Should you buy an inverter air conditioner or air conventional Air Conditioner?

As summer begins, the sweltering heat makes many people consider buying an air conditioner to cool their living spaces. However, the big question is: should you choose an inverter air conditioner or a regular one? This is a question I myself have pondered. To make an informed decision, I took the time to thoroughly research both types of air conditioners. 

Conventional air conditioners – simple and instantly effective 

At first, I was drawn to the regular air conditioner because its price was quite reasonable. A regular air conditioner operates on a continuous on-off mechanism, meaning that once the set temperature is reached, the unit pauses and restarts when the room temperature rises again. This doesn’t sound too bad, especially if you only use the air conditioner for short periods, like during summer afternoons or in the evening.

I also considered saving money by choosing a regular air conditioner, as its price is much lower than that of an Inverter air conditioner. In fact, regular units cool the room quickly; you can feel the cool breeze almost immediately after turning it on. However, after doing more research, I started rethinking my decision due to the limitations of regular air conditioners.

The drawbacks I noticed when using air conditioners typically include: 

• Consumes a lot of electricity: Regular air conditioners often operate at a high power level, so their energy consumption is higher than Inverter models, reaching up to 30-50% more. This significantly increases my monthly electricity bill.

• Limited modes and features: Regular air conditioners are less equipped with health protection modes or conveniences like Inverter models. This makes the user experience less diverse and not as optimized as expected.

• Loud noise: During operation, regular air conditioners tend to produce quite a lot of noise, especially at night, which affects my sleep and sometimes causes discomfort.

• Prone to damage: I've also encountered durability issues with regular air conditioners, particularly when adjusting the temperature close to the room's initial temperature. Since the unit only has one sensor on the indoor unit, the compressor is prone to malfunction if it continuously runs at maximum power.

Inverter Air Conditioner – More Energy Efficient and Stable 

The key factor that made me change my decision was the long-term benefits that the Inverter air conditioner offers. Unlike regular air conditioners, the Inverter model uses technology that adjusts the compressor speed flexibly, allowing it to operate quietly and maintain a stable temperature. This means you won’t have to worry about the unit restarting frequently, which causes noise or temperature fluctuations in the room.

Another important factor is its energy-saving capability. I understand that initially investing in an Inverter air conditioner may be a bit more expensive, but in the long run, the electricity bills will be much lower. Many of my friends have shared that Inverter units can save between 30-50% of energy compared to regular air conditioners. This is truly an impressive figure, especially for someone like me who uses the air conditioner frequently. However, there are also some limitations as follows:

• The cost is quite high: Due to being equipped with many modern technologies and advanced features, Inverter air conditioners come with a rather high price, typically ranging from 7 to 40 million VND (as of June 2024). When purchasing the unit, I had to carefully consider it, as the initial investment is not small.

• Expensive repair costs: While using the Inverter air conditioner, I noticed that if a malfunction occurs, repairs can be costly. Inverter air conditioner components are often high-tech, so finding replacement parts isn't always easy. Sometimes, manufacturers only sell the entire unit, leading to quite high repair costs.

• Requires stable voltage: Another thing I had to keep in mind when using the Inverter unit is that it requires a stable power supply. Since the unit uses electronic microchips for control, even a slight deviation in voltage beyond the allowed range (around 5%) could cause issues. This sometimes makes me hesitant to use the unit in areas with unstable voltage.

Conclusion – Which Type of Air Conditioner Should You Choose? 

So, should you buy an Inverter air conditioner or a regular one? The answer depends on your needs and financial situation. If you only need to cool your space for short periods and don’t use the air conditioner frequently, a regular unit might be a more cost-effective option in terms of initial investment. However, if you're looking for a more comfortable experience, better energy efficiency, and a quieter operation, an Inverter air conditioner is definitely a worthwhile investment.

For me, after researching and trying both options, the Inverter air conditioner has truly won me over. It not only provides comfort but also helps me save a significant amount of money in the long run.