WHY YOU SHOULD NOT BUY AN ASSEMBLED AIR CONDITIONER?
COMPRESSOR:
Many customers ask why they should buy a branded A/C when even assembled A/C's use the exact same compressor. The compressor is only one of many important components and the system design and balance as a whole. For example, if you take an engine from a Maruti and put it in an Ambassador you would not get the same performance, reliability or quality. For the same reason you should not base your decision on one component only.
COILS:
The coils are the second most important component in an A/C. These are the radiator like heat exchangers you see behind the filter and at the back on an A/C. The coils absorb the heat from the room air and transfer it to the outside. If these are of insufficient size or of poor quality, less heat is removed from the room. The cooling capacity of the airconditioner will therefore be less. You may be paying for a 1.5 ton A.C. but it may be giving you only 1.2 tons of cooling.
Frizair uses Dual Hexa Louvered Fins (each fin in the coil has several louvers cut into it) to increase the efficiency of the coils and to reduce power consumption. Such fins can be manufactured only on very sophisticated and expensive imported machinery. Assemblers do not have access to this technology.
Frizair uses internally Grooved Copper Tubing in the coils to expose more of the tube surface to the refrigerant gas. These are not made in India and have to be imported. Assemblers use plain tubes which are very inefficient. Usually, their copper tubes are made from recycled copper which contains brass.
The tube must also be rigidly bonded to the fin for efficient heat transfer. This also requires a very expensive and sophisticated machine. Assemblers do not bother to bond the tube to the fin. Thus, the losses in transferring the heat from the fin (which is in contact with the air) to the tube (which is in contact with the gas) are very high. This defect would not be noticed by even the most discerning customer.
COPPER TUBES:
Poor quality copper tubes contain a lot of carbon and other contaminants from the manufacturing process. These pipes are then cleaned with acid to remove the carbon and to make the copper shine. Significant quantities of this acid remain in the tubing and ultimately lead to compressor failure. Reputed manufacturers do not use such poor quality copper tubing.
CLEANLINESS:
The inside of the refrigeration system must be spotlessly clean, free from dirt and other contaminants. Assembled air conditioners are assembled in small roadside shops. Thus, dust and dirt particles enter the system. These, remain inside for the life of the A/C and keep circulating through the precise working parts of the compressor. Ultimately, this leads to premature compressor failure.
MOISTURE:
All traces of moisture must be removed from the refrigerant system before gas is charged into the A/C. Otherwise, moisture will react with the refrigerant gas and the compressor oil to form an acid. This acid ultimately eats into the working parts of the compressor leading to premature compressor failure. Assemblers do not have the equipment to remove moisture to such an extent.
CAPILLARY:
The Capillary tube if an extremely critical component. A change in the inside diameter of one thousandth of an inch can affect the performance of the A/C by 15-20%. Assemblers buy whatever capillary is available in the market and they usually cannot even measure this diameter precisely.
SYSTEM DESIGN:
Reputed A/C manufacturers have Research and Development facilities to design and test airconditioners. Attention is paid to air flows, design of the fan and blower, the condenser and evaporator coils, and many other parts which lead to a balanced and efficient refrigeration system. Assemblers have no such facilities. They use whatever components are available at the local shop. This ultimately means that you are buying a poorly designed, imbalanced and inefficient airconditioner.
BLOWER AND FAN:
The blower and fan are critical components which require careful design and testing. Otherwise, the A/C will make noise and not deliver the required quantity of air. Also, the fan and blower must be dynamically balanced to eliminate vibrations which cause noise and wear out the motor bearings. Assemblers do not have these facilities.
Frizair uses plastic blowers with Aerodynamically shaped blades for smooth, whisper quite operation. Unlike metal blowers, plastic blowers do not rattle and make noise.
MOTOR:
Assemblers use cheap, undersized motors from local motor manufacturers. These overheat and burn out early. They are not made to exacting standards and wear out much faster than branded motors.
Frizair uses prime quality Totally Enclosed motors which prevent dust and moisture from entering the motor. These motors are Permanently Lubricated and require no maintenance or periodic oiling. This increases the durability and reliability of the motor.
THERMOSTAT:
Poor quality thermostats cannot maintain the room temperature accurately. This means that the room is either too hot or too cold. Also, these inferior thermostats do not last long as their contacts cannot handle the compressor starting current repeatedly.
Frizair uses imported thermostats, each one of which is individually tested and calibrated for precise temperature control.
CAPACITOR:
Poor quality capacitors burst and this implies a short circuit or a fire risk. Assemblers do not use good quality capacitors.
SHEET METAL PARTS:
Assemblers use ordinary Mild Steel sheet metal parts. Frizair used Corrosion Resistant Galvanized (Zinc Coated) sheet metal parts for years durable finish which is the best known to the industry. Assemblers use ordinary paint.
Also, the sheet metal parts of branded airconditioners are made on precision dies and tooling for exact matching and fitting. Assembled A/C parts are often handmade with crude machinery. Thus, they do not fit exactly which leads to noise and rattle.
ELECTRICALS AND WIRING:
Other electrical parts such as switches, wiring, connectors etc. in an assembled A/C are also of inferior quality. This effects the reliability of the A/C and is dangerous for the compressor. A disconnected wire to the compressor could cause overheating and ultimate failure of the compressor.
OTHER PARTS:
There are many other small components which lead to reliable and noise free operation of an A/C. Assemblers do not insist on prime quality parts and components. Some of these deficiencies may not be perceived during the first few months of operation. Ultimately however, they will emerge and affect you the customer.
PRICE DIFFERENCE:
A reasonable good 1.5 Ton assembled A/C costs around Rs.19,000 today. A branded one is Rs.2000 to 3000 more expensive. This is a minor difference to pay for a product which a customer will use for many years. The question to really ask is "Can I really afford NOT to buy a branded A/C".
EFFICIENCY :
Out internal tests show that assembled A/C's are anywhere between 25 and 35% less efficient than Frizair units. This inefficiency costs the customer Rs.500 to Rs.700 per month in electricity bills. The initial price advantage is lost in 6 months. After This, you pay Rs.6000 to Rs.8,400 more per year in electricity bills.
SERVICE:
When you buy an assembled A/C you are relying on one individual to give you service. If he goes out of business, or moves his location you may be left with a product and zero after sales service. Which is accountable and has a reputation at stake. This makes a difference.
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