Best Posts in Thread: Types of AC?

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

 

So the Plot thickens, We ordered we thought. a 2 hp unit then upped it to 2.5 hp but When the technician came to do the Readings he alerted us to what could be a Problem, Because the Dining Area, Sala and Bed Hall an Kitchen are all open plan a 2 or 2.5 hp Unit will work Overtime to keep all open areas Cool, so he did the measurements again and to ensure the correct balance to keep the Thermostats working properly and not overwork the smaller units that of course will cost more in Running costs and could have Detrimental effects on the Equipment. we went for a 3 hp system. So It is always worth having things done Properly and be guided by those who's job it is.
The Difference Between the 3 Units is about 6.000 peso so I have plumped for this rather than have to install smaller units in other Areas that are just not needed.

JP