Singapore is hot and sticky all year long. Because of this heat, almost every home uses an air conditioner to sleep well at night and stay comfortable during the day.
However, running an air conditioner every day can make your monthly power bill very high. In fact, cooling your home is usually the most expensive part of your electric bill.
When you go shopping for a new cooling unit, you will see two main choices in the shop: Inverter and Non-Inverter.
Many people ask the same question: Which one uses less power, and which one will save me the most money?
In this simple guide, we explain the difference between the two systems in plain words so you can pick the best unit for your home.
What Is an Inverter Aircon?
To understand an inverter unit, think about driving a car on an open highway.
When you drive on a highway, you speed up until you hit your target speed. After that, you keep your foot gently on the pedal just enough to keep the car moving at a steady pace. You do not hit the brakes to stop and then push hard to go fast again.
An inverter aircon works in that same smooth way:
- When you turn it on, the motor runs fast to cool the room to the temperature you picked (such as 24°C).
- As soon as the room reaches 24°C, the motor does not turn off.
- Instead, it slows down and runs at a very low, quiet speed just to keep the room cool.
Because the motor never turns completely off and on again, it does not waste electricity. It stays running smoothly in the background, using very little power.
What Is a Non-Inverter Aircon?
Now, imagine driving a car in heavy traffic. You go fast, stop completely at a red light, wait, step hard on the pedal to speed up, and stop again. This type of driving burns through fuel very quickly.
A non-inverter aircon works in this simple on-and-off way:
- When you turn it on, the motor runs at full blast until the room reaches your set temperature.
- When the target temperature is reached, the compressor turns off completely.
- After a few minutes, the room starts to warm up again. The motor notices this and starts up at full blast once more.
Starting a motor from a complete stop takes a huge push of electrical power. Because a non-inverter turns off and starts up again many times every hour, it uses a lot of electricity.
Which One Saves More Electricity?
The answer is very clear: An inverter aircon saves much more electricity.
When you use your cooling unit for long hours, an inverter model uses 30% to 50% less power than a non-inverter model.
How Does an Inverter Unit Reduce Energy Consumption?
- No Big Energy Spikes: It does not shut down and restart every few minutes, which stops large power spikes.
- Automatic Speed Control: The motor changes its speed to match the room. If it is cool outside at night, the motor slows down even more to save extra power.
- Keeps the Room Steady: Keeping a cool room at a steady temperature takes far less energy than letting the room heat up and cooling it down again.
Quick Comparison
|
Feature |
Inverter Aircon |
Non-Inverter Aircon
|
|---|---|---|
|
Electricity Savings |
High (Saves 30% to 50% power) |
Low (Uses more power) |
|
Buying Price |
Costs more to buy at first |
Costs less to buy at first |
|
Room Comfort |
Steady and comfortable all day |
Goes from too cold to warm |
|
Sound Level |
Very quiet |
Louder clicks and hums |
|
Cooling Speed |
Cools the room down quickly |
Takes more time to cool down |
|
Best Choice For |
Daily use, bedrooms, long hours |
Rooms you rarely use, short visits |
Suggest : Which is the Best: Inverter Aircon vs Non-inverter Aircon?
How Does This Help Your Monthly Bill in Singapore?
Let us look at a simple example for a home in Singapore.
Imagine you turn on your bedroom aircon every night for 8 hours while you sleep:
- With a Non-Inverter Unit: The motor runs at full blast, stops, and starts all night long. This keeps your monthly electric bill high.
- With an Inverter Unit: The motor cools the room down and then runs at a low, gentle speed for most of the night.
Because the inverter uses much less electricity, it can save you $150 to $300 or more per year on a single bedroom unit. If you cool two or three rooms every night, your total savings can easily reach $500 to $800 each year.
Even though an inverter costs a bit more to buy in the shop, the money you save on your power bills will pay you back within one to two years.
Other Great Benefits of an Inverter Aircon
Saving money on power is great, but inverter units give you other nice benefits as well:
1. Better Sleep
With a non-inverter unit, the room can feel freezing cold when the motor runs, and then warm and sticky when it stops. An inverter unit holds the room at the exact temperature you want so you can sleep peacefully all night.
2. Quiet Operation
Because the motor slows down once the room is cool, it makes very little sound. You will not hear loud clicking noises or heavy motor sounds while watching television or resting.
3. Longer Machine Life
Running smoothly at a low speed causes less wear and tear on the machine parts. A non-inverter unit works under more stress because it starts and stops all the time. This means an inverter unit often lasts longer when taken care of properly.
When Is a Non-Inverter Unit Okay to Buy?
Even though inverter units are better at saving power, a non-inverter unit can still make sense in a few cases:
- Guest Bedrooms: If you only have guests staying over a few times a year, the unit will not run enough to save you money on power bills.
- Storerooms or Utility Spaces: Places where you do not need steady comfort or quiet air.
- Very Short Use: If you only turn the unit on for 20 to 30 minutes while getting dressed, an inverter will not have enough time to enter its low-power mode.
Understanding the Energy Ticks in Singapore
When you look at air conditioners in Singapore stores, you will see a blue energy label with ticks on it.
- The Tick Label: The label shows between 1 Tick and 5 Ticks.
- More Ticks Mean More Savings: 1 Tick is the least efficient, while 5 Ticks is the most efficient.
- Look for 5 Ticks: Most 4-tick and 5-tick units in stores today are inverter units. Choosing a 5-tick inverter unit gives you the lowest possible power bill.
5 Easy Tips to Lower Your Electric Bill
No matter which air conditioner you have, you can use these five simple tips to save even more power:
- Set It to 25°C: Setting your temperature at 25°C keeps your room cool and comfortable without making the machine work too hard.
- Turn on a Fan: Running a small standing fan or ceiling fan spreads the cool air quickly and makes the room feel even cooler.
- Wash the Air Filters: Dust stops the air from moving freely through the machine. Take out the plastic mesh filters every two to four weeks and rinse them with clean water.
- Close Your Curtains: Pull the curtains closed during bright afternoons so the sun does not heat up your room before you turn the aircon on.
- Get Regular Servicing: Have a technician clean and check your unit every three to four months. A clean unit runs easily and uses less power.
Refer : Top 3 Energy Saver Aircon Brands in Singapore
Summary: Which One Should You Pick?
If you live in Singapore and plan to run your air conditioner for more than 3 or 4 hours a day, an inverter aircon is the best choice.
It costs a little more to buy on day one, but the big savings on your monthly power bills will quickly make up for that price. With steady cooling, quiet sound, and lower power use, an inverter model is the smartest pick for any home.
