The Platinum Series · Inverter technology
Inverter Air Conditioning: Why the Best System Is Worth It
An inverter system costs more than a conventional air conditioner. Here is exactly what that investment buys you, and why it is the system we recommend to West Valley homeowners who want their comfort done right.
The short answer
An inverter air conditioner adjusts its speed to match exactly what your home needs, instead of switching between full power and off. That one difference means lower energy bills, steadier temperatures, better humidity control, quieter operation and less wear on the system. In Arizona, where the AC works harder and longer than almost anywhere in the country, those benefits add up quickly.
What makes an inverter system different
Every air conditioner is built around a compressor, the heart of the system. In a conventional air conditioner, that compressor has one speed: full power. When your home warms up, it switches on and runs flat out until the thermostat is satisfied, then shuts off completely and waits for the house to warm up again. On a summer day in Surprise, it may repeat that cycle many times.
An inverter system replaces that on-and-off routine with intelligence. Its variable-speed compressor, controlled by an electronic inverter drive, can run anywhere from a gentle low speed to full output. It works hard when your home needs it, such as a late July afternoon or when you first come home, and then eases down to a quiet, efficient pace that simply maintains the temperature you have chosen.
Think of the difference between driving across town with only the gas pedal floored or the brakes on, and driving with a smooth, steady cruise control. Both will get you there, but one is far more comfortable, far more efficient and far easier on the car.
Single-stage, two-stage and inverter
How the three types of systems compare
Most homes in the Phoenix area were built with single-stage systems. Two-stage systems were the next step up, adding a lower setting for milder days. Inverter systems go further than both, adjusting continuously across their entire range.
| Single-stage | Two-stage | Inverter (variable-speed) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it runs | Full power or off | High or low setting | Adjusts continuously, about 30% to 100% |
| Temperature control | Swings of a few degrees | Steadier | Within a fraction of a degree |
| Humidity control | Basic | Better | Excellent |
| Sound | Loudest, with frequent starts | Quieter on low | Quietest |
| Energy efficiency | Standard | High | Highest available |
| Wear from starting and stopping | Most | Less | Least |
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Moderate | Highest |
Ten reasons
Why an inverter system is worth paying more for
The value of an inverter system is not one feature. It is the way many improvements come together into a home that is more comfortable, more efficient and more dependable.
- 01
Lower energy bills, month after month
A conventional air conditioner works like a light switch: it is either running at full power or it is off, and it repeats that cycle all day long. An inverter system works more like a dimmer. Once your home reaches the temperature you set, it eases down to a low, efficient speed and stays there, using only the energy it truly needs. Inverter systems carry the highest efficiency ratings in the industry, with some ducted models rated above 20 SEER2, and in a climate where the AC runs most of the year, that difference shows up on every bill.
- 02
Steady comfort, without the temperature swings
With a single-stage system, the house warms up a few degrees, the AC roars on at full blast, overshoots, shuts off, and the cycle begins again. An inverter system makes small, continuous adjustments instead, holding your home within a fraction of a degree of the thermostat setting. The result is the kind of comfort you stop noticing, because nothing ever feels too warm or too cold.
- 03
An answer for hot rooms and uneven floors
Because an inverter system runs longer at a gentle speed rather than in short, powerful bursts, air keeps moving through the entire home. Upstairs bedrooms, rooms with west-facing windows and spaces at the end of a long duct run are far more likely to stay in step with the rest of the house. For many homeowners, this is the first system that finally makes every room comfortable.
- 04
Better humidity control during monsoon season
Comfort is about more than temperature. Longer, slower run cycles pull more moisture out of the air, so the house feels crisp rather than clammy. In Carrier’s testing, a variable-speed system removed up to four times more moisture than a standard single-stage system in worst-case conditions. When the monsoon rolls in, that difference is easy to feel.
- 05
Remarkably quiet operation
Most of the time, an inverter system runs at a fraction of its full speed, so the outdoor unit hums softly and the airflow inside is barely noticeable. Just as important, you no longer hear the abrupt start and stop of a system cycling on and off. It is a noticeably calmer home, day and night.
- 06
A gentle start that is easier on everything
A conventional compressor slams on at full power every time it starts, drawing a large surge of electricity and putting a jolt of stress on its parts and your electrical system. An inverter compressor ramps up smoothly from a low speed. That soft start is easier on the equipment, gentler on your home’s electrical system and a better match for homes with solar.
- 07
Less wear, designed for a longer life
Starting and stopping is one of the hardest things an air conditioner does. A conventional system may cycle on and off many times on a summer day; an inverter system largely runs continuously at a comfortable pace instead. Fewer hard starts mean less strain on the compressor and its components, which supports a longer, more dependable service life when the system is properly maintained.
- 08
Built for Arizona’s hottest afternoons
On a 115-degree afternoon, an inverter system has room to give more. It ramps up to full output when the heat demands it, then settles back down as evening comes. Some inverter models are rated to deliver full cooling capacity at outdoor temperatures as high as 115°F, precisely the conditions West Valley homes face every summer.
- 09
Efficient, comfortable heat in the winter
Paired as a heat pump, inverter technology works just as well in reverse. It adjusts its speed to deliver steady, even warmth on cool desert nights, relying far less on costly electric backup heat. One system keeps your home comfortable all year, with the same quiet, efficient operation in January that you enjoy in July.
- 10
A problem solver, not just an upgrade
Many of the complaints we hear every week, from high summer bills and short cycling to rooms that never cool down and a house that feels sticky, have the same underlying cause: a system that can only run at full power or not at all. An inverter system addresses each of them at the source. That is why we consider it the best solution we can offer a homeowner who wants their comfort problems solved rather than managed.
Putting the investment in perspective
What the higher price actually pays for
An inverter system is a larger investment upfront, and we would never pretend otherwise. But the purchase price is only part of what a system costs you. Over its lifetime, you will also pay to run it every month and to maintain it every year.
Because an inverter system uses less electricity whenever it runs, part of its higher price is returned to you on your utility bill, summer after summer. If you are replacing an older 10 to 13 SEER system, a high-efficiency inverter system can reduce the energy used for cooling by roughly a third to a half. And because it avoids the constant hard starts of a conventional system, it is designed to place less strain on its most important components.
Then there is the value that does not appear on any bill: a bedroom that is finally comfortable, a living room that stays quiet during a movie, a home that feels fresh rather than sticky in August. For many families, that is the part they value most.
The Platinum Series package
The best of everything, with an $1,800 rebate
Our Platinum Series brings together the finest components we offer into a single, complete comfort system. When every element of the package is installed together, Pro Solutions Air provides an $1,800 rebate.
- High-SEER2 inverter systemA variable-speed inverter air conditioner or heat pump at the top of the efficiency range.
- Premium MERV 16 filtrationHigh-end air filtration that captures far finer particles than a standard filter, for cleaner air throughout your home.
- Premium smart thermostatA high-end smart thermostat designed to get the most from an inverter system, with control from your phone.
The $1,800 rebate is provided by Pro Solutions Air when a qualifying high-SEER2 inverter system, premium MERV 16 filtration and a premium smart thermostat are installed together as one package and all package conditions are met. Call for details on qualifying equipment.
An honest look
Is an inverter system right for your home?
We believe in recommending the right system, not the most expensive one, and our technicians do not work on commission. An inverter system is usually an outstanding investment if any of the following describe your home:
- You plan to stay in your home for several more years
- Some rooms never feel as comfortable as the rest of the house
- Your summer electric bills feel higher than they should
- Someone is home during the day, so the AC runs for long stretches
- You have, or are considering, solar
- You value a quieter home, or have a light sleeper in the family
- You or your family are sensitive to dust or allergies
- Your current system is older, cycles often or struggles on the hottest days
There are trade-offs worth knowing as well. Inverter systems cost more upfront, and their advanced electronics should be serviced by technicians trained to work on them. Proper sizing and installation also matter more than ever, because a system this capable deserves to be set up to perform at its best. That is exactly where our team comes in: our Master Heat Pump Technicians and NATE-certified technicians design, install and maintain these systems every day.
Inverter system questions
What is an inverter air conditioner?
An inverter air conditioner uses a variable-speed compressor that adjusts its output to match what your home needs at any moment. A conventional system can only run at full power or shut off. An inverter system can run anywhere from a gentle low speed to full power, so it holds your temperature steadily and uses far less energy doing it.
Is an inverter AC worth the extra cost in Arizona?
For most West Valley homes, yes. Arizona systems run for much of the year, often in triple-digit heat, so the efficiency, comfort and reduced wear of an inverter system add up faster here than in milder climates. Homeowners who plan to stay in their home for several years, have rooms that never feel right, or want lower summer bills usually see the most value.
How much can an inverter system save on energy?
Savings depend on the system you are replacing, your home and your electric rate. Replacing an older 10 to 13 SEER system with a high-efficiency inverter system can cut the energy used for cooling by roughly a third to a half. Our SEER Savings Calculator gives you an estimate for your home in seconds.
Are inverter systems quieter?
Yes. Because an inverter system spends most of its time running at low speed, both the outdoor unit and the indoor airflow are noticeably quieter. You also avoid the loud start-up and shut-down of a conventional system cycling on and off throughout the day.
Can an inverter system keep up on 115-degree days?
A properly sized inverter system is built for it. On the hottest afternoons the compressor ramps up to full output, and some inverter models are rated to deliver full cooling capacity at outdoor temperatures as high as 115°F. Correct sizing and installation matter just as much as the equipment, which is why every system we install starts with a load calculation of your home.
Do inverter heat pumps heat well in the winter?
Yes. Inverter heat pumps adjust their speed for heating, too, so they deliver steady, comfortable warmth on cold desert nights and rely less on electric backup heat. That makes them one of the most efficient ways to heat a home in the Phoenix area.
Are inverter systems harder to repair?
Inverter systems use advanced electronics and should be serviced by technicians trained on them. Our team includes Master Heat Pump Technicians and NATE-certified technicians, and a yearly tune-up keeps an inverter system performing at its best for years.
What is the Pro Solutions Air $1,800 rebate?
When you choose our Platinum Series package, which combines a high-SEER2 variable-speed inverter system with premium MERV 16 filtration and a premium smart thermostat, Pro Solutions Air provides an $1,800 rebate once all package conditions are met. Call us for details on qualifying equipment for your home.
See what an inverter system would cost for your home
Get an instant price range with our New AC Price Estimator, or schedule a free in-home estimate and we will walk you through every option side by side, including our Platinum Series package.