In the world of air conditioners, there are three choices: Basic, Deluxe, and Inverter. The first two in the list follow the “Good, Better, Best” nomenclature, but that third option – Inverter – seems to make everyone “ooh” and “ah”, but when pressed to explain what makes it Best, the confusion and unsure answers abound.

Enter Panasonic (and Tech & House) to solve this riddle and help you make the Best informed decision when it comes to buying your next air conditioner. To help make sense of all this, let’s discuss the three options available:

The Basic Model

Basic, as the name states, is the simplest air conditioner. A liquid coolant is run through a compressor, heating it up and turning it into a gas. This gas is sent through a series of coils to cool it off and return it to a liquid state before it is passed through an expansion valve, which cools it below freezing. Now, the coolant is passed through another series of coils that are exposed to the hot air of the room to absorb the heat of the ambient air as it travels back to the compressor to start the process again.

The Deluxe Model

Deluxe takes the Basic model and improves on the compressor, coil, and expansion valve technology to make it more efficient, and adds an ionized air filter.

Air Filter

Floating around in the air we breathe are millions of bacteria, mold, dirt, and other debris that makes up dust. Panasonic uses patented e-ion technology to purify the air while cooling it down. Dust particles carry a negative charge. Panasonic uses a positively charged screen on the air filter to attract and trap these particles.

Eco Patrol Sensor

Eco Patrol Sensor responds intuitively to the level of human presence and activities in the room to adjust the temperature for maximum comfort and savings. The benefit of energy saving Eco Patrol is maximized when the air conditioner is left on in a room that is used intermittently. For example, if the room is empty for two hours, the air conditioner automatically adjusts to raise the temperature by 2 ° C for maximum energy savings of 20%. When someone re-enters, the air conditioner will return to the set temperature to provide uninterrupted cooling.

The Inverter Model

In addition to the Air Purifier and Eco Patrol Sensor this third category of air conditions utilizes inverter technology, which uses an entirely different, more efficient thermostat and power distribution to the compressor to make the air colder, faster, all while using less energy than the basic and deluxe models. It achieves this by running the compressor at all times, constantly monitoring the ambient temperature, and adjusting up or down to keep the temperature as close to constant as possible. It sounds counterintuitive to think that something that is always on is using less energy, but it is true.

Basic and Deluxe air conditioners are either on or off, like a light. This causes dramatic spikes in voltage usage. Because of this, the energy consumption is substantial, especially on days when you leave your air conditioner on for hours, only turning the unit off when the room is below your comfort level. Inverter technology delivers only the power necessary to run the compressor at a rate needed to cool the room to the desired temperature and then keep that temperature constant. Inverter technology air conditioners operate within a 3-5° variance in ambient temperature rather than the 7-10° variance that non-inverter air models.

As an example let’s say you are driving down the freeway and that your car is capable of going 125 mph. You don’t drive it this fast, but the horsepower is there should you ever need it. While driving down the freeway, you keep your foot on the accelerator and the speed constant until you need to pass a slower car in front of you. Then, you step on the accelerator just enough to pass the car, but not reach 125 mph. Once past the slower car, you let off the accelerator and slow to your original speed. This is how inverter technology works. Conversely, if you wanted to know how your car would operate as a non-inverter technology car, you would either travel 125 mph or zero. Very wasteful.

Panasonic uses this inverter technology to create a class of air conditioner that sips power while keeping you cool. Some of the benefits are:

• Reach temperature in a room up to 50% faster than a basic or deluxe air conditioner
• Startup is up to 1/3 faster than basic or deluxe models
• Power consumption is 60% less than non-inverter models when tested over the same time period
• Constant power to the compressor reduces the harsh on/off cycling that can wear out parts and increase maintenance
• Reduced power usage yields an superior EER rating than non-inverter models

Inverter technology decreases your power consumption by monitoring the space that it is cooling and maintaining the temperature of your choosing without overdoing it. So, whether you’re sitting on the couch reading, or exercising to your favorite workout DVD, the inverter technology air conditioner will keep tabs on ambient temperature and use just enough energy to maintain it.