Dual Inverter Air Conditioner Meaning and Benefits

A dual inverter air conditioner is an inverter air conditioner that has two rotors in the compressor instead of one. The dual rotors work in tandem to provide a greater range of capacity, and this allows the AC system to run at both lower speeds and higher speeds than a single inverter unit. 

The benefits of an air conditioner with a dual inverter compressor are increased energy efficiency, faster cooling, consistently balanced temperatures, better humidity control and longer lifespan for the system. 

While dual inverter air conditioners cost more than single inverter and non-inverter ACs, the extra cost is recovered through lower energy bills. 

What Is a Dual Inverter Air Conditioner? 

Dual inverter air conditioners, also called twin inverters, use two rotors in the compressor to regulate the amount of energy (wattage) it takes to power the compressor. The double rotor technology allows the compressor to run at a wider range of speeds, working faster or slower than a single inverter air conditioner or a standard air conditioner. The average dual inverter can vary its speed by an additional 10% to 20% compared to a single rotor inverter. A non-inverter compressor cannot vary speed. It runs at 100% capacity whenever on.

The varying speeds allow the dual inverter to save energy. How it works: 

• The compressor quickens its speed to cool the ambient temperature and reach the programmed temperature. 
• When the programmed temperature has been reached, the compressor slows down its pace.
• Instead of turning off like in other air conditioners, the dual inverter compressor maintains a slow pace. This means the compressor saves energy, as it requires more energy to turn it back on.
• When the ambient temperature gets higher than the programmed temperature, the process repeats. 

By comparison, a standard air conditioner (also known as a non-inverter air conditioner) starts and stops its compressor every cycle. It turns on the compressor, which runs at a set speed until the temperature set point on the unit or thermostat is reached. And the compressor shuts off when the programmed temperature is reached. When the room temperature rises, of course, this process is repeated. This is both energy inefficient and is hard on the compressor. 

The constant on/off cycling of the non-inverter air conditioner requires more electricity than a dual inverter. This is because the power used to turn an air conditioner on, known as starting wattage, is greater than the power needed to run the appliance, known as running wattage. Starting wattage can sometimes require as much as two times the running wattage, depending on the air conditioner. 

Benefits of Dual Inverter Air Conditioners?

There are several benefits to owning a dual inverter air conditioner:

1. Faster cooling process. Because dual inverters use two rotors, they can cool the ambient temperature at a faster pace than a non-inverter air conditioner. And depending on the manufacturer, some dual inverters can perform 40% better than single inverter air conditioners. 
2. Energy-efficiency. The dual inverter technology requires less energy to function, making it more energy -efficient than single inverter and non-inverter air conditioners. 
3. Longer compressor lifespan. Since the compressor works at varying speeds, rather than stopping and starting up to 48 times a day, it does not experience as much wear and tear as a non-inverter compressor. This means the compressor will last longer. 
4. Less noise. Dual inverters generate less noise than non-inverter air conditioners for two reasons: their impellers are balanced, reducing how much the unit vibrates, and their compressors operate at slower speeds. (For reference, excessive vibration is the leading cause for air conditioner noise.)
5. Even cooling throughout a room. Dual inverters can evenly distribute cool air throughout a room, providing better comfort than single inverter or non-inverter air conditioners.
6. Stable voltage level. Because the dual inverter does not turn on and off like a non-inverter air conditioner, there won’t be any voltage surges. 
7. Solar power compatibility. Most window air conditioners do not function on solar power, leaving few choices for homeowners who rely on such energy sources. By contrast, dual inverter window air conditioners are able to function on solar power.  
8. Eco-friendly. Dual inverter air conditioners emit less CO² into the atmosphere than single inverter and non-inverter air conditioners.   

What Are the Disadvantages of Dual Inverter ACs? 

There are several disadvantages to consider before purchasing a dual inverter:

1. Initial cost. This technology is not cheap! Dual inverter air conditioners cost more upfront, as opposed to a single inverter or a non-inverter air conditioner.
2. Maintenance costs. Most maintenance repairs on a dual inverter cost more than those needed on a non-inverter air conditioner. This is because the dual inverter structure is more complex.    

LG Dual Inverter Air Conditioner Models 

LG is the leading manufacturer of dual inverter air conditioners. 

The following table presents ten LG dual inverter air conditioner (AC) models organized by lowest to highest BTUs.

The table compares each LG model by its British Thermal Unit (BTU) capacity and its voltage. For reference:

• BTUs are used in AC capacity ratings to show how much heat the AC removes per hour. The higher the BTU rating, the faster the AC will cool your space.
• Voltage is how much electrical pressure the appliance needs to function. More voltage equates to greater AC cooling capacity.  

There are two types of ACs listed above: window ACs and portable ACs. LG’s window ACs range from 6,000 BTUs to 24,000 BTUs, whereas the portable ACs are limited to 10,000 BTUs. The more BTUs an AC has, the more heat it can remove from the surrounding area. Because of this, the ThinQ LW1222IVSM window AC at 12,000 BTUs has more cooling capacity than the ThinQ LW1022IVSM window AC at 10,000 BTUs.

You will also notice that both the window ACs and the portable ACs require 115 volts (115 V) each, except the ThinQ LW1822IVSM and the ThinQ LW2422IVSM, which require 208/230 V. As a rule, appliances that use more than 15,000 BTUs usually require 230V circuits.more voltage than the standard.

Helpful tip: Before purchasing an air conditioner for a room, measure the room’s square footage. Then, multiply the square footage by 25 to determine how many BTUs the new AC should have. (This math is for a room with the standard 8-foot ceiling.) 

Being ill-prepared for your purchase can lead to more expenses down the road. If, for example, you purchase an air conditioner that has fewer BTUs than you need, it will fail at cooling the entire room and require you to purchase another AC unit. On the other hand, if you purchase an air conditioner that has too many BTUs, it will consume more energy than is needed for your space, costing you more in monthly bills.

Written by Rene Langer

Rene has worked 10 years in the HVAC field and now is the Senior Comfort Specialist for PICKHVAC. He holds an HVAC associate degree and EPA & R-410A Certifications.