Refrigerator
consumes more electricity in an unpredictable way. That's because we
can not determine how many times we open the door of our fridge, nor do
we have any idea on how long the door is keep open each time we decide
what to eat while staring inside of the ref. Inverter refrigerator must
be the ultimate tweak to reverse that wasting of electricity.
Keeping the fridge door open is inevitable for obvious reason. You may not know it but the aggregate of the number of times the refrigerator door is keep open accounts for almost 10 percent of the total electrical power the kitchen appliance uses. Inverter refrigerator might be the best solution in cutting energy consumption on keeping our food fresh. But there are other factors that we must consider before we replace our old fridge with the new one that runs in inverter compressor.
Traditional Refrigerator
In comparing inverter refrigerator to its conventional counterpart, we must first understand how the fridge, the one that we became accustomed to, works. The compressor is the heart to which a refrigerator relies for its normal operation. It is the factotum or laborer that grind 24/7 so that our refrigeration system function its work of cooling our food and keeping fruits and veggies from getting flaccid fast.
The compressor utilizes by a conventional ref is a single speed refrigeration machine. This means that it only operates at one speed. During a 24-hour period, traditional compressor cycles on and off. You may have already noticed it on your own traditional refrigerator unit when it gets quite and then the compressor runs again.
Since traditional compressor runs only in one speed, the freezing capacity is tailored to be equal to the maximum static cooling load and the makers put emphasize to the times during which the door must be open as well. This is to serve the purpose of having a fridge in the first place. By maximizing freezing capacity in the design, that freezing capacity becomes excessive during those times when the actual load of the refrigerator is not that heavy or when the freezing capacity needed is thin.
Inverter Refrigerator
Inverter refrigerator is called as such due to the compressor fitted to its body which is inverter. This type of compressor allows for varied speed and at low speed runs in longer cycles. Both traditional and inverter compressors cycle on and off. The difference - it takes longer in inverter type running at low speed.
A compressor that operates in varying speeds adapts to the usage condition of the consumer during the 24-hour period. During loading, for example, when the door is open a bit longer, the inverter compressor operates in high speed to compensate for the cold air that is rushing out and giving way for the warm air that's also coming in. At night, on the other hand, when there is no or little activity, inverter compressor runs in low speed. During this time that the ref is kept close and the temperature needed is on its minimum, the compressor shifts to low speed to supply just the right amount of coldness that would match what is required for that time being. That is where energy efficiency works into play. And it translates to saving of about 20 to 30 percent in electric bill.
Difference between Conventional and Inverter Fridges
Conventional refrigerator cycles on and off in a constant rate of cooling even if the temperature level goes down. Inverter refrigerator can operate in very low speed and longer rotational cycle just enough to maintain the cooling required.
Inverter refrigerator utilizes energy power more efficiently while conventional one is a bit excessive in grinding electrical power.
Inverter refrigerator generates low noise on start-up compare to very noticeable sound of conventional refrigerator. When the single speed compressor restarts, it usually emits a bit loud sound because it is in high speed. The inverter compressor starts its cycles at low speed so you would hardly notice the transition in noise it produces.
Pros & Cons of Inverter Refrigerator
The highest energy efficiency rating (EER) I have seen for an inverter refrigerator is 372 which is quite good. But the savings in electric power usage one can get from using an inverter refrigerator would be the one on top of the advantages in owning inverter refrigerator.
The disadvantages of inverter refrigerator? For starters, it's the very slow cooling. Yes, this is the big downside of inverter fridges. They don't freeze immediately unlike conventional no-frost refrigerator. Apparently, it is caused by the slowed start-ups of inverter compressor. Another bad side of inverter refrigerator is that some of its manufacturers use R600 Freeon on some of the models they produce. This butane gas has some safety issues. Best advice is to avoid buying inverter refrigerator model which utilizes R600 Freon for their compressors. There's no cause for alarm, though, as I am sure these reputable fridge makers have complete safety measures in place. Nevertheless, there would also be no harm if we follow expert advice.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it is the savings one gets from being a smart consumer that counts. Savings when add up could go a long way in providing for one's family or for one self. In the long run, performance wise, as long as the unit performs its duty of artificially cooling food and chilling drinks, there's hardly difference in convenience, notwithstanding the long wait before the fridge gets cool completely. The inverter refrigerator wins in this battle. Yeah! For me.
What about you? What's your preference? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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