The BEE label shows the star band, the ISEER value, annual energy consumption under standard assumptions, and the label period. The label period matters: bands are ratcheted every few years, so always compare ISEER numbers, not star counts, across model years.
A 1.5T unit at ISEER 3.80 (3★ class) draws roughly 1.39 kW; at ISEER 5.10 (5★ class) about 1.03 kW — a 26% reduction for identical cooling. At 8 hours a day and ₹7 per unit, that's roughly ₹600–700 a month during season. For any AC running 6+ hours daily, the 5★ premium typically pays back in 2–4 summers.
Nearly all 4★/5★ units are inverters: variable-speed compressors that modulate to the room's load instead of cycling on/off. Beyond the efficiency, inverters hold temperature steadier and run quieter at night. Verify current bands on BEE's official table before buying — values here reflect recent bands and will age.
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Roughly 1.0–1.3 units (kWh) per hour at typical conditions; peak-summer afternoons at 45°C push consumption 25–35% above nameplate.
Yes — BEE periodically tightens the ISEER bands, demoting older models. Compare the ISEER number itself across label periods.
Put the numbers to work: AC tonnage calculator · bill calculator · model number decoder.