Why buy an Inverter AC?

Why buy an Inverter AC?

Inverter air conditioners are more powerful and more energy efficient. They offer around 50% more energy savings and are more efficient at maintaining temperature as compared to a non-inverter model.

The Inverter is a device in the air conditioner that controls frequency of power supplied to the compressor motor. In Inverter air conditioners, on achieving the desired temperature the compressor speed slows and the refrigerant rate drops, and the air conditioner works at a lower capacity. As a result, lower average power is consumed offering energy and electricity savings. In contrast, non-inverter air conditioners have a fixed speed compressor that cannot increase or decrease their speed and refrigerant flow rate as per the cooling requirements of the room. The compressor stops on reaching the desired temperature and when the temperature rises again the compressor & refrigerant flow restart. This stop/start cycle continues in a non-inverter air conditioner and results in higher power consumption. For example,

• A 1.5 Ton inverter air conditioner starts off at 1.7 Ton and as the desired temperature is achieved it reduces its capacity to 1.5, 1 or .3 Ton based on room conditions.
• A 1.5 Ton non-inverter air conditioner on the other hand works at 1.5 Ton all the times.

Energy ratings

An air conditioner’s efficiency is denoted by the energy efficiency ratio (EER). EER is the ratio of the cooling capacity to the power input. Thus the higher the EER rating the more energy efficient the unit will be. When buying a new room air conditioner, look for the EER levels in the Energy ratings. Buying a 5-star AC ensures that you save on electricity costs in the longer run. You are typically buying an AC for a minimum usage of 5 years and the savings will be more than the additional costs from a 3-star AC.

Refrigerants and Pollution

Air conditioners employ the same operating principles as the refrigerator. Refrigerants are the working fluids in refrigerators and air conditioners. In a nutshell, they absorb heat from one area, transfer it through coils and eject it outdoors usually through evaporation and condensation processes.

Earlier generation of refrigerants – chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) contributed to the depletion of stratospheric ozone and are being phased out by most countries, including India under international treaties. Most window AC’s use R22 refrigerant which is a HCFC and is scheduled to be phased out in a few years. As R-22 is gradually phased out, alternative refrigerants are being introduced. Some of the substitutes are R-410A, R32 and R290 which do not contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. Many modern inverter AC’s these refrigerants which are environment friendly. You will continue to get R22 refrigerants for refilling but just note that it is not really environment friendly. They are the best ac in india