You have many choices when it comes to replacing or installing a new AC system. You might feel overwhelmed when considering the many factors needed to ensure you make the right choice. In warmer climates like California, installing an inverter AC system instead of a traditional system can pay off. In this article, we’ll explain exactly what inverter AC systems are and what benefits they can provide.
Traditional vs. Inverter AC Systems
The main difference between traditional and inverter AC systems is found in the compressor type. Conventional air conditioning systems have a single-stage compressor that can only run at one speed and continually cycles on and off to maintain the desired indoor temperature. Most systems are set up to come on when the temperature increases to 1 degree above the thermostat setting and continue to run until the temperature drops to 1 degree below this setting.
Inverter AC systems have a variable-speed compressor and a variable-speed blower that can continually adjust the system’s cooling output based on the current needs. When the system first comes on, the compressor and blower will start running at a fairly low speed before ramping up and increasing the output so that the house cools quickly.
At certain times, the compressor may run at full speed. This most commonly happens in situations where you set your thermostat to a lower temperature during the day to save energy. Once the thermostat switches back to the normal temperature setting in the afternoon, the compressor will gradually ramp up to full speed so that the system can quickly reach the desired temperature.
Once the system reaches that temperature, the compressor and blower will slow down and continually adjust the output as needed to maintain that temperature. This allows the system to use as little energy as necessary to prevent the temperature from fluctuating.
Traditional AC systems usually cycle two to three times an hour and run around 15 to 20 minutes per cycle. Inverter AC systems will usually run continuously from when they first turn on during the late morning to early afternoon. They continue this pattern until the temperatures drop in the evening and the house can stay cool without the AC running.
There are also two-stage AC systems that have two compressor speeds. While a two-stage system is still more efficient and will cost you less to run than a traditional single-stage system, it won’t compete with a variable-speed inverter system in terms of noise, comfort and efficiency.
High Efficiency and Low Cooling Costs
Even though an inverter AC system will run for more hours a day than a traditional system, it will still use much less electricity overall. In an inverter system, the compressor will typically only be on full power around 20% of the time at most. Most of the time, it will only run at half speed or lower, and it uses 50% less energy than normal when running at half speed. Most variable-speed compressors can even slow down to 25-30% speed.
Not having to continuously cycle on and off also helps an inverter system to save energy. It usually takes around three to five times as much power for the motors in a traditional system to turn on and immediately start running at full speed compared to what they use when they’re fully up and running. This start-up power draw can add up when you consider how many times the system cycles on per day. Inverter systems don’t have this issue since they run constantly and the blower and compressor always start at a fairly low speed.
An inverter system will typically use around one-third less energy than a traditional system, allowing you to keep your house cool for far less. In California, this can potentially add savings of anywhere from $100 to $250 a year or more compared to cooling your house with a basic traditional system. When you add up the savings over the average 12- to 15-year life of an AC system, an inverter system will usually be the more cost-effective choice in the long term.
Your savings will always be greatest if you have a newer home that’s properly insulated and well sealed. If you have an older house that’s insufficiently insulated, your savings will be less because the leaks force the compressor to run more frequently. In this case, it may not always be worth paying the higher cost to install an inverter system. The energy savings may not be enough to offset the increased initial cost.
Quiet Operation
Most modern AC systems are quieter than older systems. With a traditional system, you’ll usually be able to hear the sound of the outdoor unit in any rooms near it. You’ll also usually hear the noise of the blower running throughout the house. Unless an inverter system is running at or near full speed, it will be extremely quiet. Whenever the compressor and blower are running at a much lower speed, they can sometimes be almost silent.
More Consistent Temperatures and Improved Overall Comfort
Hot spots in certain parts of a house are a common issue with traditional single-stage air conditioning systems. What happens is that the system will often cool the central part of the house where the thermostat is located fairly quickly and not stay on long enough to cool rooms along the exterior or rooms with large windows or skylights. You may still have slight differences in temperature from room to room with an inverter system, but you should not regularly encounter issues with certain rooms being significantly warmer.
Zone Control Capabilities
With an inverter AC, you also have the option to upgrade to a zone-control system. A zone-control system has multiple thermostats and uses metal dampers at various points in the air ducts to split the house up into individual cooling zones. Each thermostat controls the damper for its zone and can signal it to open and close based on the current temperature in that zone. While the system will typically still run continuously, there will be times when only some zones are open and being cooled.
With a zone-control system, you can also adjust each thermostat independently — allowing you to keep different zones warmer or cooler. Not only will a zone-control system further improve your comfort and fully eliminate hot and cold spots, but it will also use even less energy.
Rely on the HVAC Pros at White Mechanical, Inc.!
Since 2002, White Mechanical, Inc. has been helping home and business owners in Foothills Ranch and throughout Orange County effectively manage their indoor comfort. We are a Lennox Premier Dealer and offer a wide range of top-quality inverter, two-stage and traditional AC systems to meet the needs of any building.
We also offer free estimates on new ductless AC installations as well as financing options on approved credit. To set up a consultation and decide if an inverter AC system is right for you, contact us today.
