In our monthly series on consumer products, we feature some of the latest air conditioners and refrigerators to hit the Indian market.

Air conditioners

LG Inverter V AC

What?s on offer: This new range of ACs from the South Korean conglomerate promises fast and powerful cooling, along with a new system that claims to balance temperature and humidity levels and maintain the perfect indoor atmosphere. The 5 star-rated ACs are said to make energy savings of up to 53%. The models use a powerful rotary compressor, which can run even when the temperature goes up to 54 degrees Celsius and does not trip?something which could find a ready taker in the Indian consumer. The new range comprises 90 new models.

What?s new: The ACs use ?ultrasonic wave technology?, which claims to offer an effective and non-toxic way of repelling mosquitoes.

Godrej Eon Green Balance

What?s on offer: This range of five-star ACs not only meets the energy saving rating specified by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for 2014 but surpasses it, thus promising ?six-star performance? and consuming only 1,350 watts. The ACs have zero ODP (ozone depleting potential) and the lowest GWP (global warming potential) of just three compared to competition?s 1,750, as per company claims. The ?Green Balance? range has been awarded the prestigious ?Good Design Award 2013? by India Design Mark-India Design Council, thus putting it high on the style quotient too.

What?s new: As per company claims, the AC consumes less power than even a hair dryer.

Voltas 185 EY IMR

What?s on offer: This five star-rated AC offers a new ?insta-cool? compressor, which instantly cools the room in extreme summers, while its ?smart dehumidifier? brings down the humidity levels in sticky weather conditions. While its ?intelligent heating? keeps users comfortable even in severe winters, its multi-stage purifier eliminates harmful gases and odours. Its other features include a triple protection (3-in-1) filter, energy saver, turbo mode, LCD remote, 3D air-flow, etc.

What?s new: The ?insta-cool compressor? is equipped to deal with extreme weather patterns, ranging from peak summers to chilling winters.

Daikin HFC 32

Inverter Split AC

What?s on offer: Daikin?s ACs are based on the HFC32 refrigerant, which bears only one-third of the global warming potential (GWP) when compared to other refrigerants like R410A and R22. The company considers HFC32 to be suitable for split air conditioners and heat pumps and an excellent alternative to replace R410A in terms of performance. In addition to having a lower global warming impact, HFC32 can help curtail greenhouse gas emissions originating from energy sources when the equipment is in use.

What?s new: As per the company?s claims, the range of air conditioners has very low CO2 emission levels, zero ozone depletion potential and lower global warming potential.

Videocon?s new range of ACs with ?MPCS? technology

What?s on offer: Videocon?s new range of air conditioners comes with ?multi-point cooling system? (MPCS) technology. Comprising 32 new models in four dominant colours?pure white, white (with pattern), red and silver?the products are available in both split and window formats and deliver results in dry as well as humid weather conditions. They are Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) rated in the range of three stars to five stars, consume energy effectively and come in the cooling capacity of 1.5 to 2 tons.

What?s new: As per company?s claims, its MPCS technology ensures super-fast cooling in a matter of seconds.

Sharp 13PHT

What?s on offer: Sharp?s inverter circuitry system in the ACs modifies and maintains room temperature by switching the compressor between high and low operation modes, instead of switching it on/off. It reduces energy consumption through its proprietary energy-saving technologies and increases performance efficiency using high-powered DC motors. As per the company, the cost of running comes to about R3 per hour.

What?s new: Making use of its patented ?plasma cluster? technology, the AC conditions the room?s air with highly concentrated plasmacluster ions, which suppress bad odour.

Samsung AR7000

What?s on offer: The digital inverter series (AR7000 and AR5000) is engineered to deliver exceptional cooling, comfort and health benefits with a striking triangle body design. While the enlarged inlet port increases air intake, the width and angle of the outlet, extra front V blade and the bigger inner fan ensure powerful air-flow. The company says the digital inverter compressor cools 26% more quickly than conventional air-conditioning systems. It also allows the user to select ?full? or the ?single-user? mode depending on how crowded the room is or the movement in the room, thereby reducing energy wastage.

What?s new: Making a stylish lifestyle statement, the digital inverter series? innovative triangle design offers longer, larger and faster air-flow.

Refrigerators

Samsung Food Showcase

What?s on offer: The unique design provides smart separation in the refrigerator area with two layers of doors: the ?ShowCase? for instant access of frequently used items and ?InnerCase? for ingredients that require longer storage. The ShowCase section is four times bigger than a conventional home-bar refrigerator. Separated into three zones, the refrigerator allows people to effectively organise and find food items. The ?Kids? Zone?, for example, is placed at the lower level of ShowCase to provide easy access to children.

What?s new: It has a ?Cooking Zone? to keep cheese and sauces, ?Family Zone? for drinks and snacks and ?Kids? Zone? for food items meant for the young ones.

Whirlpool Protton World Series

What?s on offer: The frost-free refrigerator from Whirlpool ?senses?, adapts and controls the cooling based on the outside room temperature and internal load, providing long-lasting freshness. It also has moisture-retention technology to protect fruits and vegetables from microbial growth. It comes in 240 litres, 260 litres, 300 litres and 330 litres.

What?s new: Its ?6th sense active fresh? technology keeps food fresh for a longer time, as per the company?s claims.

Samsung Total Frostfree

What?s on offer: At the core of Samsung?s new refrigerator line-up is the advanced digital inverter technology that gives consumers the flexibility and convenience needed to keep food fresher for a long time as well as operate on 20% less energy, as per the company?s claims. What?s new: The innovative ?cool pack? assists in preventing food from melting or getting spoilt during a power failure for up to nine hours.

LG GL-D322

What?s on offer: Designed with ?smart inverter? compressor, it provides high energy efficiency along with greater food freshness, reduced operational noise levels and superior durability. By generating less internal friction and offering more precise cooling control, the compressor helps to lower energy consumption. This efficiency boost will prove highly beneficial for Indian consumers, and extremely timely, given the recent passing of tougher energy legislation. The ?smart inverter? compressor is backed by a 10-year warranty.

What?s new: As per company claims, the refrigerators are 36% more energy efficient than three star-rated refrigerators of 2014 energy norms.

Godrej Edge Pro (210 L)

What?s on offer: Godrej Appliances? energy-efficient refrigerators promise best-in-class cooling with features such as ?i-Fresh? technology for advanced freshness, best-in-class energy efficiency and 10-year compressor warranty. Its special zinc oxide protection fights rust and comes with a 10-year, rust-free warranty.

What’s new: As per company claims, the refrigerator?s ?stay-cool? technology has up to 10-hour cooling retention despite power cuts.

Videocon

Side by Side

What?s on offer: Loaded with style and technology, the refrigerators are available in luxury mirror and stylish platinum silver exterior finishes. It has features like LCD display, automatic ice and water dispenser, home bar, no-frost two-fan cooling airflow, wine rack, toughened glass shelves, dairy compartment, low-energy consumption, low noise levels, etc. They are available in 518 and 561 litres.

What?s new: As per company claims, the refrigerators allow you to store more and worry less.

Sharp SJFS 79

What?s on offer: It uses patented plasma cluster ion technology, which sterilises air inside the refrigerator. It also comes with ?Ag+ Nano? deodoriser, which removes bad odour. While the ?Supreme? model has a capacity of 600 litres, the ?Premier? model has a capacity of 605 litres. It has an advanced glass-touch control panel, which gives it an elite look, and a sleek door handle, which can bring style to any Indian kitchen. It has a hybrid cooling system and has full rear lighting.

What?s new: As per the company?s claims, the ?plasma cluster ion? technology keeps bread fresh for 7-10 days without attracting fungus or mold.