January 3, 2025
There’s no doubt that the HVAC industry is a constantly evolving one. From enhancing energy efficiency to developing better refrigerants, there are many innovations made each year. One that homeowners should understand is inverter technology with respect to new residential air conditioning systems.
The Problem With Traditional AC Units
Traditional air conditioning units have two operation levels: full blast and off. Whenever the ambient temperature rises above your thermostat setting, your AC unit will kick on full blast and run until your indoor temperature gets back down to the setting on your thermostat. Running at 100% operating capability can be a bit noisy and also will create more uncomfortable interior temperature fluctuations. For example, you may feel overly hot at one moment and overly cold 10 minutes later.
The Solution Is Inverter Technology
Inverter technology essentially allows your air conditioning system to operate at varying capacities, depending on your specific needs at the time. Instead of running at full blast, shutting off, and repeating the process all day long, inverter technology works much differently.
An air conditioning system that uses inverter technology will run continuously, varying its operating capacity as needed. This will allow it to better maintain your indoor air temperature and increase your family’s comfort level. An air conditioning system with inverter technology has a variable-speed compressor that will consistently adjust its output based on your current needs.
If the temperatures are rising quickly, it will switch to operating close to full capacity. However, as it nears your ideal indoor temperature, it will slow down its speed to simply maintain that temperature. There are many great advantages you can enjoy from investing in a new air conditioning system that uses inverter technology, which we’ve outlined below.
Quieter Operation
One of the key benefits of using inverter technology is that your air conditioning system doesn’t have to run on full blast. It can run at 40%, 50%, or any other percentage of its operating capacity depending on your needs. When it’s running at less than 100% capacity, it’s noticeably quieter when operating. Even better, because systems with inverter technology run continuously, there’s no abrupt start-up noise multiple times an hour.
More Consistent Home Temperature
Probably the most desirable benefit of inverter technology is that it helps to maintain a more consistent temperature inside your home. There won’t be any noticeable temperature fluctuations like you would get with a traditional single-speed model. It’s also important to note that inverter air conditioning units can be paired with zoning systems to offer even more flexibility and comfort for homeowners.
Lower Energy Bills
When you hear that these systems will be running continuously, you may believe that they’re going to increase your energy bills. That’s actually not the case. AC systems with inverter technology can actually lower your summertime cooling bill by up to 50%. That’s a lot of energy savings for an average household.
AC inverter units can offer these energy savings because they take much less energy to run at 40% operating capacity compared to always running at 100% capacity. Plus, air conditioning systems with inverter technology don’t incur the high energy spikes from frequent starts up like a traditional AC unit does. When your AC system uses less energy overall, you can have peace of mind that you’re lowering your family’s carbon footprint.
Longer System Lifespan
One lesser-known benefit of inverter technology is that it causes less wear and tear on your air conditioner’s components. Since this AC system isn’t operating at full capacity all of the time, its internal components don’t wear out as quickly. This leads to a much longer lifespan than a traditional air conditioning system.
High Repair Costs
There’s no doubt that air conditioning systems with inverter technology are much more complex than those that don’t have inverter technology. This can lead to costlier AC repair bills due to the individual complexity of the components. Furthermore, systems with inverter technology typically require technicians who are specifically trained to work on this type of technology.
Higher Up-front Cost
One notable disadvantage of investing in an air conditioning system with inverter technology is that it comes at a higher up-front cost. However, they do offer lower operating costs when compared to traditional AC units. If you purchase an inverter AC system that has an ENERGY STAR rating, you can become eligible to receive a federal tax incentive under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
Tips on Choosing the Right Inverter AC System for Your Home
With the potential to save a bundle on your summertime energy bills, you may be considering getting an AC with inverter technology. When you do, you’ll need to take numerous things into consideration. One of the most important is the capacity of the unit. Proper sizing is an absolute necessity to ensure the most efficient operation of your system and your utmost comfort throughout the hot summer season. While there are numerous ways to estimate system size based on the total square footage of your home, it’s best to rely on a professional to do more precise measurements.
Another feature to consider is the SEER rating of the cooling system. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the system’s operation will be. However, it’s important to also consider price. The higher the SEER rating, the more expensive the unit will be to purchase. Additionally, consider any extra features you want the unit to have, like Wi-Fi connectivity.
Maintenance Requirements
As with any type of home cooling system, air conditioning systems with inverter technology will need to receive regular maintenance to stay in tip-top condition. As a homeowner, you’ll need to frequently check its air filter and replace it when necessary. Most homeowners find that they need to do filter changes on their inverter AC units every one to two months.
Apart from checking the filter, you’ll also want to check your outdoor condenser unit. It needs to be kept clear of debris, as any debris stuck against the side of the unit can restrict airflow. This will decrease the operating efficiency of your cooling system and lead to an uncomfortable home. Aim for checking your outdoor unit every couple of weeks and after every major storm. Be sure to trim back any shrubbery or branches near the unit.
You’ll need to schedule annual cooling maintenance service for your inverter AC system. It’s important to choose a professional who has experience with this style of system for the best results. Professional maintenance service will include tasks like checking the refrigerant level, cleaning its coils, testing electrical connections, and so forth. Most AC manufacturers will make it a requirement that you get this professional service at least once a year to keep the warranty coverage on your cooling system active.
Expert AC Installation Service
Scott-Lee Heating Company offers expert AC installation service to the St. Louis, MO area. We can also help with all your air conditioning, heating, HVAC zoning system, indoor air quality, geothermal, commercial, metalwork, new construction, and new home registration needs. Call our office staff today to book your very next service consultation.