With climate change and rising costs, the scientists who develop HVAC technologies have been under pressure to create more eco-friendly, budget-friendly air conditioners. That’s led to positive change – air conditioners are more energy-efficient than ever. One of the most recent innovations on this front is the inverter AC.
We’re going to start this article by describing the basics of an inverter AC: What they do and why they’re great for consumers and the environment. From there, we’ll take a shallow dive into the technology underpinning these units – the inverter.
Sounds cool? Then let’s get started.
What are inverter ACs?
To understand inverter ACs, you need to know how traditional, non-inverter models work. A thermostat is used to detect when the temperature of an area, like a room or home, rises beyond a certain point. When this occurs, the AC turns on and begins cooling the area. Once the area is sufficiently cooled, the AC turns off again. The room then slowly begins to heat up, and the cycle continues.
This cycle comes with a number of negative consequences. Turning on and off requires more energy and creates more wear and tear. It also means temperatures in the area fluctuate – your AC will only turn on again when it gets too hot. If you have your AC set to 23°C, it will turn off when the area reaches 22°C and back on again when it gets to 24°C.
Inverter ACs solve all of these problems by using microprocessors and variable motor speeds. By adjusting (lowering) the amount of power that goes to the compressor when a given temperature is reached, the AC can maintain that temperature without turning on and off.
What are the benefits of inverter ACs?
Want to save money and live more comfortably? Inverter ACs are the way to go. They:
- Reduce your monthly energy bills
- Keep a more consistent temperature
- Undergo less wear and tear
- Make less noise
The only real downside to inverter ACs is that they cost more upfront – the savings, however, can be incredible. With a Carrier inverter AC, you’ll use 30-50% less energy on average than a traditional, non-inverter AC. In most cases, you’ll be able to save more than the difference in upfront cost.
What is inverter technology?
We’re not going to get too into depth about how inverters work – no need for a whole physics lesson – but we will describe the two main things inverters do for air conditioners:
The first is quite simple: They allow us to use microprocessors to control motor speeds. Most homes use AC power, but that energy needs to be converted to DC in order to power electronics. By using an inverter, we can tightly monitor temperatures and change motor speeds.
The second is to rotate the motor itself. In brief, inverters can be used to change electromagnetic currents, and this shift in currents can change the speed of the motor.
We carry inverter ACs
Who doesn’t want to be more comfortable all while saving money? Call Provincial Heating & Cooling Inc. We offer AC services in Winnipeg, including installing and repairing inverter ACs.