Today I went to check Sharp 1 ton inverters. The local shop had only 1 to n NRV model for which he quoted 31.5k, installation etc extra. Other shops (ezone,reliance,croma) all had 1 ton XPS13LV model but the price quoted was 35k upwards. I asked the local shop fellow for the LV model but he told that it is about to be discontinued and spares won't be available and blah. He may be saying it since he doesn't have or couldn't get this particular model.
Now please guide me that whether taking extra pain for LV model is worth, i.e is LV much better than NRV? And any views about the Panasonic 1 ton inverter starting model YS12. I do not want to go above 31-32 for 1 ton inverter so i guess in present situation Sharp NRV or 1 ton panny YS is my only option. Or shall I spend 2-3k more for LV model, is it worth?
While both AH-X12NEV (NEV series) and AH-XP13NRV (NRV series) use identical indoor units a year before Sharp used to offer a real 1.1 Ton inverter by the model AH-XP13LV (LV series). Comparing the specs I found this older model to be superior in every other way than the recent AH-XP13NRV.
Sharp AH-XP13NRV
Indoor Unit [IDU]: Sharp AH-XP13NRV
Outdoor Unit [ODU]: Sharp AU-X13NV
Cooling Capacity Range [kW]: (0.9 - 3.6 - 4)
Cooling Capacity Range [BTU/Hr]: (3,073 - 12,292 - 13,658)
Cooling Capacity Range [Ton]: (0.26 - 1.02 - 1.14)
Rated Cooling Capacity: 3.6 kW
Rated Power Consumption: 1150 watts
Rated EER (W/W): 3.13
Max Outdoor Operating Temparature: 46 °C
Indoor Airflow Rate (CMM): 10.8
Plasmacluster Air Purifier: Available
Refrigerant Gas: R410A
IDU Weight: 9 kg
ODU Weight: 28 kg
Sharp AH-XP13LV
Indoor Unit [IDU]: Sharp AH-XP13LV
Outdoor Unit [ODU]: Sharp AU-X13LV
Cooling Capacity Range [kW]: (0.8 - 3.67 - 4.20)
Cooling Capacity Range [BTU/Hr]: (2,732 - 12,531 - 14,341)
Cooling Capacity Range [Ton]: (0.23 - 1.04 - 1.20)
Rated Cooling Capacity: 3.67 kW
Rated Power Consumption: 1010 watts
Rated EER (W/W) 3.63
Max Outdoor Operating Temparature: 46 °C
Indoor Airflow Rate (CMM): 10.9
Plasmacluster Air Purifier: Available
Refrigerant Gas: R410A
IDU Weight: 9 kg
ODU Weight: 28.5 kg
It seems the LV model have a upper hand in every single department in terms of cooling capacity to NRV model at minimum, rated and maximum cooling capacities. The LV will provide a slightly more powerful cooling under rated condition while maxing out to a 1.2 Ton. The NRV can do a max of 1.14 Ton. The LV model also wins in having an even lower minimum cooling capacity ceiling of 0.23 Ton thus consuming slightly less energy when the set temperature is achieved while the NRV can do the best of 0.26 Ton. The LV model ODU is 500 grams heavier than the NRV, which may denote a bigger and higher capacity compressor along with bigger condenser.
And even though the LV is more powerful than NRV, it consumes less energy reflected in higher cooling performance having an
EER of 3.63 while the NRV can do a best of
EER of 3.13. Other than looks of NRV mimicking the MV series which is without a hint of doubt the sexiest looking air conditioner in town, the LV model is in a win-win situation.
Now let me stress there is a common belief that Inverter air conditioners remain always operational while switched on. While this is true to a certain point in that their compressors remain operational for about 98% of the duty cycle, for the rest 2% the compressor turns off just like non-Inverters. Say when the LV model attains its set temperature and tries to maintain it by coming down from its maximum cooling capacity of 1.2 Ton to 0.23 Ton there comes a point of time when even the 0.23 Ton becomes too powerful to maintain the set temperature and hence turned off. When the indoor temperature sensors of the IDU sense a tiny rise of 0.5 °C, the micro-computer module again turns on to 0.23 Ton cooling capacity thus saving energy while a non-Inverter on the other hand turns on to a 1 Ton thus gulping more energy.
If we consider both LV and NRV above models as non-Inverter running at its rated cooling capacity always, then comparing the above two we find for every hour of operation the Sharp model saves 1150 - 1010 = 140 watts of energy consumption. This means 140/1000 = 0.14 energy unit saved per hour. For a 12 hour operation on a daily basis saves 0.14 X 12 = 1.68 units. In a month’s time of this daily routine saves 1.68 X 30 = 50.4 units. Considering an average rate of rupees 5 per unit, equates to INR 252 savings per month and for 10 months of use a year equates to INR 2,520 savings per year. In an assumed 10 year life cycle the LV model saves a total of 2520 X 10 =
INR 25.2K over the NRV model. With LV’s and NRV’s costing the same I find no point in opting for NRV series other than looks.
Now NRV's are the old models. Here in Kolkata the news is(according to dealers) in 2013 Sharp is importing the LV and not the NRV. So LV's are the new stock now and here one can them at INR 31K. In Delhi due to less tax it goes down to 28.5K.
Panasonics are great. You can have them too.
Some pictures of the
Sharp AH-XP13LV, 1.1Ton Inverter AC with in-built Plasmacluster air purifier:
Indoor Unit [AH-XP13LV]
Outdoor Unit [AU-X13LV]
Outdoor Unit using conventional Copper Aluminum Condenser
Free Installation Kit