The star rating system for air conditioners is a rating system developed by the Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to provide consumers with information about the energy efficiency of different air conditioner models. The ratings range from one to five stars, with higher ratings indicating more energy efficiency.
Air conditioners are rated based on their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), which is a measure of the cooling efficiency of the unit. A higher SEER rating means that the unit is more efficient at cooling a space.
The star rating system is based on a fixed-speed compressor, which means that the compressor operates at a fixed speed and is either on or off. In contrast, an inverter compressor is a variable-speed compressor that can adjust its speed based on the cooling needs of the space. This allows inverter compressors to be more energy efficient than fixed-speed compressors, as they can operate at a lower speed when less cooling is needed and turn off when the desired temperature is reached.
Because of this, the star rating system for air conditioners may not accurately reflect the energy efficiency of air conditioners with inverter compressors. As a result, some experts have called for the adoption of a new rating system that takes into account the energy efficiency of inverter compressors.
Selecting the correct sized air conditioning system is more important because an air conditioner that is too small will struggle to cool the space, leading to increased energy usage and shortened lifespan of the unit. On the other hand, an air conditioner that is too large will cool the space too quickly, leading to inefficient operation and higher energy bills. It's important to select an air conditioner that is appropriately sized for the space it will be cooling in order to achieve optimal energy efficiency and performance.