Haier has scaled up its India operations by setting up manufacturing plants for delivering energy-efficient and high-performance air conditioners tailored for the Indian climate. The Haier 1.6 Ton 5 Star Intelli Smart Split AC is a heavy-duty option designed to handle extreme temperatures while ensuring optimal cooling efficiency and power savings. We have the Black or Dark Edition Kinouchi design model with us that offers smart connectivity and is an attractive option for those seeking both style and performance. But does it live up to the hype? We put it to the test to find out.
Should you buy it?
The Haier 1.6 Ton 5 Star Intelli Smart Split AC turned out to be a very effective AC and a well-rounded package. This is a heavy-duty AC that offers superfast cooling and can also deliver maximum efficiency when needed. I believe these are two primary concerns of most AC buyers in India and they stand addressed.
Features like AI cooling and Sleep Curve optimizations further enhance user comfort. Premium aesthetics and useful smart connectivity features are added bonuses that are great to have at this price. One notable omission at this price feature is the lack of Air purification filters, but that also helps reduce maintenance costs.
While it comes at a slightly premium price, the long-term energy savings and advanced features make it a worthwhile investment, especially in hot and humid regions, where its heavy-duty cooling capability will make a noticeable difference.
Our unit features a Black ‘Kinouchi’ finish, offering a departure from the standard white designs commonly seen in air conditioners. The matte black exterior allows it to blend well with modern interiors, making it an appealing choice for users who value aesthetics. The LED display on the AC is large enough to be legible from a distance and you may also disable it using the “Light” button on the remote if you prefer a completely dark ambience while sleeping.
The outdoor unit also has an elegant grill design. For enhanced longevity, the AC incorporates an advanced plastic outlet grill and aluminium fins that help resist wear over time. Haier also says that the use of 100% grooved copper piping increases heat exchange efficiency by 30-50%, contributing to better cooling performance and compressor durability.
The AC remote is quite ergonomic to hold and operate and has all the functions you’d frequently need. Since this is a smart AC, you can also remotely operate it using the Haismart app (more on that later).
The Haier Kinouchi 1.6 Ton AC is designed to deliver fast and effective cooling, even in regions where summer temperatures soar beyond 45-50°. In our use it managed to adapt to room conditions dynamically, ensuring consistent cooling without fluctuations. During our testing, the AC cooled an approximately 180 sq. ft. room from 28°C to 18°C in around 15 minutes in the Turbo mode.
We tested the air quality and temperature of the room using the Kaiterra Air Quality monitor. While the temperature was effectively reduced, we didn’t notice much change in the air quality after 1 hour of operation. The AC does include a Super Micro Antibacterial filters of 1.2mm grid to deliver clean and healthy air.
The long air throw ensured uniform cooling across the large room, with no noticeable difference even in the corners. The 4-way swing mechanism further enhances air distribution, minimising hot spots.
Since we reviewed the AC at the onset of summer, it’s difficult to assess its performance during peak Delhi summers. That said, we haven’t encountered any red flags, and based on our experience so far, we remain highly optimistic about its performance.
The AC also runs quiet. The indoor unit maintains low noise levels, even at higher fan speeds, making it well-suited for bedrooms and workspaces. The outdoor unit is engineered to minimise vibrations and noise and during our testing caused no disturbance even when mounted outside on the same wall. This is also due to the use of Dual DC compressor which is more efficient and silent than single rotary compressor.
Energy efficiency is another strength of this AC, thanks to its 5-star BEE rating and DC inverter technology. Unlike traditional ACs that operate at a fixed speed, the inverter compressor dynamically adjusts power consumption based on room temperature and usage patterns. This helps in reducing energy wastage while maintaining optimal cooling. If you’re upgrading from a non-inverter AC, expect a noticeable improvement in energy savings.
There are several features like the Eco Mode, AI Cooling Mode and Sleep Curve that you can use to further optimise power consumption.
The Eco Mode can be used to reduce the AC capacity in monsoons or relatively cool weather and help conserve electricity. You can choose between three Eco settings L1, L2 and L3 that will reduce the capacity to 75%, 55% and 40%, respectively. The Turbo mode makes the AC run at 110% capacity and the Quiet Mode makes the AC run at 30% capacity.
This Haier Intelli Smart AC comes with a suite of smart features that enhance usability and convenience. Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to control the AC remotely using the Haismart app (Android and iOS), letting you adjust settings and schedule operations from anywhere. If you’re someone who frequently forgets to turn off the AC before leaving home, this feature is a lifesaver.
The Energy Stats feature in the app allows you to monitor your energy consumption closely. You can set monthly targets based on energy usage in units or enter the energy unit price to receive alerts based on your total bill.
AI Climate Control can adjust cooling by learning individual preferences and real-time conditions, ensuring efficiency while maintaining comfort. I prefer to keep this on because the AC automatically reduces temperature as the night progresses and I don’t have to wake up and manually do the same.
If you have kids or elderly people at home or are very particular about your temperature needs, you can also use pre-set Sleep curves or customized sleep curves to adjust the temperature according to your liking. This is again incredibly useful for someone like me.
Additionally, Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility enable voice control, meaning you can adjust temperature settings hands-free. These smart integrations make it an excellent choice for tech-savvy users who want a more connected home ecosystem.
Haier provides a smooth and hassle-free installation process, with trained technicians ensuring proper setup. After installation the technicians checked used Nitrogen to check leakages, which was subsequently flushed and replaced with coolant. The installation cost is standard Rs 1500 (excluding taxes), but it’s advisable to check for promotional offers where Haier may provide free or discounted installation.
In terms of maintenance, the AC comes with a self-cleaning function, which helps prevent dust and bacteria buildup, reducing the need for frequent servicing. The Self Clean is a 21-minute function where the coolant in the outer unit is transferred to the Indoor unit for frosting the coils. The defrosting then strips off all the dirt and drains it through the outlet pipe.
The connected app also alerts users when its time to clean the air filter. There is also an option to smartly diagnose the basic functions directly from the app.
The Haier 1.6 Ton 5 Star Intelli Smart Split AC turned out to be a very effective AC and a well-rounded package. This is indeed a heavy-duty AC that offers superfast cooling and can deliver maximum efficiency when needed. I believe these are two primary concerns of AC buyers in India and they stand addressed.
Features like AI cooling and Sleep Curve optimizations further enhance user comfort. Premium aesthetics and useful smart connectivity features are added bonuses that are great to have at this price.
While it comes at a slightly premium price, the long-term energy savings and advanced features make it a worthwhile investment, especially in hot and humid regions, where its heavy-duty cooling capabilities will make a noticeable difference.
