Inverter technology

Traditional air conditioners with fix-speed compressors have to switch on

and off the compressor constantly in order to regulate the room
temperature. Modern air-conditioners use for energy-saving purposes the
inverter technology.
Inverter technology uses a variable speed compressor motor similar to a
car. It simply slows down and speeds up as needed to hold a selected
comfort setting.
Inverter technology provides a more precise room temperature without the
temperature fluctuations of fixed speed systems.
In 1981 Toshiba was the first producer, who launched air-conditions systems
with the inverter technology on the market.
Basic principle of the inverter
The inverter air-conditioner increases or decreases the room temperature
through altering the rotary speed of the compressor. If the room cooled
down or heated up to the required temperature, the inverter automatically
reduces the rotary speed of the compressor in order to save energy and to
minimize any temperature fluctuations.
Advantages:
Through the regulation of the compressors rotary speed the inverter only
produces as much capacity as actually is needed. The units consume
very little energy.
As in contrast to units with fix rotary speed the compressors of inverter
units dont have to be switched on and off all the time. Just the rotary speed
is changed and therefore the life lifespan is increased.
How come the stepless changes of the compressors rotary speed?
The speed of rotation of a compressor is determined by the frequency of its
power supply. The inverter board changes the frequency of the supply
voltage of the compressor.
First AC voltage will be converted into DC voltage; then transistors
produces alternating current with variable frequency. The inverter power
drive is able to change the frequency of the supply voltage for the
compressor according the actual demand.

Inverter vs Standard:
Inverter units are Approximately 30% more efficient than fixed speed
units.
Inverter units reach the set room temperature quicker.
The speed control of the outdoor unit also means quieter operation, this
is important especially at night in residential areas.

Inverter Systems

Fixed Speed Type

Increased output to
achieve set temperature
faster.

Slowly gets to
temperature as output
rating is fixed.

Then varies the output

to maintain a constant
room temperature.

Then turns on and

off to maintain room
temperature.

To get these efficiency gains it is important to use the air conditioner as it is

intended:

the unit has to be sized right for the room you are heating/cooling

it is best to run the unit continuously and set for the desired room
temperature (i.e. such as 21 Celcius) and not at a full setting for heating
or cooling (as most people do)

and of course - a well insulated, low-thermal mass villa helps too...