Inverter vs Non-Inverter AC: Which Should You Buy?

9,000 BTU/h is the most popular capacity among home split air conditioners. But "how many m² does it cool" has a more nuanced answer than the box suggests.

Quick rule of thumb

Industry standard: 330-380 BTU per m². 9,000 BTU divided by that range = 23-27 m² under standard conditions.

What "standard conditions" means

• Ceiling height 2.5-2.7 m
• 1-2 windows facing east or north
• Modern insulation (buildings post-1990)
• 1-2 occupants
• Standard electronics (TV, laptop)

When to upsize

Each factor below typically needs +15-20% capacity:

• South/west facing windows: +20%
• Ceilings above 3 m: +15%
• Kitchen heat sources (stove, oven): +25%
• 4+ permanent occupants: +10% per person
• Old single-pane windows: +20%

Practical examples

Bedroom 18 m², north-facing, 2 occupants → 9,000 BTU fits comfortably.

Living room 25 m², south windows, 3 people → 9,000 BTU is insufficient; upsize to 12,000 BTU.

Office 20 m², 4 PCs, 4-5 staff rotation → recommend 12,000 BTU (heat sources).

One of the most critical specs when buying a new AC: refrigerant type. In 2026 the market offers two options — legacy R410A and modern R32.

What is R32 and why it matters

R32 (difluoromethane) is a single-component refrigerant. R410A is a 50/50 blend of R32 + R125. R32 wins on:

• GWP 675 vs R410A 2,088 — 3× better for climate.
• 5-10% higher cooling effect — uses less refrigerant for same output.
• Easier reclamation — single component is cheaper to recover.
• EU F-Gas compliance — R410A is being phased down from 2025.

Is R410A still bad?

No, R410A still works fine technically. But the new generation only uses R32, and R410A refill will become scarce and expensive.