ACs with inbuilt inverters and added features make power saving a reality. Sangeeta Yadav reports
With the onset of summers and temperature soaring above 40 degrees, good power saving air conditioners (AC) have become the need of the hour. Where lG is offering new range of Inverter V ACs, Samsung, Carrier, Sharp and Blue Star have come up with their best ACs with inbuilt inverter. Godrej has launched Godrej Eon Green Balance AC, whereas Daikin has come up with their next generation refrigerant HFC32.
Talking about the lG ACs, Saurabh Baisakhia, business head, ACs, lG India, says: “The Inverter V technology in lG ACs has the widest variable tonnage range which enables it to give 1.7 times faster cooling as compared to non-inverter air conditioners. It’s Monsoon Comfort feature offers energy saving in monsoon and humid weather by providing optimum humidity and temperature. Plasmaster Ionizer technology and 3M brand micro protection filter with electrostatic technology provides you with fresh air,” Baisakhia tells you.
But what is the difference between a regular AC and an inverter ACIJ “Non inverter AC supplies a set amount of power through a fixed speed. The compressor has to stop and start to maintain the desired room temperature like the way our fan works. When power is on, the voltage goes up sharply thus it has high average power consumption and temperature variations. But once inverter ACs are switched on, the compressor operates at a high speed in order to cool or heat the room quickly. As the room temperature approaches the desired cooling, the compressor slows down, maintaining a constant temperature and saving energy. It controls the gas flow rate and thus consumes less current and low power,” says Ripul Kumar, founder of Kern Communications.
Samsung ACs, on the other hand, has launched smart inverter series. Other features include VirusDoctor with SPI (S-Plasma ion) technology that circulates fresh air. “Smart Inverter technology consumes almost zero standby power and also equipped with the innovative Multi Channel Condenser technology, which cools the refrigerant faster. Its in-built stabiliser controls voltage (from 135V to 290V) during power surges to keep the air conditioners working fine all the time,” Rajeev Bhutani, director, home appliances, Samsung India, tells you.
Talking about Carrier’s new models of inbuilt inverter ACs, Krishan Sachdev, managing director, Carrier Midea India Private limited, says: “Our Inverter ACs have Intelligent on-off technology that enables automatic energy-saving mode when the AC is on standby, thus cutting energy consumption to 1W”.
Also, Sharp ACs have come up with a series of Inverter ACs with Variable Inverter Drive Technology. “The inverter series contains two patented technologies: COANDA Airflow control for even and most pleasing cooling experience and Sharp’s patented Plasmacluster Technology, for fresh air. It has lowest dew point which means that it does not cause misting which has unhealthy side effects,” Kishalay Ray, associate vice president, marketing, SHARP Business Systems India ltd, says.
Though Daikin had launched their inverter series last year, they have come up with Hydro Fluorocarbon 32 (HFC32) AC equipment using next-generation refrigerant (gas). It bears only one-third of the global warming potential (GWP) when compared to R410A and R22 refrigerants.
The HFC32 has low carbon dioxide emission, zero ozone depletion potential, lower global warming potential, better lifecycle climate performance, energy efficient. HFC32 can help curtail greenhouse gas emissions originating from energy sources when equipment is in use by its better energy efficiency. Its capacity is 1.5 tonnes.
Bluestar’s new range of R410A DC Inverter Split AC also promises the same. It’s innovative features includes self diagnostics, self cleaning filter and long distance piping. “In Japan, all the ACs sold are with inbuilt inverters. In China, close to 40 per cent of the market has shifted to Inverter ACs. In India, the demand for Inverter ACs is just 3 per cent. While the products are becoming innovative, the power scarcity in many States and many hours of power cut, puts us back by many years,” B Thiagarajan, president, Blue Star limited says.
Though Godrej has not come up with it’s inverter series yet, they have recently launched their Eon Green Balance ACs which has an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 5 star. It’s silver ion filter and the catechin filter kills bacteria and germs and provides pollution free atmosphere.
“This range of AC consumes only 1350 watts power which is less than a hair dryer. Also, it has 3.3 global warming potential (GWP) compared to 1810 GWP of other ACs and zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) compared to .055 ODP of other ACs,” Kamal Nandi, executive VP, sales and marketing, Godrej Appliances, concludes.