A/C tech question: new "INVERTER" a/c units [split/window]

Hey smart folks of the forum, here's an electric question regarding these new A/C units that come with an "INVERTER" feature.

I've window shopping for a new ac unit and the newer models all have an "inverter" feature on them. they claim to use 60% less power because the compressor does not shut on and off, cause this magic inverter thing does it's trick. I don't really understand it.

Anyway, my question is regarding all these energy saving features in general and also specifically to the inverter units.

I think A/C units "save" power when they reach a target temperature and then shut off or take a break until the temperature rises above the pre set range. This might work fine for humans sleeping, or being inactive because there is really not that much effort/work for the a/c unit to do.

Will these power saving features, will an inverter unit that claims to draw 800-1000 W be able to save me money inside a grow room with high pressure sodium lights that give off constant heat.

The constant heat part makes me think, that the power saving features will never be able to kick in because the constant heat won't let it take a long break compared to a human sleeping where there's not that much heat exchange.

Any insight, help or links would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

i think what happens, often times, is that your ac unit shuts off and on, many times throughout the day. The initial start up is harder on the machine and cost more energy then to maintain it running at a low speed/setting. This leads to the point of staying on the whole time. It ends up using less energy at some point(10 start ups a day, 20, 30..) I'm no genius but I think this is the basic premise.

They use a DC compressor which unlike A/C compressor can run at lets say 20%power 80% power ect... Most of these A/C units will instead of saying its a 15,000btu unit it will say its a 5000-15,000btu unit.

In a nutshell they are much better and much more efficient. They will in general last longer and run quieter ect...

The term 'Inverter' is synonomous with the term 'Variable Frequency AC Drive'. The AC unit in question uses a 3 phase AC motor, and the efficiency gains as quoted in the advertising come as a result of the ability to run the motor at variable speeds, just fast enough as necessary to do the job at hand. Meeting various standards such as 'Energy Star' has forced mfrs to raise the efficiency of their appliances, appliances of all sorts, refridgerators, washing machines, AC, computers, etc. Agreed with s0high, this is a better unit that should run longer and run quieter than an older non-Inverter equipped AC unit.

astroastro = No shit? I guess the advertisers just throw terms of for the shit of it haha. In new washing machine they use dc motors to spin the drum. I know 3-phase is the holy grail of motors but I thought the coversion from 2-phase power to 3-phase just cost to much. 1hp 3phase inverter for a mill or large drill press runs like fuckin 300-400 bucks.

Crazy shit they do these days.

Edit : haha just found the tech on it - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverter_%28air_conditioning%29 So they take your incoming A/C convert it to DC so they can modulate the frequency real time and then convert the output back to A/C at a different frequency haha. Witch craft I tell ya!!! There are some smart mofo out there.

yeah, better and more efficient is what the advertisements usually will say.

let me rephrase the question,

Inverter units save money by running at a reduced % of total HP.
Will the be able to run at reduced power in a room full of Sodium lights? or would it be wasted money on a feature that is not designed for this particular use of continuous torture?

Will inverter be able to run at a reduced% of output even when theres constant hps heat being generated?

Thanks!

Redwhiteandblue said:

yeah, better and more efficient is what the advertisements usually will say.

let me rephrase the question,

Inverter units save money by running at a reduced % of total HP.
Will the be able to run at reduced power in a room full of Sodium lights? or would it be wasted money on a feature that is not designed for this particular use of continuous torture?

Will inverter be able to run at a reduced% of output even when theres constant hps heat being generated?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

they work excellent in sealed rooms with hps, when it's needed, it kicks in to a higher gear. and it saves even more when lights are out.