New Delhi, Oct. 24 -- For years, air conditioners in India have been treated like seasonal guests that are switched on in April and forgotten by October. But the new generation of inverter and heat-pump ACs has quietly changed the game. They're no longer just cooling machines. They can heat, purify, dehumidify, and circulate air efficiently through the year.

If you already own one, here's how to get more out of it long after summer ends.

Most inverter ACs now come with a heat pump system that flips the cooling cycle to deliver warm air during winter. It works by pulling heat from the outside air, even when it's chilly, and circulating it indoors. Unlike traditional heaters, this doesn't dry out the air or burn oxygen, keeping the room c...