Inverter vs non-inverter AC: which should you buy?
The basic difference
A non-inverter AC runs its compressor at full speed, then switches off when the room is cool, then starts again. An inverter AC slows the compressor down and keeps it running steadily at lower power.
What this means for you
| Inverter | Non-inverter | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | Usually higher | Usually lower |
| Running cost | Usually lower, mainly if used many hours | Higher when used for long hours |
| Temperature | Steadier | Swings between on and off |
| Noise | Often quieter once settled | Louder when the compressor starts |
Savings claims on adverts vary a lot. Use the energy label figures, not the headline percentage.
Does the extra price pay back?
Use this simple method:
- Find the price difference between two similar models.
- Estimate the yearly running-cost difference from their energy labels and your electricity rate.
- Divide the price difference by the yearly saving. That is the number of years to pay back.
If you run the AC only a couple of hours a day, the payback can be long. If it runs through the night for several months a year, an inverter is more likely to pay off.
A rule of thumb
- Heavy use (long hours, many months): choose an inverter.
- Light use (a guest room, a few hours a day): a good non-inverter can be enough.
Always compare same-capacity models with the same star rating, or the comparison is unfair. Check current prices before you decide, because they change often.
Ready to compare prices?
See air conditioners and coolers side by side on PickSmart.
Compare ACs on PickSmart
See air conditioners and coolers side by side on PickSmart.
Compare ACs on PickSmart