Types of AC?

I know about window AC but see reference to "split/inverter" type AC in some ads. Is one more effective or efficient than the other?

 

Fixed-speed Compressors vs. Mitsubishi Electric’s INVERTER® Technology

 

Great help, thanks.

 

Inverter type AC are supposed to be more efficient according to their advertising, you can believe it or not. The advert may state that fixed speed units draw 4-5 times rated power during startup but that is not true. The starting current will be 4-5 times rated but the power (which you pay for) is only 1.5-1.7 times rated. The cost is significantly higher for an inverter type AC.

The conventional AC units have a lot of noise, especially when the compressor starts. The starting noise will often wake me up.
Inverter type have a "soft start" function where the compressor makes almost no sound when it starts; additionally the compressor runs using a variable speed drive and turns only as fast as it has to in order to cool the room. The fan in my room runs at a constant speed.

The cooling inside the room is kept at a constant level because the compressor is always at the correct speed. The ordinary AC tend to have variations in room temperature because the compressor is always starting and stopping. On some models the fan inside the room starts and stops as well (very annoying).

I have seen window type inverter AC units and I think they would be similar in operation the split type inverter AC that I have.

One draw back to a split type AC is the installation cost. I think they wanted about 6-7K peso. I had the guys from Polaris do my installation. Their work was immaculate. The actually did a proper commissioning job comparing compressor current, refrigerant temperatures and air temp in my room.

 

Where I am living (N. California - in the mountains), I have a Mitsubishi, wall-mounted "split", A/C-heater in a 250 sq. foot room.

BOY! First time with a wall-mounted unit and it has done an EXCELLENT job at keeping this room cool in the heat (days with temps over 100 and I actually had to turn the A/C down at times).

Being up in the mountains, I expect the Winters here to get colder at night than on the flats.

So I hope the heater part works as well when I need it.

So far, I've had great economy and comfort with this inverter system - the A/C works very well for this room size.

I've slept well at night even when the outside temps would have made sleeping a "toss and turn" event.

It's a quiet machine, requires no ducting, pushes the motor only when it needs to, and is economical when compared to other non-inverter options.

Just my humble opinion as an end user....

V/R,
nwlivewire

 

I had a split/inverter zircon which we used every night in the master bedroom. Kept having maintenance problems. After 3 years the owner of the shop told me inverters are problematic. Switched to same brand sane size non-inverter and no problems now.

 

Odd how they never tell you this when you Buy, Polaris say the opposite but..........................
JP

 

They charge you more for inverter models and say your Noreco bill will be less. I didn't experience that.

 

Well just had a 1 hp in M/B and ordered a 2 hp for the Sala so I will see what happens.

Jack

 

When I was in Iraq, the Officer Billeting area where I was stationed used the Mitsubishi brand of wall mounted A/C systems in their containerized housing units. I can attest to this brand being able to work well in those withering heat loads.

Don't know if this manufacturer brand is available in the Philippines, but I figure if it can work well in that blistering heat, it will probably work well in your area.

Initially, they may cost more (don't know about this part). But if they last longer without break-downs, you'd be money ahead in the long run.

nwlivewire