How often will it run?
Inverter Aircon South Africa vary the compressor speed instead of switching it on and off, so the unit settles at whatever output the room needs and holds it there. The result is less power, steadier temperature and far less noise than a fixed speed unit of the same size.
Tell us the room and get inverter quotes.
Get the Best QuoteHow an Inverter Differs
- Variable speed. The compressor slows down rather than switching off.
- Lower running power. Most of the time it runs well below full output.
- Steady temperature. No swing between too cold and not cold enough.
- Quieter. At low speed, both the indoor and outdoor units.
- Gentler starts. Less inrush current, which matters after load shedding.
- Better dehumidifying. Longer, slower runs take more moisture out.
What It Saves, Realistically
- Depends on use. The more hours it runs, the more the saving matters.
- Depends on setpoint. 23 or 24 degrees saves more than any technology choice.
- Depends on sizing. An oversized inverter loses much of its advantage.
- Typical payback. A few seasons on a unit that runs most days.
- Light use. A guest room unit may never pay the premium back.
- Not a licence. Running it all day because it is efficient is still expensive.
Choosing One Properly
- Check the rating. Energy labels and seasonal efficiency figures, not just the word.
- Size it correctly. Oversizing is the most common way the saving is lost.
- Mind the gas type. Newer refrigerants are cheaper and easier to get hold of.
- Check the warranty. Compressors are often covered longer than parts.
- Parts availability. An inverter board is a real cost if spares are scarce.
- Installation quality. A badly charged inverter will not deliver its figures.
Inverter Aircon Prices
Ballpark inverter figures so you can check a quotation.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| 9000 BTU inverter, supplied and installed | R9,000 - R13,500 |
| 12000 BTU inverter, supplied and installed | R10,500 - R16,500 |
| 18000 BTU inverter, supplied and installed | R14,500 - R23,000 |
| 24000 BTU inverter, supplied and installed | R18,500 - R30,000 |
| Premium over an equivalent non-inverter | R1,500 - R5,500 |
| Inverter PC board replacement | R2,800 - R8,500 |
| Installation only, back to back | R3,000 - R6,500 |
| Annual service, per unit | R650 - R1,400 |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Ballpark figures, rounded, excluding VAT. They reflect typical South African aircon and refrigeration rates. They are not our prices or quotations, and no provider is bound by them. Confirm what each quotation includes, such as the unit capacity, the standard pipe run, the electrical work, making good and callout fees.
Get an installed inverter price for your own room rather than a range.
Get the Best QuoteWhat Affects the Price
- Capacity. As on any unit, the BTU rating leads.
- Efficiency class. Higher rated models cost more and run cheaper.
- Brand tier. Entry and premium inverters are a long way apart.
- Refrigerant type. Newer gases are cheaper to service.
- Warranty length. Longer compressor cover usually carries a premium.
- Installation. Pipe run, mounting and electrical, as with any split.
What to Include in Your Request
- The room. Size, ceiling height and orientation.
- How many hours it will run. Which decides whether the premium pays back.
- Whether you want both priced. Inverter and non-inverter side by side.
- Your current unit. If you are replacing something, what it is.
- Power situation. Whether it will run off an inverter or a generator.
- Where the outdoor unit goes. And how far that is.
Before the Installer Quotes
- Ask for the efficiency figure. Not just the word inverter on a box.
- Insist on correct sizing. Oversizing wastes the premium you just paid.
- Ask about board availability. The expensive spare on any inverter unit.
- Compare total cost. Purchase plus a few years of running, not purchase alone.
- Ask about the compressor warranty. Length and what voids it.
- Ask about backup power. If it must run off a battery system, say so.
Inverter Aircon FAQs
What does inverter mean on an aircon?
It means the compressor can run at variable speed rather than only full on or fully off. Once the room reaches temperature, the unit throttles back to whatever output holds it there instead of cycling, which uses less power, keeps the temperature steadier and is considerably quieter.
How much cheaper is an inverter to run?
On a unit that runs most days, meaningfully - enough that the price premium is usually recovered within a few seasons. The exact saving depends on how many hours it runs, what setpoint you use and whether it was sized correctly. On a unit used a few times a year it will never catch up, and a fixed speed unit is the better buy.
Is an inverter aircon better for load shedding?
It starts more gently, drawing less inrush current, which makes it easier on a generator or a battery inverter and less likely to trip things when power returns. It still draws real power while cooling, so it is not a small load on a home battery system, but it is a more manageable one.
Do inverters break down more often?
Not more often, but differently. The electronics are the part that fails, and an inverter PC board is an expensive spare compared with the capacitor and contactor that fail on a fixed speed unit. Against that, the compressor runs far gentler and tends to last longer. Parts availability for the brand matters more than it does on a basic unit.
Does an oversized inverter still save power?
Much less than a correctly sized one. The saving comes from running slowly for long periods, and an oversized unit reaches setpoint quickly and then sits near its minimum output or cycles anyway, behaving more like a fixed speed unit. Correct sizing is part of what you are paying for.
Inverter units are among the types providers listed on Aircon Hub quote for, alongside standard splits and multi-split systems.
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