One of the concerns people face when buying air conditioners and split AC units is distinguishing between genuine and counterfeit air conditioners. Many unscrupulous sellers sell smuggled or fake units as original, sometimes even labelling them as "fake air conditioners" to buyers. But don’t worry, since air conditioners are today essential equipment for ensuring personal comfort, this article aims to thoroughly explain how to distinguish fake air conditioners from genuine ones. Stay with us.

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How to Distinguish Fake from Genuine Air Conditioners
You might ask why it is important to be careful when distinguishing between smuggled and genuine air conditioners. The reason is clear: smuggled units lack the quality of original air conditioners, yet some opportunistic sellers may offer them at slightly lower prices than genuine ones. Naturally, no one wants to pay for low-quality, smuggled products.
- The quality of non-original equipment, especially air conditioners, is not comparable to genuine products at all. If you choose a smuggled AC, you will certainly purchase units with a shorter lifespan.
- Another drawback of buying smuggled air conditioners is that these units do not have a valid and reliable warranty. Since any device may encounter issues, lacking a practical and trustworthy warranty can cause problems for buyers.
- Non-original AC units do not have recognized and reliable after-sales service, meaning that usually, after delivery or even installation and payment, no one will properly respond to any potential technical issues of your unit!
- Sometimes in fake air conditioners and split units, 18,000 BTU compressors are used instead of 24,000 BTU compressors, and 12,000 BTU compressors instead of 18,000 BTU compressors, and the buyer does not notice these differences. Even the thickness of the copper tubing in these units is lower. It is worth noting that these issues cannot be detected by non-specialists and may only become apparent over time. This is why it is crucial to purchase air conditioners from reputable centers.
- Another method to check product authenticity is connecting an ammeter to the device. Firstly, the current consumption for each capacity of split AC units is frequently fixed according to technical specifications. Secondly, in standard AC units, connecting an ammeter shows a constant reading with minor fluctuations. However, in genuine inverter AC units, the ammeter shows different readings frequently, and the number does not remain fixed.
- Furthermore, purchasing from untrustworthy sellers maximizes the risk of receiving false information, which cannot serve as a reliable guide for choosing the right split AC unit.
These reasons are enough to understand that you must be cautious in distinguishing smuggled or fake air conditioners from original split AC units.

Key Parameters to Distinguish Genuine and Fake Air Conditioners
To identify a genuine air conditioner, you should pay attention to the points I've shared below.
- To easily distinguish a genuine AC from a smuggled one, you should ask the seller to show you the external panel’s electronic board, located near the compressor and condenser. Most smuggled AC units are non-inverter and standard, and standard AC units have simple boards, while genuine AC units have large, high-quality boards.
- Ensure that the inverter unit uses R410 gas, which is not used in fake units. R410a is commonly used in low-consumption AC units, while standard units use R22 gas. Also, verify the authenticity of the inverter compressor and that it is DC.
- To distinguish fake split AC units from genuine ones, besides having a product ID, ask the seller to introduce a well-known and reliable company to provide trustworthy after-sales service. If the seller refuses or does not provide reliable service centers, you should suspect that the AC unit you intend to purchase is fake or smuggled.
Also, ensure that the warranty provider’s name is registered in the comprehensive warranty system and has a tracking code. - Some sellers may market standard units as inverter units. First, know that inverter AC units come in stylish and high-quality packaging and never in weak or unacceptable packaging. It is also advisable to check the technical label on the AC instead of relying on the seller’s words. This label provides technical information, showing device specifications. For example, if the operating current for a 24,000 BTU unit is low (4 amps), it is an inverter unit, whereas standard units at this capacity draw 12 amps.
- Note that General AC units are not inverters, but some sellers sell them as inverters. Smuggled and fake General units are often sold under the names General KIT or Zh.

Although most fake AC units do not differ in appearance from the genuine ones, the difference in quality becomes gradually noticeable over long-term use. Therefore, we recommend purchasing air conditioners from reliable stores and centers with recognized and trustworthy warranties to avoid paying high prices for low-quality products.
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Fake Vs Original AC at a Glance
It is worth noting that for an enjoyable buying experience, the DamaTajhiz website offers installment purchase options for all types of air conditioners and split AC units, allowing you to purchase your desired product in instalments easily.
Air conditioners are essential equipment for ensuring comfort in homes and offices, yet the proliferation of smuggled and fake units poses a significant challenge for consumers. This article provides a detailed explanation of how to distinguish genuine from fake units, focusing on component quality, warranties, after-sales service, proper refrigerant usage, and inspection of electronic boards and compressors. The guide also includes practical tips for checking current consumption, distinguishing inverter units from standard units, and emphasizes purchasing from trusted centers to ensure long-term performance and reliability.
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