Inverter Technology 101: How It Works & Which Benefits It Offers

The developments in the heating and air conditioning industry seem to be constant. From the various implementations of smart controls, thermostats, and even entire automated systems to new products that greatly improve the energy efficiency of heating and cooling, there are no signs of slowing down. The advancements typically fall into two distinct categories. One provides your clients greater comfort and convenience of use.

The other changes the fundamentals of heating and air conditioning, and inverter technology falls into the latter category. It’s one of the most exciting developments in recent HVAC history and it’s now becoming more and more available in different systems. Up to 2015, inverter technology was reserved for ductless solutions. Now, your clients can find it in heat pumps and central AC systems too. This boost in availability could get your clients wondering about inverter systems.

What Is Inverter HVAC?

The core of the inverter technology lies in inverter-driven compressors. The basic principles of this type of air conditioning units are:

  • Inverter represents a single part of all the electrical components present in a heat pump or an air conditioner.
  • Inverter is in charge of controlling and modulating the electrical current that goes into the motor of the compressor.
  • The main purpose of an inverter is to finetune the speed of the compressor’s motor operation.

Inverter technology differs from traditional solutions because a standard compressor operates at two speeds – off and on. It’s either working or it’s not. On the other hand, an inverter compressor manages to adapt the percentage of the compressor’s activity, similarly to how a dimmer switch allows your clients to better control the lighting in their property.

In fact, an inverter compressor can also go into overdrive, providing over 100% of power for a short period of time, if the situation demands it. This makes it suitable for use in a wide range of situations and for a variety of your clients.

What Benefits Does Inverter Technology Offer?

Inverter technology is in high demand precisely because of the three key benefits it offers. They are:

Greater Efficiency

Inverter technology is able to significantly boost the energy efficiency of an HVAC system. While a traditional compressor turns off when a unit doesn’t need to modify the temperature and wastes a lot of energy starting again when it does, inverter compressors simply lower their operating capacity until it’s time to increase it again. This kind of operation allows systems with this technology to:

  • Gradually increase the operating speed.
  • The inverter compressor modifies the operating capacity depending on the demands of your clients, rarely operating at its peak, preserving energy.
  • This results in 30% to 50% reduction in operating costs, which is significant, as heating and air conditioning amount to as many as 50 percent of a property’s energy bills.

Less Noise

Another advantage of having a compressor that’s not constantly at 100% is significantly lowered noise it makes. Firstly, the compressor doesn’t go to its maximum capacity immediately, making the start of the process a lot quieter. Also, by not working at its full capacity at all times, the overall noise levels are a lot more comfortable when compared to standard HVAC systems.

More Comfort

Inverter technology allows for better control over the temperature in your client’s residential or commercial properties. Additionally, the inverter will precisely determine the necessary operating capacity for keeping a property at the desired temperature without compromising on the comfort. Finally, this technology also allows for far better humidity control in a property, allowing your clients to create a healthier environment.