Air conditioning and ventilation — price, types and what to check
Split, ducted and VRF systems, copper piping, ventilation.
Indian summers make cooling a major running cost. Planning AC points, copper piping and drains during construction keeps walls clean and systems efficient.
The basics
- Split ACs are most common; ducted and VRF systems suit large homes.
- Inverter ACs vary compressor speed and use noticeably less power than fixed-speed units.
- Rough sizing: 1 ton per 100–120 sq ft, more for top floors and west-facing rooms.
Air conditioning and ventilation types and price ranges in India
| Type | Specification | Best used for | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inverter split AC | 1–2 ton, 5-star | Bedrooms and living | ₹32,000–75,000 |
| Cassette / ducted AC | 2–5 ton | Large rooms, hidden units | ₹80,000–2,50,000 |
| VRF system | Multiple indoor units | Whole-house cooling | ₹90,000–1,60,000 |
| Insulated copper piping | ¼″ + ½″ pair | Concealed AC lines | ₹800–1,300 |
| AC drain pipe | 20–25 mm PVC | Condensate drain | ₹40–90 |
| Inline duct / ventilation fan | 100–200 mm | Windowless bathrooms | ₹2,500–12,000 |
| Fresh-air / energy-recovery unit | ERV | Sealed modern homes | ₹35,000–1,50,000 |
Quality checks before you accept delivery
- Use thick-wall copper with proper nitrile insulation, not thin aluminium lines.
- Check the BEE star label and ISEER rating.
- Outdoor unit brackets should be galvanised with anti-vibration pads.
- The installer should vacuum the lines with a vacuum pump before releasing gas.
- Pour water into the indoor unit tray — it should drain freely.
- Copper joints should be brazed, not taped.
Pro tips
- Conceal copper and drain lines before plaster and pressure-test them with nitrogen.
- Give drain lines at least a 1:100 slope to a waste point.
- Keep outdoor units in shade with free airflow; avoid enclosed balconies.
- 24–26 °C is the efficient set point — each degree lower adds roughly 6% to power use.
- Service ACs before summer and clean filters every two weeks in peak season.
- Add a stabiliser only if local voltage swings exceed the AC's rated range.
Mistakes to avoid
- Closing walls over concealed piping without a pressure test — hidden gas leaks follow.
- Placing the outdoor unit where it re-breathes its own hot air.
- Oversizing — the AC short-cycles and leaves rooms clammy.
- Outdoor units on thin, unpainted brackets.
- Joints inside concealed copper runs.
Where you can save
- Roof insulation and shading can drop the tonnage you need.
- Buy 5-star inverter units for daily-use rooms; 3-star is fine for guest rooms.
How much you need
About 1 ton per 100–120 sq ft of room; add 20% for top floors.
Brands to know
Daikin, Voltas, LG, Blue Star, Mitsubishi Electric, Carrier, Hitachi, Panasonic
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