Regular A/C compressors run in either on or off mode. Thus they would either consume 100% of their labelled power or none at all
Inverter based compressors (be it A/C or refrigerators) can run at variable speeds thus consume variable power.
Here is how Mits Inverter based A/Cs work. Mind you these havent been imported to Pakistan since the late 90s
If i set the temperature on the A/C to 19C, and start the A/C it would consume all of its labelled power say ~7 amps
As the temperature reaches 19C it would start to slow down and consume less power say ~4 amps
Once it reaches 19C, compressor shuts donw and it would only maintain temeprature; say run at 2 amps.
On a regular A/C the following would happen. Turn on A/C compressor consumes full power. Temeprature approaches 19C still using full power. Temp at 19C. shuts down compressor. Temeprature gets higher than 19C, 100% power consumption by compressor
The real savings occur once you are in the maintainance mode. As in Pakistan, right now, theres a lot of load shedding in sumemers; unless you have the capability to run your A/C on alternate power you really wont be saving much
Do they save Energy: Definitely. But you need to weigh the initial high cost versus savings. We got ours in late 90s for around 65k. It has definitely paid off the high price (paid) at that point in time.
But at that time the load shedding was next to none
For more info on various types of compressors and a comparison of inverter to on-off cycle compressors look here
Inverter compressor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
