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Inverter vs non-inverter AC: savings calculator
Compare a 5-star inverter split with a 3-star non-inverter split. See the saving per year and how many years the extra price takes to pay back.
Price of 5-star inverter minus price of 3-star non-inverter
Ahmedabad homes use the AC 7 to 9 months
Pays back in
1.7 years
Saving per year
₹5,184
Net saving over 10 years
₹42,840
After the extra price
Under 4 years: the inverter is the better buy for this room.
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How the comparison works
We take average summer use: about 0.7 units per ton per hour for a 5-star inverter and 1.0 for a 3-star non-inverter. The difference × hours × days × your tariff gives the yearly saving. The extra price ÷ yearly saving gives the payback.
Rules of thumb
- Payback under 3 years: buy the inverter.
- 3 to 5 years: inverter, if you plan to keep the AC for 8 years or more.
- Over 5 years: a 3-star model is fine.
Read more in how inverter ACs work and what star ratings mean.
Common questions
›Is an inverter AC worth it?
Yes, if you use the AC more than 5 or 6 hours a day for most of the year. In Ahmedabad, a bedroom AC at 8 hours a day usually pays back the extra price in 2 to 4 years.
›When is a non-inverter AC enough?
For a guest room or a room you cool only 1 or 2 hours a day. The saving is too small to cover the higher price.
›Does an inverter AC save money at full load?
Less. The saving comes when the room is already cool and the compressor slows down. A badly undersized inverter AC runs at full speed all the time and saves little.
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