by Imagine an air conditioner that doesn’t just turn on, blast cold air, and switch off. Instead, it adapts, adjusts, and tunes to your perfect temperature. That’s exactly what an inverter air conditioner does. Unlike traditional ACs, inverter technology uses a variable-speed compressor, allowing it to cool your space efficiently, cut down on energy costs, and maintain a consistent temperature.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly what an inverter air conditioner is, how it works, and why so many homeowners are opting for this smarter, quieter, and more eco-friendly choice.
What is an Inverter Air Conditioner?
Inverter air conditioners use inverter technology to adjust the temperature. The inverter technology is an energy-saving technology to control the speed of motors for energy efficiency.
Traditional ACs operate at a fixed speed. Meanwhile, the inverter AC continuously operates at variable speeds to control the temperature of your home. It provides energy efficiency which can lower your energy bills.
Inverter AC vs Traditional AC
As you know now “what is an inverter air conditioner”, there still arises confusion on whether to use it or not. Francis Kaspar, an HVAC professional at The Chill Brothers suggests Inverter Air Conditioners over traditional air conditioners due to the numerous benefits of Inverter ACs.
1.Energy Efficient
Inverter ACs reduce 30% to 50% energy consumption.
The constant on-off process in traditional air conditioners leads to a huge energy consumption. However, variable-speed compressors in inverter air conditioners don’t experience energy spikes.
2.Consistent Temperature
Inverter air conditioners continuously track and balance the temperature. You don’t encounter any sudden change or hot spots around the house.
3.Quieter Operation
Traditional air conditioners are usually noisy as they start frequently. But inverter air conditioners are quieter comparatively as they run at a lower speed mostly after reaching the set temperature.
4.Eco-conscious System
Traditional ACs emit greenhouse gasses more than inverter ACs. As inverter ACs use less energy, they have a lower carbon footprint. It is considered a greener choice for its eco-conscious system.
5.Longevity
Inverter air conditioners typically serve longer than any traditional system. As these ACs avoid frequent on-and-off, they reduce the pressure on the compressor which leads to fewer breakdowns. So, you can use inverter ACs for a long time.
With all these benefits, inverter air conditioners have a considerable drawback. As HVAC installation cost is one of the main things to consider, it can be a drawback for inverter ACs. However, it will save costs in the long run. Any HVAC professional in Houston will recommend using an inverter AC for optimal cooling in your home.
Key Components of Inverter Air Conditioner
Before understanding how an inverter air conditioner works, we need to understand the components of an inverter air conditioner.
| Components | Functions |
| Compressor | It is the core component of the inverter AC. It adjusts its speed according to your demand and keeps the temperature consistent. |
| Inverter Circuit | The Inverter circuit helps to regulate the compressor at variable speed. It mainly converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). |
| Refrigerant | Refrigerants work in the same way as in traditional ACs. It absorbs the heat that exists in your home and emits it outside making the indoor air cooler. |
| Evaporator Coil | The evaporator coil is located inside the AC unit and is essential for making the indoor air cool. It has refrigerant inside which takes up the heat when the indoor air is blown over the coil. Then the cool air is circulated into your house. |
| Condenser Coil | This is a part of the outside unit. When the refrigerants absorb heat, they move to the condenser coil and release the heat outside. |
| Expansion Valve | It works in tandem with the variable-speed compressor. It helps the refrigerant to flow into the evaporator coil efficiently. |
| Fan and Blower | They generally circulate the air over both the evaporator coil and condenser coil. The fan also helps to distribute the cooled air evenly. |
| Thermostat | Thermostats measure the room temperature and continuously provides feedback to the inverter circuit to maintain a balanced temperature. |
| Filters | Filters prevent dust, pollen, and other airborne particles from entering and circulating in your indoor air. |
| Controller (Remote/App) | It allows you to set the temperature and control different modes through a remote or an app. |
How Inverter Air Conditioner Works
Inverter ACs constantly adjust the speed of the compressor and keep the indoor temperature consistent. These do not work like other traditional air conditioners. Inverter air conditioners combine all the above-mentioned components and work efficiently to provide consistent temperature and comfort. Here’s how it works:
1. Initial Phase
Traditional air conditioners take longer to reach optimum temperatures because of operating at a single speed.
When you turn an inverter AC on, it usually starts at a high compressor speed. This quickly cools down your space. It is also the maximum capacity phase of the compressor.
2.Reaching and Maintaining the Desired Temperature
After reaching the desired temperature, the compressor doesn’t shut down like traditional air conditioners. Instead, the compressor slows down to maintain the temperature.
This is done by the inverter circuit. The inverter circuit changes the voltage and frequency of the electrical signal to control the speed of the motor in the condenser.
3.Continuous Adjustment
An inverter AC continuously checks on the indoor temperature and makes adjustments to keep the indoor temperature comfortable.
– If your space turns warmer, the inverter air conditioner increases the speed of the compressor and balances the temperature.
– If the space turns cooler, the compressor speed is decreased to keep consistency.
This continuous adjustment can save energy as it does not have to restart frequently like traditional ACs.
4. Flow of Refrigerants
The refrigerants flow in a cycle to absorb and release heat:
– When the compressor works at maximum capacity, the refrigerant turns into high-pressure gas.
– Then it goes through the condenser coil and releases the heat outside turning into a high-pressure liquid.
– Later it flows through an expansion valve that makes it a cool, low-pressure liquid.
– This cool liquid further moves into the evaporator coil and absorbs the indoor heat. It makes the indoor space cooler and the refrigerant turns into warmer gas and moves towards the compressor again.
The whole process cycles over and over again and keeps your space cool.
Things to Keep in Mind: Do Not Avoid
Experts like The Chill Brothers and other HVAC professionals suggest considering the following things while using an inverter air conditioner.
- Ensure you pick the correct size of inverter AC for your home.
- Set the temperature between 75° to 78°F for optimal energy savings and comfort.
- If your inverter AC has an energy-saving mode, utilize it.
- Clean the filters every 1 to 3 months and ensure regular maintenance.
- Do not frequently adjust the temperature.
- Ensure your house or room is well-insulated.
- If your living area experiences power fluctuations most often, use a stabilizer to protect the compressor from being damaged.
- Allow the inverter AC to run continuously. Do not go on and off frequently.
- If any issue arises, always get help from HVAC professionals.
Final Thoughts
What is an inverter air conditioner and why is it better than traditional ACs is explained above. However, the choice is always yours and it would be wise to take advice from experts before you install one inverter AC. Do not forget the initial installation costs as they might bother you later.
