Inverter air conditioners, are they really worth it when compared to regular air conditioners? Do they really meet the needs in this era of high electricity bills? Let’s find the answer in this article.
Is it time for us to replace the air conditioner at home?
Sometimes we ourselves do not remember when we bought the air conditioner or when was the last time we cleaned it? Because we usually use it to its full potential. But when the air conditioner breaks down, we will know immediately that it is time for us to replace it. But wouldn’t it be better if we had good enough conditions to decide early on when we should or shouldn’t replace it?
Here is a checklist to check if the air conditioner we are using at home is it time to change?
- Is our air conditioner more than 10 years old?
- Do we often have problems with air conditioning breaking down or being repaired?
- Is our air conditioner making intermittent noises, or is there strange noises or unpleasant odors coming from it?
- Our electricity bill at home has been continuously increasing, while our air conditioner usage time is normal as usual, right?
- Is our air conditioner starting to not be as cool and comfortable as we want? For example, it takes longer to cool down than before or it is not cool anymore?
If we answered yes to all 4 or more questions, it means that now is the time for us to consider changing to a new air conditioner. But when choosing to buy a new air conditioner, since we are going to change it anyway, which type of air conditioner should we choose?
Is it true that inverter air conditioners are cool and save money?
What is an inverter air conditioner? According to Daikin, an inverter air conditioner is a system that controls the operation of the air compressor that converts AC power from a general power supply with a constant voltage and frequency into DC power by a converter circuit. Then, the DC power is converted into AC power that can adjust the voltage and frequency by an inverter circuit. The operation of an inverter air conditioner is different from the air conditioners we normally use. When an inverter air conditioner starts, the temperature will gradually decrease to the set level. After that, the compressor will adjust the operating cycle to maintain a constant temperature in the room at all times.
While general air conditioners that are not inverter systems, when starting up, the temperature will gradually drop below the set level by about 1-2 degrees. After that, the compressor will cut off or stop working. Then the temperature will gradually rise. Exceeding the set level by 1-2 degrees, the compressor will start working again. This makes the temperature in the room too cold, alternating with too hot all the time. This process of turning on and off the compressor of general air conditioners (which is similar to driving a car that has to encounter traffic jams, running and stopping like this all the time) causes a lot of electricity consumption because the compressor is working at full capacity. It also makes loud noises because the compressor is cut off and working, making it slow to cool and not controlling the cooling well.
This is the main reason why inverter air conditioners save more electricity than regular air conditioners, but they also come at a higher price.
Inverter air conditioners: value for money with higher prices
Let’s do a cost-effectiveness calculation to show the financial benefits of using an inverter air conditioner over a non-inverter air conditioner. Let’s assume that our home has two air conditioners with the same cooling capacity, but one is an inverter and the other is a non-inverter. We will compare the annual energy costs for both units based on the assumption that they are used 8 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Inverter air conditioners have a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU/hour and a power consumption of 1,200 watts. Regular non-inverter air conditioners also have a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU/hour but consume 1,500 watts.
To calculate the annual energy cost, we need to determine the total electricity usage (kWh) for both air conditioners and multiply it by the cost per kWh. Assuming an average electricity cost of 4 baht per kilowatt hour, the annual energy cost for each air conditioner would be calculated as follows:
- Inverter air conditioner: Total electricity usage = (1,200 watts x 8 hours/day) / 1,000 = 9.6 kWh/day Annual electricity usage = 9.6 kWh/day x 365 days = 3,504 kWh/year Annual energy cost = 3,504 kWh/year x 4 baht /kWh = 14,016 baht/year
- Normal air conditioner: Total electricity usage = (1,500 watts x 8 hours/day) / 1,000 = 12 kWh/day Annual electricity usage = 12 kWh/day x 365 days = 4,380 kWh/year Annual energy cost = 4,380 kWh/year x 4 baht/kWh = 17,520 baht/year
From the calculation, the annual energy cost for an inverter air conditioner is 3,504 kWh x 4 baht/kWh = 14,016 baht, while the annual energy cost for a regular air conditioner is 4,380 kWh x 4 baht/kWh = 17,520 baht, which means that using an inverter air conditioner will save you 3,504 baht per year on your electricity bill.
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “The Cost of Energy Efficiency: Understanding the Lifespan and Maintenance Needs of Your Air Conditioner.” 2023, inverter air conditioners also have a longer lifespan than conventional, non-inverter air conditioners because inverter technology allows the compressor to start and stop gradually, which reduces the load on the compressor and other components of the unit. As a result, inverters can last up to 20 years or more with proper maintenance. Non-inverter units, on the other hand, typically last about 10-15 years.
If we assume that the inverter air conditioner has a lifespan of 20 years and the normal air conditioner that does not use an inverter has a lifespan of 15 years, the total cost savings for using an inverter will be 3,504 baht/year x 20 years = 70,080 baht, which is a lot of money that can be saved by investing in an inverter air conditioner (which in fact we use it for only 10 years, which is okay).
However, the above calculation examples are just assumptions, which show the financial benefits we will get from choosing an inverter air conditioner over a conventional air conditioner that does not use an inverter. The actual cost savings will depend on various factors such as the size of the air conditioner, installation, usage patterns, and electricity rates, etc.
Conclusion
When choosing between an inverter and a non-inverter air conditioner, it is important to consider the long-term benefits as well. Although the initial cost of purchasing an inverter air conditioner may be higher, the energy savings and longer lifespan will result in lower costs in the long run. Additionally, the environmental impact of using an inverter is reduced as it reduces energy consumption and helps with greenhouse gas emissions.
In summary, inverter air conditioners offer many benefits over regular air conditioners, such as more energy saving, better temperature control, longer lifespan, and more environmentally friendly. So when the time comes to decide to buy an air conditioner, in a situation where the weather is getting hotter and the electricity bills are also increasing, inverter air conditioners are cool and save money. It is a choice that is truly worth the price paid.
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