AIR COMMUNITYSUSTAINABILITYTECHNOLOGYSeptember 17, 2024

How does a mini split inverter work mechanically?

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By: Eleazar Rivera Mata To understand how a mini split inverter works, there are some concepts that we need to understand first:

• Compressor:
• The main purpose of a compressor is to “play” with the phase changes of the refrigerant gas within the system, and therefore with its thermal properties, which is why the compressor is said to be the “heart” of it.
• The compressor uses the principle of expansion and compression of a gas to transfer heat from one place to another.
  By compressing the refrigerant, its temperature and pressure are increased, allowing it to give up heat to the outside air.
  Expanding the refrigerant lowers its temperature and pressure, allowing it to absorb heat from the indoor air.
• There are two types of compressors:
  (a) Piston: Uses a piston that moves up and down to compress the refrigerant.
  b) Scroll: Uses a propeller that moves in a spiral to compress the refrigerant.
• Basic operation of the compressor in a mini split:

1. The electric motor drives the compressor, which is the heart of the system.
2. The compressor sucks refrigerant (gas) from the evaporator.
3. The compressor compresses the refrigerant, increasing its pressure and temperature, bringing it to a liquid and/or vapor state.
4. The hot, compressed refrigerant is sent to the condenser (chiller).
5. In the condenser, the refrigerant gives up its heat to the outside air and is cooled.
6. The cooled refrigerant expands and becomes liquid.
7. The refrigerant liquid is sent to the evaporator.
8. In the evaporator, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air and evaporates.
9. The cycle repeats itself.

• The heart of the mini split is the compressor.
  In a traditional system, the compressor runs at a fixed speed: it is either on at 100% or off.
• In a mini split inverter, the compressor has the ability to adjust its speed according to demand.
  This means that it does not always work at maximum, but regulates its power.

1. Temperature control:

• When you turn on the air conditioner, the system detects the ambient temperature and compares it to the temperature you have set.
• If the difference is large (e.g., it is very hot), the compressor runs at a higher speed to cool down quickly.
• Once the temperature approaches the desired level, the compressor slows down and just maintains the temperature, avoiding stress peaks.

1. Evaporator and condenser:

• As in any air conditioner, the mini split has two main parts: the evaporator (inside the room) and the condenser (outside).
• The compressor pumps the refrigerant circulating between the evaporator and the condenser, cooling the air inside and releasing the heat to the outside.
• In heat pump mode, the process is reversed and provides heat to the interior of the space to be conditioned, removing heat from the outside, i.e., reversing the functions of the evaporator and condenser.

Why does it save energy?

1. Constant and smooth operation:

• In a traditional air conditioning system, the compressor is turned on and off repeatedly.
  This consumes a lot of energy because each time it is turned on, the start-up requires a lot of effort.
• In the inverter system, the compressor never shuts down completely, but adjusts its speed according to demand.
  This avoids the energy consumption peaks that occur when continuously switching on and off.

1. Less temperature fluctuations:

• The inverter maintains a more constant temperature.
  Instead of cooling quickly and then waiting for the temperature to rise before turning back on, it adjusts its operation to run continuously, but at lower power.
  This is more efficient.

1. Efficient use of the compressor:

• Because the compressor can run at lower speeds when rapid cooling is not required, it uses less energy.
  Efficiency increases because it only spends what is actually needed to keep the temperature stable.

What are the advantages?

1. Higher energy efficiency (up to 30% more efficient than traditional systems).
2. Lower energy consumption.
3. Quiet and comfortable.
4. Compact and flexible design.
5. Precise temperature control.

In short, the mini split inverter adjusts its power according to demand, avoiding consumption peaks and operating more efficiently, which translates into considerable energy savings compared to traditional systems.
Source: Mexican Official Standard NOM-026-ENER-2015, Energy efficiency in split type air conditioners (Inverter) with variable refrigerant flow, free discharge and without air ducts.
Limits, test methods and labeling.