Easy instalment schemes and attractive offers have lured people in grabbing up air-conditioners, writes Nivedita Ganguly
Photo: K.R. Deepak
Cooling solutions Finding ways for a comfortable summer
A hot and sultry summer coupled with erratic weather patterns have pushed people to invest in air-conditioners. The summer being at its peak now and humidity levels soaring high, it’s proving to be a goldmine for retailers of air-conditioners w
ho are doing a brisk business, so much so manufacturers are finding it difficult to keep up with the demand, according to retailers.
Easy instalment schemes and attractive offers have lured the middle class group in grabbing up the cooling solution for a comfortable summer. The late onset of summer didn’t hamper the growth rate of the market as the month of May saw inordinately humid days forcing people to go for air-conditioners. The major players in this category have recorded a whopping rise in the sales margins due to extreme weather conditions this summer. “The sale has particularly picked up from the past one week due to the humid weather conditions. The industry is anticipating a growth rate of 25 per cent this year,” says Harnadh Raju, managing director of Galaxy.
Says S. Maheshwar Rao, dealer of Blue Star, “We sold out 150 machines within the past few weeks and our overall sales have exceeded 500 this summer.” Going by the initial demand and boom in the market, Rao is confident of a 30 per cent rise in sales margin this summer.
There was a time when AC was considered to be a luxury item because of its sky rocketing prices, but not any more. Easy EMI schemes ranging from 12 months to 24 months with 0 per cent interest rates have reduced the financial burden from the shoulders of the middle class group. “In fact a 1.5 tonne split AC is now available for Rs.19,000,” says Raju. Offering tips to prospective buyers Maheshwar Rao says that the size of the room should be taken into consideration while buying ACs. “A one tonne AC is sufficient for smaller bedrooms while 1.5 tonne AC remains the standard choice,” he adds. As a thumb rule, an AC with 0.8 tonne capacity is suitable for 100 sq.ft; 1 tonne for 140 sq.ft and 2 tonne for 200 sq.ft.
The market has also experienced a surge in the sale of split ACs compared to window ACs due to several additional features present in the former. The various models have features like digital locking - to prevent misuses of air-conditioners and tampering with the settings, remote control, filter clean indicators - to prevent bacterial growth in the air conditioner, and automatic adjustment of temperature to suit body requirements. While the major players in this category are Carrier Aircon and Blue Star, the Korean brands such as Samsung and LG have made an immediate impact on the market after their entry, says Raju. The latest entrants in this segment are Videocon, Hyundai and Godrej with ACs packed with rotary compressors and high BTU (19,000 BTU) that offer high cooling effect and have low power consumption.
If you are concerned about the high electricity bills run up by the contraption, here are some tips:
Proper sizing, selection, installation, maintenance and correct use are keys to cost-effective operation of air-conditioners and to lower overall costs, without sacrificing any of the benefits.
Make sure you buy the correct size air-conditioner. A large air-conditioner will not provide the best cooling. Buying an oversized air-conditioner could well turn out to be a problem and may not offer the desired comfort levels.
Each air-conditioner has an energy efficiency rating that lists how many British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour are removed for each watt of power it draws. For room air-conditioners, this efficiency rating is called the Energy Efficiency Ratio, or EER. It is desirable to buy air-conditioners with an EER of at least 9.0, but any number of energy efficient but slightly expensive ones with EER ratings of 10.5-11 are available.
Avoid making decision solely on the basis of price. Select a room air conditioner with an EER of at least 9.0 if you live in a mild climate.
If you live in a hot climate, select one with an EER over 10 though it might cost slightly more.
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