3-Star vs 5-Star AC Calculator
The question every AC buyer agonises over, answered with your numbers: usage, state tariff and the actual price gap.
Your usage
The verdict on 5-star
₹3,326
Saved per year
2.7 yrs
Premium pays back in
💡 Buy the 5-star. At 6 hrs/day it pays for itself in 2.7 years and keeps saving for the next decade.
Assumes a 1.5 ton inverter AC: ~1.6 units/hr (3-star) vs ~1.25 units/hr (5-star) blended draw at ₹8.8/unit in Maharashtra.
Frequently asked questions
How much less power does a 5-star AC use?
A 5-star 1.5 ton inverter typically draws around 20-25% fewer units than a 3-star for the same cooling - roughly 0.3-0.4 units less per hour of running.
When is a 3-star AC the smarter buy?
Light usage: under 4 hours a day or a short summer. The 5-star premium then takes 5+ years to recover, longer than many people keep the AC.
Do star ratings change every year?
BEE tightens the bands periodically - a 5-star from 2020 may only rate 3-star under current norms. Our data always uses the current-year rating.