Inverter ACs are making a lot of buzz, and so are converter ACs. Although both serve the same purpose, the working principle is different.
Both save energy. Inverter ACs do that by controlling the compressor speed, and Convertible ACs do that by varying the cooling tonnage.
But at the end of the day, both technologies were developed to control power consumption.
Let’s learn more about what a convertible AC means, and see how it is different from Inverter ACs.
What Is A Convertible AC?
You might have heard about Convertible Refrigerators that convert the freezer space to fresh food space and vice versa. Right?
The logic of Convertible AC is entirely different. The cooling capacity varies based on the heat load.
For example, if you buy a 1.5-ton regular AC and set the temperature to 18°C or 28°C, it will always run at a 1.5-ton load.
However, in the case of Convertible AC, the AC load can be anything like 1 ton, .8 ton based on the total heat load.
Here, the total heat load means the amount of heat your AC is removing. For example, in a room, if there are 10 people, there will be more heat load than if you have two people in the room.
So, basically, in Convertible ACs, the cooling capacity changes based on the heat load. You can set that manually, or the AC will do it automatically.
This way, it will consume less power as you are not using the AC at its full potential.
You may see 4 in 1 Convertible AC or 5 in 1 convertible ACs in the market. What that means is that there are 4 or 5 different modes to control the cooling capacity of the AC based on your requirement.
Often, the settings are in percentages. This means you can select 80%, 60%, or 40% cooling capacity when you select different modes. The mode to percentage cooling capacity varies based on the brand and model.
How Is Convertible AC Different Than Inverter AC?
Inverter AC saves power. However, a convertible AC saves more power than an inverter AC. Let me explain that to you.
In the case of inverter AC, it can control the compressor speed based on the current temperature of the room.
For example, if you set the temperature to 18°C, the compressor may run at full speed initially but slowly settle down to a lower speed when the temperature reaches its threshold.
But the inverter compressor has nothing to do with the cooling capacity of the AC, and it can not control it.
However, a Convertible AC can control the cooling capacity but can not control the compressor speed.
Although both are aiming to save power, they work in different ways. A Convertible AC can not work without an inverter compressor. However, an inverter AC may not always have a convertible function.
Here is a chart showing a head-on comparison between Convertible AC and Inverter AC.
| Convertible AC | Inverter AC |
|---|---|
| Control the cooling load | Control the compressor speed |
| All convertible AC is an Inverter AC | All inverter ACs may not be convertible AC |
| Saves more power on top of what the inverter AC saves | Can save up to 40% of power |
| Manual or automatic control is possible | No manual control |
| Relatively costlier than an Inverter AC | Relatively costlier than a non-inverter AC |
Advantages Of Convertible AC
Here are some of the benefits of having a convertible AC. Although the benefits are not much compared to an Inverter AC, when you compare it with a non-inverter AC, there is a vast difference.
More Energy Saving
Convertible ACs may not run at full capacity all the time. Depending on the heat load, it may run at 40%, 60%, or 80% load.
So basically, even if you buy a 1.5 ton AC, you might be using it as a 1 ton or .5 ton AC. That saves a lot of power.
Less Wear And Tear
Since convertible ACs run at reduced capacity, there is less load on all moving parts. Less load means less wear and tear. This also contributes to quieter operation than normal ACs.
Better Comfort
The varying cooling capacity plays a significant role in controlling the humidity level of the room and thus contributes to better comfort than a standard AC.
You will never feel too cold or too hot as the AC will adjust the cooling automatically.
Conclusion: Is It Worth Buying a Convertible Air Conditioner?
Except for the high price, there is no issue in owning a convertible AC. If you compare it with inverter AC, there may not be a considerable saving in electricity, as inverter ACs already save a lot of power. However, compared to normal ACs, the energy saving difference is enormous.
