HITACHI 1.5 T Window AC Model: RAA18CP14. Review on Hitachi AC

Type - Window AC with Remote

Capacity - 1.5 T

Model - RAA18CP14 - Introduced in 2004

BTU/hr = 18000

Power Input = 1800 W

EER = 10 (Always buy ACs with more EER, it will cut down your electricity bill & takes less time to cool an area)

Compressor Capacity - 1.7 (Usually compressor capacity in 1.5 T AC is 1.5, more capacity is required if the temperature outside is very extreme such as 50 degree C. More capacity is better)

Fan Speed - 3 (Helps in controlling Air Flow, must have at least 3 fan speed in 1.5 T category)

Current Drawn - 8.5 Amps

Filter - Anti Bacteria Filter (Some ACs contains Electrostatic and Deodorizing Filters as well. Ask the shop owner to pull out these filters from at least 4 ACs and you will notice that all these are more or less the same.)

A Damper Lever is provided to deodorize the room in this AC.

Net Weight - About 60 kg (If you D.I.Y. guy or want to use it as exercising equipment)

Website - https://hitachi-hli.com (Outdated - this model isn't listed and I don't think it will be listed in coming days. Usually companies don't care about updating online information for Indian Customers)

Helpline - 9628 123 321 (India)

Warranty: 5 Years (on Compressor), 1Year (on Whole AC)

Features & Performance:

1. The AC makes very low noise while running. Cools Faster than you think. You can notice the difference in 2 minutes if you go outside the room.

   
   




2. Shows power index and Fan Speed on AC which will let you estimate your power consumption. The less the temperature is set, the more the power is consumed.

   
   




3. Filter cleaning indication appears on AC panel if it is dirty.

   
   




4. Contains Auto Swing Facility (Vertical). Horizontal Louvres can be operated by hand.

   
   




5. Many modes: Auto Power Save, Cool Mode, Dry Mode, Powerful Mode (Quick Cooling), Fan Mode.

   
   




6. Auto Climate Technology: Select your city code and the AC will decide how to operate.

   
   




7. Contains ON/OFF Timer.

   
   




8. Kaimin Mode: This will increase temperature by 1 degree after 1 hour (upto max. 4 hours) - Useful at night when you go to sleep.

   
   




9. Digital Lock: Needs PIN to start AC. (No one needs it unless you charge for your AC usage)

   
   




10. Three Personal Modes: Can set your personal settings for temp, timer, kaimin etc.

    
    

AC panel contains LED indication for Temp etc.

Now coming back to its remote, it has got LCD display, which goes off automatically to save batteries. Looks very good, like a mobile. But ... probably it's operation is not very user friendly. You have to study the manual at least twice to get used to RemCon (remote control). While personalizing one's settings, you have to be very quick, or it returns to first screen immediately. Since its display is LCD and not LED, you can't see it with lights turned off although some buttons glow in dark.

You will need magnifying glass to set ON/OFF timer. The display is very small & you have to struggle really hard to see AM/PM indication. It starts from 00:00 and moves in steps of 10 minutes, imagine if you have to set its time to 03:00 P.M., you have to keep pressing the remote. The manual provided to set Remcon tells about the things which are not even available in Remcon. e.g. You can disallow OFF timer in personal settings but it isn't possible. You have to set OFF Timer in personal settings no matter what time it is.

Alkaline batteries are provides with this RemCon.

Always take professional help to install an AC. Don't hesitate to bargain installation charges and AC price (for Indian residents only). Ensure that good quality material is provided for installation. Usually it contains wood for frame and ply for covering the window.

If you need to fix pvc pipe for water outlet, try to buy it in advance or at the very start of installation procedure or you have to rush at market for these things. Another item is Power Top (Plug) which is needed for Stabilizer if it doesn't have one.

Cost: Rs. 26,000 (including Time Delay Stabilizer - Wall Hang Type, Installation & Home Delivery)

You can check out ACs with high EER if you don't plan to buy Hitachi.

After 4 Months Operation

Summer in Delhi is still on in September and it may continue upto October end.

Coming back to AC, I am done with it's first Dry Service. The Service Staff was an average one. They basically cleaned AC's Front Side, Grill and Filter. It took them 10 minutes to complete this operation ... I waited for 3 hours for this. If you are confident, Dry Service is very easy and it can be done without any fuss, only the front grill needs to be removed.

The AC is operating is very nicely after 4 months and power consumption is also less. So if you are still in process of buying an AC, go for it & bargain as much as you can.