Is a 220 volt air conditioner more efficient than a 110 volt air conditioner?

Answer 1

Efficiency is Output/Input not voltage. The only efficiency derived from voltage is cost efficiency The higher the voltage the lower the resistance on the same wattage. This equates to smaller wire size and equipment. eg. 5 HP motor x 746 = 3730 watts. Watts = Amps x Volts. A 5 HP motor on 120 volts, 3730/120 = 31 amps. The same 5 HP motor on 480 volts, 3730/480 = 7.77 amps. The first motor would need #8 wire, where as the second motor would need #14 wire. This is where the cost savings are appreciated. There is no difference since electricity is puchased by kWh. As shown in the answer above the watts are the same using either voltage. Only the amperages are changed proportionatly as the voltage is changed, watts are the same.

Answer 2

You pay by the amount of watts that you use. You will save no money using 240 over 120 volts. Watts = Amps x Volts. Say that you have a device that uses 4800 watts. Then using the formula 4800 = 20 x 240. Now with the lower voltage 4800 = 40 x 120. As you can see no matter which voltage you use you will still pay the same price for using 4800 watts. Where the savings comes in is the cost of installation, the higher the voltage the smaller size in materials needed for the job. Instead of a #12 wire for 20 amps you would need a #8 wire for 40 amps. Two jumps in wire size.

Answer 3

Neither, both heaters of the same size will use the same wattage which is how your electric bill is calculated.

Added; Theoretical power consumption wise, 110 or 220 are the same. From the electric meters point of view, it takes the highest load of the two legs (110 neutral 110) and charges the greater load as your billable energy. A 110 heater is on only one leg. If out of balance with other appliances you theoretically could be paying twice as much as the heater is actually using. A 220 pulls equally from both legs, keeping the load in balance. Make sense?

Above is correct, however, a 208 3 phase system is more efficient than either 220 or 110. The problem is they are generally not available in sizes appropriate for homes, nor are homes generally wired for polyphase power.

Answer 4

220V is more efficient. 220V will draw half the current that 110V does. Ohms law dictates so...Power(Watts)= Voltage x Current, I would say neither, a dual voltage motor wired to run on 110v draws 10 amps(110x10=1100 watts) the same motor wired for 220v draws 5 amps( 220x5=1100 watts) which one is the more efficient?

Answer 5

The greatest 'improvement' in using 220 (or 240) volts is that for the same wattage/BTU the current is one-half as much. Therefore, smaller gauge wire can be used; and if the distance is appreciable, the savings is in the lesser-cost of copper wire at the smaller gauge. For the same reason, power transmission is done at thousands of volts, to use smaller wire (than would be needed otherwise).

Answer 6

The size of the unit in BTU's governs the voltage that the unit will need as a supply voltage. Small window units will usually only need 120 volts. Larger under the window (through the wall) units usually use 240 volts. When buying an air conditioner talk to the salesman as to what voltage is needed to operate the unit. Air conditioners should be on their own dedicated supply circuit and this should be added into the overall cost of the unit when getting an estimate on costs.

Answer 7

yes by far about half the elect used on 110

Answer 8

Doesn't really matter, it's all down to the power drain rather than the voltage.