Air conditioners has now become essential appliance for houses, there are lot of option available in market for air conditioners. Apart from manufactures, efficiency and cost, one of the major difference for the air conditioner is its type like split Air conditioner and windows air conditioner. We used to get confused which air conditioner to buy and when to buy split and windows air conditioners. So let us discuss benefit and limitation of Window vs Split Air Conditioners and try to find which is best suitable for your need.

Lets’ Compare the difference between Windows and Split ACs
S.N | Description | Windows AC (Unitary ACs) | Split AC |
1. | Configuration | Compressor condenser and evaporator are all installed in a single Unit | Condenser, compressor are separate and located at outdoor. Evaporator is installed at cooling area (Room) Refrigerant and electrical cables are connected from indoor to outdoor unt. |
2 | Efficiency | Windows ACs are less efficient ACs than Split AC. 5 Star window AC will have minimum ISEER Value of 3.3 ( for 2018-20 period) minimum ISEER Value of 3.5 ( for 2020-23 period) | Split ACs are more energy efficient ACs 5 Star Split AC will have minimum ISEER Value of 4.5 ( for 2018-20 period) minimum ISEER Value of 5.0 ( for 2020-23 period) |
3 | Technology advancement | Due to lower space of window AC technology advancement is limited. | Technology advancement is higher at split AC, no of function and filtration system is added and has futher option for advancement. |
3 | Maintenance and leakages | Very less probability as complete package is factory fitted and very less piping used. | Probability of maintenance and gas leakage usually high and depends upon workmanship of service person Installation plays higher role in energy efficiency, Wrong installation may lead to higher power consumption than rated, |
4. | Air Circulation | Air circulation is not as proper as split Acs | Air circulation is proper. |
5. | Level of installation | Installed at lower to middle level of room, especially for operation of control buttons | Installed at higher elevation as most of the ACs do not have any control button on indoor unit |
6. | Ease in installation | Easy in installation | Comparative difficult in installation. |
7. | Portability | Highly portable and no need to do extra care while transferring | Transferring is problematic as refrigerant pipe needs to be disconnected and refrigerant need to be transferred to condensers. Higher probability of gas leakage while relocation. |
8. | Aesthetic | Takes larger interior foot print and looks bulky | Looks Smart and takes lower interior footprint. |
9. | Noise | Noisy than Split AC as compressor is integral part. | Silent Machine due to outdoor installation of compressor and condenser. |
10. | Cost | Windows ACs are normally cheaper than split ACs | Split ACs are generally costlier than split ACs |
Split Air conditioners are popular, efficient and dominate AC market, while windows air conditioners have its own space. It wins battle over efficiency in Window vs Split Air Conditioners battle but Portability of Windows AC makes it popular choice for the people who change their house frequently like students, employee with highly transferable jobs etc. Window ACs is also very popularly used in rented AC market.
For understanding different Acs Technology click here, For star rating in air conditioner click here, For Best refrigerant for home air conditioners click here
Hello,
I like your long post. I want to buy one but not sure that what is the best fit for my 350sqft room. can you please recommend for one for me? I will be grateful to you. Thanks for the great article.