Picking the perfect air conditioning system for your house is very important and there are many factors to be considered to ensure you’re doing that. Energy efficiency, proper size, proper type, and whether it’s the most cost-effective option or not are all crucial factors to take into consideration. However, assessing whether your home is more suited for an inverter or non-inverter air conditioner is very important as well since it can make a huge difference.
| TL;DR — key takeaways
● Inverter air conditioners have variable-speed compressors, so they tend to have more precise control over temperatures and intricately designed components which results in certain pros and cons. While they tend to be more efficient, noiseless, and consistent, they also tend to be costlier and harder to maintain. ● Non-inverter air conditioners have fixed-speed compressors, which is why they’re cheaper than inverter air conditioners. However, they do come with many disadvantages, which can compromise your comfort. |
Inverter vs Non-inverter AC
Let’s take a look at how inverter and non-inverter air conditioners work, and what kind of advantages and disadvantages each of them offers to see which one’s more suited for your home:
The core functionality of inverter air conditioners
Inverters help your air conditioner adjust its cooling or heating level based on the temperature outside so that they can increase or decrease the compressor’s speed based on the atmosphere’s temperature rather than shutting down completely when the desired temperature has been reached.
Here are some of the advantages that inverter air conditioners come with:
Advantages of Inverter AC:
● Energy efficiency:
Inverter air conditioners tend to be more energy efficient compared to non-inverter ones due to their operational efficiency. Since they function through precise temperature control rather than an on/off cycle, they tend to save more energy as frequent on/off cycles lead to more energy consumption. Also, their temperature management leads to better energy usage optimization which is also a factor that contributes to increasing energy efficiency.
● Silent operation:
Typically, inverter air conditioners run at lower speeds, which is why they produce less noise compared to non-inverter air conditioners while operating. Also, since they don’t have a frequent on/off cycle, they don’t create disruptive noise too often.
● Longevity:
Frequent shutdowns tend to stress the AC components unnecessarily as a massive surge of power enters your air conditioner whenever you turn it on. Since inverters don’t let your air conditioners go through an on/off cycle, they reduce the wear and tear that a frequent on/off cycle usually puts on electronic HVAC devices. Also, inverter air conditioners use energy in a more optimized way by adjusting the heating and cooling speed, which helps to reduce energy usage and, in turn, minimizes strain on the compressors.
● Consistency in temperature control:
With inverter air conditioners, there’s much more consistency in temperature control since they adjust it according to the information they receive through their sensors that monitor the room’s ambiance. This functionality results in better consistency in the temperature throughout the house compared to non-inverter air conditioners as they go through frequent on/off cycles.
● Cost-effectiveness:
Because of variable speed compressors, inverter air conditioners can operate more efficiently by reducing energy consumption. Not only that, but inverters also make sure to increase the amount of energy fed to air conditioners gradually rather than letting a huge surge of power go through, which also ensures better energy optimization. Because of this, inverter air conditioners put less stress on the components, resulting in reduced gradual damage. Due to better energy optimization and less wear and tear on the components, inverter air conditioners save a lot more money in energy bills and maintenance costs than non-inverter air conditioners.
● Improved control over humidity:
Since inverters help air conditioners run continuously without disruption, they help prevent moisture buildup effectively as they can properly cool the air without taking disruptive breaks.
● Faster cooling and heating:
Inverter air conditioners don’t go through on/off cycles which is why they don’t face interruptions while operating, resulting in faster cooling and heating.
Admittedly, inverter air conditioners come with a whole lot of advantages. However, it’s important to know about the few disadvantages they have as well, so let’s take a look at those:
Disadvantages of Inverter AC:
● Higher installation costs:
Inverter air conditioners are built using more advanced technology and high-end components, which is why they need specially trained technicians for installation, who end up charging more for their expertise and experience in handling such complexity.
● Complex installation and maintenance:
Due to possessing high-quality tech and components, installation and maintenance for inverter air conditioners tend to be somewhat complex. In most cases, getting professional help for routine maintenance will be compulsory if you decide to get an inverter air conditioner.
● High energy usage in certain situations:
Usually inverter air conditioners help you save more energy by reducing energy consumption as they don’t go through a frequent on/off cycle. However, depending on the weather, frequent temperature adjustments may be required, which may lead to higher energy consumption in certain cases.
Basic functionalities of non-inverter air conditioners:
Non-inverter air conditioners are built using fixed-speed compressors that help non-inverter air conditioners run at full speed until the desired temperature has been reached. After that, they automatically shut down.
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a non-inverter air conditioner:
Advantages of Non-Inverter AC:
● Simplicity:
Fixed-speed compressors tend to have simpler designs than variable-speed compressors. Because of this, non-inverter air conditioners are easier to handle when dealing with installation and maintenance.
● Affordable installation:
As their components are not intricately designed, Non-inverter air conditioners are comparatively simplistic, which is why they tend to be cheaper. This is also why technicians don’t need any kind of extra training to handle them, so the overall installation cost is a lot lower compared to how it is for non-inverter air conditioners.
● Convenient in certain cases:
For temporary heating or cooling, non-inverter air conditioners tend to be more convenient as they run at full speed until the desired temperatures have been reached.
● Availability:
Non-inverter air conditioners have been around for ages, so technicians have an easier time figuring them out. As a result, in case of an HVAC emergency, you won’t have a hard time finding a skilled technician to help you out. Also, since non-inverter air conditioners are widely available, their parts and components are easy to find whenever replacements are required. In short, if anything goes wrong with your non-inverter air conditioner, you will surely find ways to fix it.
● Easy maintenance:
Due to their simplistic designs, non-inverter air conditioners have easier maintenance processes compared to air conditioners with variable-speed compressors.
Disadvantages of Non-Inverter AC:
● Inconsistent temperature:
As non-inverter air conditioners shut down once they reach the desired temperature, they frequently create temporary periods of discomfort as they are unable to keep the temperature consistent as they do not have variable-speed compressors that effectively help to keep a consistent temperature.
● Lower energy efficiency:
Non-inverter air conditioners go through frequent on/off cycles which result in high energy usage. Also, non-inverter air conditioners run at full speed whenever they’re operating, unlike inverter air conditioners that adjust their compressor speed as necessary, resulting in electricity wastage.
● Shorter Lifespan:
Non-inverter air conditioners tend to have shorter lifespans as their fixed-speed compressors tend to put more wear and tear on the overall system by frequently making them go through on/off cycles. Also, since non-inverter air conditioners run at full speed while operating, they tend to put more stress on the components, which is also a crucial factor that shortens their lifespan.
Which one’s right for you? Inverter A/C or Non-Inverter AC?
Let’s see a comparison of inverted and non-inverted air conditioners for different factors involved to decide which one’s right for you:
Costs
An inverter air conditioner is undoubtedly what you should go for if you’re looking to rack up some long-term savings. Although their initial installation costs are higher, over the years, they will prove to be a lot more cost-effective compared to non-inverter air conditioners by significantly reducing your electricity bills. Also, inverter air conditioners tend to have longer lifespans due to their functionalities, so having one means you won’t need to think about getting a replacement for at least quite some time. However, if you don’t want to spend too much money on installation, non-inverter air conditioners are also a great option that you can go for anytime.
Maintenance
When it comes to maintenance, non-inverter air conditioners are definitely the superior option considering their simplicity. As they don’t have intricately designed components, maintaining them is quite easy and affordable. Non-inverter air conditioners are also the better option even when it comes to getting replacements for certain parts due to their wide availability. If you live somewhere remote, non-inverter air conditioners are undoubtedly the best option for you.
Comfort
Inverter air conditioners are much better at ensuring comfort than non-inverter ones, as they are able to operate without frequent disruptions. They can cool or heat your space at a faster speed and let you relax in peace for hours since they do not have an on/off cycle. Also, they are better at maintaining a consistent temperature as they can adjust their compressor speed as needed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, based on everything that’s been discussed so far, inverter air conditioners are undoubtedly the superior option, especially when it comes to cost-effectiveness and comfort, which are crucial factors to consider when deciding on an air conditioner. However, in some cases, non-inverter air conditioners may come in handy as well. No matter what you do, make sure to consider all the important factors beforehand to make the best decision. Happy air conditioner hunting!
