Home Air Conditioner

No. Single phase can not be speed controlled by a VFD unit.

Newer AC units that have this capability use 3 phase motors. VFDs can inherently convert a single phase source to 3 phase output to run a motor. But 1 phase motors cannot be powered at reduced frequency, it's usually a race to see if the motor fries before the VFD does. You can replace your motor with a 3 phase version, but because most AC compressors are hermetically sealed into the compressors, that's an expensive option.

There are a few very expensive VFDs that can be used on 2 narrowly specific types of 1 phase motors, i.e. PSC or Shaded Pole motors, but those are not the kind they use in AC compressors.

JRaef, thanks. This unit is relatively new, but when its time to replace the compressor I'll certainly consider a 3ph compressor and a VFD then.

Power consumption can be reduced by carefully "trimming" the temperature and humidity set-points to minimise the work it has to do, or, alternatively, switching the thing off.

GA ...PWS....Sometimes it seems that people want to reinvent the horse. Certainly more efficiency can be wrung out of the compressor components and valving schemes, but motor efficiencies are pretty well played out in this regard.

anyone has experience with ducted air conditioning ??