Inverter ACs are something that is making a lot of noise nowadays. Many of us don’t know what is an Inverter AC and do not know if it really has any benefits.
So in this article, we will explain what is an inverter AC and what are the key differences between Inverter AC Vs Non Inverter AC
How Do Air Conditioners work?
To understand inverter AC, we need to first understand how an AC works.
An air conditioner or a refrigerator works on the principle that the refrigerant takes the heat from the hot zone ( your room or refrigerator compartment) and dissipates that to the atmosphere.
When the refrigerant is in the evaporator, it is in a gaseous state and it is under low pressure and temperature. The refrigerant gas takes the heat from the room and then flows it to the compressor.
The compressor then increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant gas and turns it into a liquid. That liquid then passes through the condenser tubes.
While going through the condenser tube, the refrigerant dissipates heat into the atmosphere using natural or forced air circulation.
After that, the gas again goes into the evaporator after passing through expansion valves. The cycle then continues like that.
A compressor is called the heart of a refrigerator. Most of the work in a refrigerator is done by a compressor.
The compressor has a motor that creates the force to increase the pressure and the temperature of the refrigerant. The compressor motor can be a fixed-speed motor or a variable-speed motor.
What Is Inverter AC?
An inverter AC uses a variable-speed motor in the compressor. It can adjust the speed according to the heat load.
When the load is more, it runs at the highest speed, and when the load is less, it runs slowly.
This type of compressor can also control the amount of refrigerant that should flow based on the load.
Think of a car accelerator. When you need more speed, you press the accelerator, and the car takes more fuel. Right?. The same logic is applicable here also.
The compressor in an Inverter AC does not shut down when the desired temperature is reached. Many people have the misconception that if the compressor is shutting down frequently, they are saving more power. But it is wrong.
Frequent shutdown and restart of compressors consume more energy than keeping it running.
In an inverter AC, instead of the compressor getting shut down, it optimizes the speed of the compressor motor so that it draws less power.
Overall, an inverter AC can save up to 30-50% of energy than a non-inverter AC.
What Is Non-Inverter AC?
Non-inverter AC uses a fixed-speed motor. It can not adjust the speed of the motor based on the heat load.
For example, if you set the AC temperature at 25°C, then the compressor will shut down when the temperature reaches 25°C.
When the temperature goes above 25 degrees, the compressor will start operating again.
This frequent start and stop causes more energy loss. The fixed-speed motor used in the compressor always runs either at the highest speed or at no speed. It can not run at optimum speed.
If you notice carefully, you may have heard a ” Tick-Tick” sound from your AC every couple of minutes. This is the sound of the compressor shutting down and starting again. Due to this frequent start and stop, this type of compressor makes a lot of noise.
Inverter AC Vs Non Inverter AC
We will figure out the difference between Inverter AC vs Non-Inverter AC based on the following parameters.
The Compressor Unit
The basic difference between inverter AC and non-inverter AC lies in the compressor unit. It is the motor that makes all the difference.
In an inverter AC, the speed of the compressor motor is variable. More heat load means more speed.
In the case of a non-inverter AC, the compressor motor speed is fixed. It will either run at full speed or it will shut down.
Efficiency
Inverter ACs are more energy efficient as the compressor does not shut down and restarts frequently. This saves a lot of power.
Non-inverter ACs are power-hungry due to the frequent shutdown and restart of the compressor motor.
Performance
Performance-wise, inverter ACs make a lot of sense. Inverter compressors control the motor’s speed based on the heat, but they can also control the amount of refrigerant that is getting into the compressor.
Inverter ACs use the optimum amount of refrigerant and the optimum amount of power without sacrificing the cooling performance.
Noise
Inverter AC makes less noise as it does not shut down until you shut down the AC. Whereas a non-inverter AC always makes loud sounds due to frequent start and stop.
Cooling
In an inverter AC, you will always get even cooling. This is due to the variable speed compressor motor. Whereas in non-inverter AC, sometimes you will feel too cool, and sometimes you may feel that AC is not cooling down properly.
Reliability
Inverter AC compressors last longer than non-inverter AC compressors. The life of a compressor depends on how much load you are putting on it and how many times it is started and stopped.
Non-inverter AC compressor always runs at peak load and has a widespread start and top cycle. So these compressors are about to die sooner than an inverter AC compressor.
Cost
The initial cost of an inverter AC is indeed much higher than a non-inverter AC. The reason behind this is that the inverter AC has a different compressor unit, different motors, sensors, etc., whereas a non-inverter AC does not have that.
Difference Between Inverter AC Vs Non Inverter AC
| Aspects | Inverter AC | Non-Inverter AC |
|---|---|---|
| Compressor | Always On | Frequent start and stop |
| Power consumption | Low | High |
| Cooling performance | Stable | Uneven |
| Time to reach the desired temperature | Quick | Late |
| Compressor Motor type | Variable speed motor | Fixed Speed motor |
| Cost | Costly | Relatively cheap |
Inverter AC Power Consumption
Power consumption is one of the most important factors that must be considered when buying an air conditioner. Let us take a look into the matter in detail.
In an inverter AC, the power consumption is low because the compressor speed is controllable. Studies have shown that inverter AC power consumption is at least 30-50% lower than a non-inverter AC.
The difference between inverter AC and non-inverter AC becomes more prominent when we talk about power consumption. Since the compressor speed cannot be controlled and works with the same intensity throughout, the power consumption is high in non-inverter AC.
BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) has made it mandatory for all refrigerators and air conditioners to have the BEE energy label rating card printed on the product. Here is a sample of what a BEE label looks like.
Here is a chart showing the power consumption (KwHR or Number Of units) of Inverter AC and Non-Inverter AC
| # Of Stars | .75 Ton | 1 Ton | 1.5 Ton | 2 Ton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Star Non Inverter | 627 | 843 | 1246 | 1648 |
| 2 Star Non Inverter | 596 | 800 | 1184 | 1626 |
| 3 Star Inverter & Non Inverter | 542 | 747 | 1104 | 1448 |
| 4 Star Inverter | 464 | 645 | 945 | 1293 |
| 5 Star Inverter | 450 | 554 | 840 | 1113 |
Conclusion: Inverter AC vs Non Inverter AC
I hope this comparison between Inverter AC Vs. Non-inverter AC gave you enough insights to choose the best air conditioner as per your requirements. I always prefer an Inverter AC as it saves a lot of power over Non-Inverter ACs
If you still have any doubts or questions, please write in the comment section, and I will be happy to help.
FAQ | Difference Between Inverter And Non Inverter AC
Which AC Is The Best? Inverter Or Non-Inverter?
Inverter AC is always better in terms of cooling, energy consumption, and reliability. But in terms of cost, inverter AC is costlier than non-inverter AC.
Does Inverter AC Consume Less Electricity?
Yes, Inverter AC consumes less electricity
Does Inverter AC Mean I Can Run The AC Even During A Power Cut?
No, You can not. Inverter AC is meant for reducing power consumption only. There is no inbuilt battery.
Is There Any Window AC With Inverter Technology?
Yes, it does, but you will not find any except the LG brand. LG has a window AC with inverter technology.
