Inverter vs Non-Inverter Aircond:
Which Saves More in Malaysia?

How Each One Works

Both types cool the same way. The difference is how the compressor, the part in the outdoor unit that does the hard work, is controlled.

A non-inverter compressor has one speed. It runs at full power until the room reaches the set temperature, stops, and starts again at full power when the room warms up. You can often feel this: the air turns cold, then mild, then cold again.

An inverter changes the compressor's speed. It works hard to cool the room down, then slows down to a low speed to hold the temperature, instead of switching the compressor off and on again.

Which One Saves More Electricity?

Most of an inverter's saving comes after the room is cool. A non-inverter keeps stopping and restarting at full power to hold the temperature; an inverter just ticks over. So the longer the aircond stays on after the room is cool, the more the inverter has to gain.

• Long hours, most days: a bedroom left on all night, a home office, a living room cooled through the afternoon. This is where an inverter pays off.
• Short, occasional use: a guest room, a room used only at weekends, an hour before bed. There is little "holding" time, so the inverter gains less.

Two things matter as much as the type. The aircond must be the right size for the room: our HP guide by room size covers that. And the model's energy rating, which is what the star label shows.

Comfort: Steadier and Quieter

Because an inverter does not keep stopping and starting, the room stays at a steadier temperature, without the cold-then-stuffy swing. At low speed the outdoor unit is also quieter, which matters in a bedroom at night and to the neighbours on the other side of the wall.

Price: Usually Higher Up Front

For the same size, an inverter aircond usually costs more to buy. Whether the saving on electricity makes that back depends on the hours you run it, which is why the same answer is not right for every room in the house. It is fine to mix: an inverter in the bedrooms and a non-inverter in a room that is seldom used.

Is an Inverter Less Reliable?

You will hear both sides. Both types are proven, and the big brands sell both. The real difference is the parts. An inverter has an extra electronic control board that changes the compressor speed. That is one more part that can develop a fault, and finding and fixing it is a job for a trained technician with the right parts. A non-inverter is simpler.

We would not choose either type on reliability alone. How long an aircond lasts depends far more on things that apply to both: the right size for the room, a proper installation, clean filters and regular servicing. When you compare models, ask what the warranty covers for the compressor and parts, and keep your receipt. If a fault turns up within warranty, you can make a warranty claim online.

The Star Label Is What to Compare

"Inverter" on the box does not tell you how efficient a model is. The Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga) energy label does. It rates from 1 star, the least efficient, to 5 stars, the most efficient, and it applies to air conditioners, fridges and washing machines alike.

The Same Idea for Fridges and Washing Machines

You will see "inverter" on fridges and washing machines too, and the same thinking applies. A fridge runs day and night, every day, so its compressor gets the long hours that suit an inverter. In a washing machine, inverter means the motor that turns the drum can change speed smoothly; a wash only runs for part of the day, so do not assume, and compare the star label there as well.

Which One for You?

You can see the aircond and other appliances we carry from Panasonic, Sharp, Hisense and Midea, and the full list of aircond brands on our aircond page.

Frequently Asked Questions