Choosing between a split AC and a central AC comes down to one simple question. Do you want to cool one room well, or should your home have an even temperature? Split ACs and central ACs work on different principles and have different use cases, as the split units are budget-friendly, easy to fix, and perfect for small spaces. While the central systems cost more upfront, they keep every corner of a large home at the same comfortable temperature, with cleaner air and no bulky units on your walls. Your decision really depends on home size, budget, and how much convenience you are willing to pay for. In this article I’ll break down the running cost, electricity consumption, installation cost and more for both.
Split ACs are generally more energy efficient for small to medium homes. The reason being they only cool the room you are using it in, and they do not waste power on empty spaces. On the other hand, if you want to cool the whole house evenly, then a central AC system is the best choice for you.
Let’s say if your home has multiple floors or many rooms which require the use of AC, all at the same time, then it’s better to use a central AC system instead of using separate split AC units in each room, as it reduces the electricity consumption bill as well as helps maintain a steady temperature across the house so that you don’t feel sick because of varying temperatures.
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Split ACs come with visible indoor and outdoor units, which you can find bulky or unattractive, especially when you put them up for each room you have in your big house. Whereas a central AC system is hidden behind vents and ceilings. As a result, you get a cleaner and clutter-free look while doing justice to the price you paid to your interior designer.
In terms of air quality, central systems usually have better filtration since air passes through ducts and filters before reaching every room, helping reduce dust and allergens more effectively than most split units.
Split ACs are typically easier and more cost-effective to maintain because each unit can be serviced independently. Moreover, if it faces an issue in one room, then that does not impact the other AC setup in different rooms. Regular servicing for a split AC costs around Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 per unit, while bigger repairs like a gas refill can go up to Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000.
In contrast to that, central AC systems need professional servicing for the entire duct network, which can be more time consuming and costlier if something goes wrong, since the whole system may need attention.
Furthermore, the annual maintenance for central AC can cost between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000, and if we add the cost to any of the major repairs for it, like ductwork or the compressor, then it can cross Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 depending on the damage.
In India a split AC can typically cost between Rs 30,000 and Rs 55,000 per unit depending on the size, feature and brand you go for. Further, you need to pay the installation charges of around Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 for the device.
While the central AC installation is far more expensive, as it ranges from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh or more, depending on home size and ducting work. Moreover, the initial cost of purchasing a central AC is also high.
Not only that, but the running costs also differ, as the split ACs are cheaper, as you can only use the AC for the room you want. That said, the central systems cost more to run but offer convenience for bigger homes.