AC? Don’t worry, In this guide, we will go over the differences between 1 ton AC vs 1.5 ton AC’s, along with tips on which one you should choose.
Keep in mind that AC capacity is only one out of many factors that need to be considered when buying air conditioners. Today, we will mainly focus on the factor of AC capacity and power consumption, why it is important, and which air conditioner is suitable for your home.
1 Ton and 1.5 Ton AC? Do they Really Matter?
The capacity of air conditioners is measured in tonnes and it plays a significant role when choosing a new AC. It is important to choose the right AC capacity in order to cool rooms efficiently without spending too much electricity. The two main reasons why you need to look into 1 ton vs 1.5 ton AC include cooling efficiency and power consumption.
Here’s a simple example that will help you understand why these metrics are important. Both 1 ton and 1.5 ton air conditioners are designed for specific room sizes. If the air conditioner you choose is too large for your room, it will cool the space quickly, which is always a benefit. However, a larger air conditioner will spend more electricity and thus add more money to your energy bills. Besides, your larger ACs are more expensive and, if you don’t really need one, you don’t want to waste that extra money for no reason.
On the other hand, if the air conditioner you choose is too small for your room, it will need more time to cool the space, meaning it will also consume extra power. Whether you choose one or the other, the additional power consumption can take a toll on your electricity bills. That is why it is important to choose the right AC in order to save some money and cool the space efficiently.
The Main Things You Need to Consider When Making a Choice Between 1 or 1.5 Ton AC?
There are thousands of high quality air conditioners on the market but, before you can even consider buying one of them, you have to learn the most important things that should be kept in mind. We will start with the basic room size requirements for 1 ton and 1.5 ton air conditioners.
Room Size
Room size is the most important factor when it comes to choosing AC capacity. The bigger your room is, the more capacity you are going to need in order to get the right cooling results. If you are working with a small or average-sized room, 1 ton AC should be more than enough to get the job done.
However, anything over 120 square feet is considered a larger space, meaning it will require a 1.5 or 2 ton AC. Keep in mind that the amount of sunlight that enters the room can also play a role in the cooling process. The more sun enters the room, the slower the spaces is going to cool down.
Power Consumption
The room size and AC capacity ratio will affect the power consumption of the appliance. For instance, a 1.5 ton AC is going to consume less power per hour in a 100 square space compared to a 150 square space, simple because the AC will take longer to cool a larger space.
While it would be logical to conclude that a lower capacity AC generally uses less electricity, the truth is that the power consumption rates change in different settings. It all depends on whether you choose the right capacity AC in the right space. That’s another reason why you should look closely into these factors when shopping for air conditioners.
Star Rating
Every household appliance has a star rating. This metric is used to depict the energy efficiency of the appliance. In other words, the higher the star rating is, the more energy efficient the home appliance will be. Therefore, it is recommended to look for highly rated air conditioners, as those appliances will consume less power per hour.
Good energy efficiency is not only beneficial for the environment but it will also allow you to save some money on your bills. There is a big difference in quality and value between three and five star rated ACs and appliances in general. Therefore, be careful when you make the next purchase.
No of Households
You can also consider the number of household members when shopping for the new air conditioner. Namely, households with more than three or four members are more likely going to need air conditioning. In this case, it is especially important to look into power consumption rates and energy efficiency to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Price
Last but not least, pricing is a key factor that will affect your shopping decisions. We recommend creating an outline for a budget before you start looking into air conditioners. This is quite a big purchase for a household so you should set some budget limits to make sure you don’t go overboard.
However, keep in mind that you should not settle for an appliance because of its cheap price, as an AC like that will only cost you more in the future. Instead of opting for a low price and low quality, consider investing in a higher quality air conditioner to get the best value for your money.
When to Select a 1 Ton AC?
When discussing AC capacity in tons, one ton is equal to the amount of heat that is needed to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours. A one ton AC is rated at 12000 BTU, which is enough to efficiently cool a room of 100 to 120 square feet. Therefore, if you’re dealing with a space of similar size, a 1 ton AC should be sufficient to cool the area without consuming more electricity than necessary.
However, make sure to consider the amount of sunlight that enters the space. If the windows are directly facing the sun for a longer period during the day, chances are the AC will need more time to cool down the space. If this is the case for your room, consider opting for a stronger air conditioner.
Bottom line: You should select a 1 ton AC if you are dealing with a space of 100 to 120 square feet with low to moderate sunlight entering the room.
When to Select a 1.5 Ton AC?
If your room is larger than 130 square feet, you will need a 1.5 ton AC for adequate cooling. An air conditioner with a 1.5 ton capacity can cool spaces between 130 and 200 square feet. As these are more powerful appliances, they will be able to cool the room down even if there is some sunlight interfering with the temperature.
If you are still trying to decide which is better, 1 ton vs 1.5 ton AC, keep in mind that the best option depends on the size of your room and temperature conditions you are dealing with. Make sure to adjust the air conditioner’s capacity to room size before looking into any other features.
Bottom line: You should choose a 1.5 ton air conditioner for rooms of 130 to 200 square feet in size.
What About 2 Ton AC?
A typical 2 ton AC unit puts out 24000 BTUs and it is capable of cooling down larger spaces in short amounts of time. Air conditioners with a two ton capacity are definitely worth it for those who have rooms or open-floor spaces over 200 square feet. While it is not the most common choice for bedroom, a powerful 2 ton AC can come in handy in the hall or living room or even if you have a large master bedroom.
Bottom line: A 2 ton AC is suitable for spaces over 200 square feet. For anything over 300 square feet, look for even more powerful appliances with capacities of 2.5, 3, or more tons.
Is There any Alternative Option to Satisfy these Factors?
If you are open to investing in higher quality air conditioners, you should definitely look into alternative solutions such as adjustable ACs and air conditioners with a convertible mode. An adjustable air conditioner can run on different capacity levels depending on outside factors such as room size, number of people, and weather conditions.
These are technically more advanced air conditioners with features that allow the user to control the capacity in order to enable efficient cooling without wasting energy. The adjustable mode works by limiting the running frequencies of the inverter compressor to reduce power consumption. AC models like these are more convenient and more energy efficient, although they can cost a little bit more than classic ACs.
Recently Samsung and Voltas had launched these convertible AC’s which you can switch between 1 or 1.5 ton or even 2 ton depending upon the model you choose.
Summary
With summer just around the corner, it is important to get ready for the heat. However, you should not rush with your decision, especially when purchasing air conditioners. Make sure to purchase the AC with the right capacity between the 1 or 1.5 ton according to the room size
You can also consider investing in alternatives more advanced AC’s with an adjustable mode. With that said, keep in mind that 1 ton vs 1.5 ton power consumption rates will differ depending on the size of your space.
