AC vs Cooler Power Consumption: Everything You Need to Know
AC ServicingAC ServicingAC vs Cooler Power Consumption: Which One Is Better for You?
When summer temperature rises, most Indian households face the same question – AC vs Cooler, which one is better for your electricity bill? National Family Health Survey(NFHS)-5 tells us that about 24% of Indian households own Air Conditioners and Air Coolers, where the AC industry is growing at 20–25% year-on-year, with sales hitting record volumes and the lower and middle classes increasingly buying coolers. We are here to help you make an informed and better decision.
Understanding How an AC and Air Cooler Work
Before comparing AC and Cooler Power Consumption, let’s understand how both appliances work.
Air Conditioner
An Air Conditioner uses a refrigerant and a compressor system to remove heat from indoors and release it outside, effectively working as a heat pump. It cools the room and maintains a precise temperature regardless of the humidity levels or temperature outside.
Air Cooler
An Air Cooler works on evaporative cooling by pulling warm air through water-soaked, porous pads. As the warm air passes through these wet pads, water evaporates, absorbing heat and lowering the air temperature. A fan then circulates this cooled, humidified air throughout the room. It works best in dry climates.
The difference in technologies and the workings is the reason why the power consumption varies between AC and Air Cooler.
AC vs Cooler Power Consumption: Actual Electricity Usage
The following is a comparison of electricity consumption
| Appliance | Average Usage | Units per hour |
| 1.5 Ton AC | 1,200 to 2,000+ watts | 1.2- 1.8 units |
| 1.5 Ton Inverter AC | 900- 1500 watts | 0.8- 1.3 units |
| Cooler | 50-250 watts | 0.1- 0.3 units |
From the table above, we can clearly see that the Power Consumption between AC and Cooler is not even close. An air conditioner consumes nearly 5-10 times more electricity than a cooler.
In case you’re wondering, “Does Cooler consume more electricity than AC?” The answer is NO. A cooler consumes way less electricity.
Meanwhile, “Does AC consume more electricity than a cooler?” YES, absolutely.
AC vs Cooler Electricity Consumption
A Cooler uses remarkably less electricity, i.e., about 80-300 watts, than an AC, which uses about 1,000-2,000+ watts. This is because coolers depend on water evaporation, which makes them energy efficient and cheaper than an AC, though an AC provides powerful cooling even in humidity. Let’s understand this with an example:
If we use it for approx 8 hours daily for a month:
-
1.5 Ton AC
1.5 units x 8 hours x 30 days = 360 units per hour
-
Cooler
0.2 units x 8 hours x 30 days = 48 units per hour
From the above example, we can clearly see the huge difference between AC and cooler electricity consumption, where an AC consumes way more power than a cooler, leading to much higher bills, which becomes a deciding factor for many budget-conscious buyers.
Cooler vs Inverter AC Electricity Consumption
Many people assume that if they use an Inverter AC, they are saving a lot of money, which is partially correct if compared to a normal AC, but not entirely correct if compared to a Cooler. Inverter ACs are efficient but not efficient enough compared to Coolers, having a huge and clear gap in power consumption.
Unlike conventional air conditioners, which cycle the compressor on and off at full power, an Inverter Air Conditioner uses a variable-speed compressor that is controlled by an electronic inverter to continuously adjust its cooling capacity. This results in energy savings, quieter operation, and more stable temperatures, but it still uses significantly more electricity than a Cooler. Understanding the difference between inverter and non-inverter AC can help you make a more informed choice.
Thus, in the case of Cooler vs Inverter Aircon electricity consumption, coolers remain the more budget-friendly option.
Cooling Performance vs Power Consumption
Its crucial to consider more than just electricity consumption when comparing cooler vs AC power consumption. Even though a cooler obviously uses less electricity, factors like climate, room conditions, and cooling quality are important when choosing the right AC capacity for your needs.
When an AC Is a Better Choice
Air conditioners work best in situations where performance is valued over cost in terms of the number of units.
- Humid Regions: In humid areas, coolers are less effective as they use evaporative cooling, which does not work well in moist air. Here, AC is the most effective as it removes humidity from the room, making the environment comfortable in the room.
- Precise Temperature Control: While using AC, you can set the exact temperature you wish, like 22° or 25°, whereas coolers do not have this feature. This matters in the case you prefer consistent cooling.
- Stronger and Faster cooling: Air Conditioners cool rooms much quicker, even in peak summer heat.
- Closed spaces: AC works best in closed spaces as they circulate air efficiently and maintain consistent cooling all around the enclosed space.
Furthermore, it’s clear what the AC vs cooler power consumption indicates, but the comfort level is much higher.
When a Cooler Is a Better Choice
In the case that saving energy costs is your priority, then an air cooler can be your solution.
- Dry Climate Areas: In the regions with dry heat, coolers work very well, it provides effective cooling without heavy electricity usage.
- Lower Electricity Bills: If we look strictly from an electricity consumption point of view, coolers use 5-10 times less power than AC, making it budget-friendly. For those looking to minimize costs, exploring energy-efficient air conditioners with high star ratings can also help.
- Fresh Air Circulation: where AC’s recirculate indoor air, coolers circulate fresh air from outside, pulling it indoors. Thus, improving ventilation.
- Semi- Open Spaces: Coolers work well in semi-open spaces, like in a room with windows slightly open, or semi-outdoor spaces. AC’s don’t work in such spaces.
When comparing coolers and AC or Inverter AC power consumption, coolers prove to be highly efficient.
In the AC vs Cooler power consumption debate, it is clear that the winner is the cooler. Considering that it is more energy efficient than AC. However, in terms of cooling efficiency, it is evident that the AC is better than the cooler.
So, it is a matter of what you want to prioritize: lower electricity costs or better cooling efficiency.
If you’re looking for ways to save on power costs, then a cooler is the way to go.
Maximizing your comfort, particularly during humid weather, AC use justifies the increased electric consumption.
Long-Term Cost Consumption
Starting Price
- AC: More expensive to buy and install.
- Cooler: Easy to install and reasonably priced.
Maintenance
- AC: Needs regular professional servicing, gas refilling when needed, and periodic maintenance
- Cooler: Low maintenance; just replace the water and clean the pads
Final Decision: Which Should You Pick?
Air Coolers are clearly more cost-effective than air conditioners when it comes to power consumption, especially if electricity bills are your main concern.
However, an air conditioner is worth the higher consumption if comfort, powerful cooling, and humidity control are more important for you. If you’re still deciding, you might want to compare window AC vs split AC to see which type suits your needs better.
Therefore, the best option for your climate, financial situation, and cooling requirements will determine whether to use an air conditioner or a cooler.
Additional AC Power Consumption Guides
At NoBroker, we help you understand the power consumption of different types of air conditioners. Our guides provide clear insights on energy usage for window ACs, split ACs, and various ton capacities, helping you choose an energy-efficient AC and reduce electricity bills.
Explore our resources to make informed decisions about your cooling needs.
Professional AC Services Across India
If you’re experiencing common AC problems or need expert help, NoBroker offers comprehensive AC repair and installation services across major cities.
Our verified technicians provide split AC installation and repairs in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Noida, and other metro cities.
Whether you need window AC installation, AC cleaning services, water leakage repair, or gas refilling charges information, our team is ready to help. We also provide services for all major brands including Daikin, Voltas, LG, and Samsung.
AC vs Cooler Power Consumption: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does an air cooler use more electricity than an air conditioner?
Ans- No, compared to air conditioners, air coolers use a lot less electricity.
2. Does air conditioning use more electricity than a cooler?
Ans- Indeed. Generally speaking, an air cooler uses 5-10 times less power than an air conditioner.
3. How much electricity does an air conditioner use as compared to an air cooler?
Ans- Compressors and refrigerants are used by air conditioners, which increases electricity consumption. Coolers use water evaporation, which uses a lot less energy.
4. Do coolers and inverter AC’s use different amounts of power?
Ans- Yes. Compared to air coolers, even inverter air conditioners use a lot more electricity.
5. How much power does a 1.5 Ton AC consume as compared to a cooler?
Ans- While an air cooler uses about 0.1 to 0.3 units per hour, a 1.5 ton air conditioner uses about 1.2- 1.8 units in the same time. Thus, in AC vs air cooler electricity consumption, an AC can be seen using anywhere near 5-10 times more the amount of electricity than a cooler.
6. Which is better: an inverter AC or an Air Cooler in terms of power consumption?
Ans- Inverter AC’s save more units of power as compared to normal AC’s, yet in the comparison of inverter AC vs coolers’ electric consumption, it is seen that coolers consume much less electric energy.
7. Which is cheaper to use daily, AC or a cooler?
Ans- From the point of view of the usage of electricity, AC vs air coolers, air coolers are much cheaper for use over a longer period of time.
8. Does the room size affect the amount of power used by an air conditioner vs a cooler?
Ans- Yes. Larger rooms require larger AC’s; therefore, larger AC consumes more power compared to coolers, which again is more efficient.
9. Will setting the Ac to 24°C help lower electricity usage?
Ans- Yes, increasing the temperature setting will reduce AC power consumption. But when it comes to air cooler vs AC power consumption, it is still lower.
10. Is air cooler vs aircon electricity consumption different?
Ans- Yes. In air coolers vs aircon electricity consumption, air coolers use significantly less power than air conditioners.
11. Are AC and aircon the same thing?
Ans- Yes, AC and aircon refer to the same thing.