A motor driving apparatus comprising: a temperature sensing unit configured to sense a temperature (T d) around a compressor; an inverter including a plurality of switching elements (Sa, Sb, Sc; S'a, S'b, S'c) and configured to: convert a direct current voltage into an alternating current voltage by switching operation of the switching elements (Sa, Sb, Sc; S'a, S'b, S'c)and supply the AC voltage to a motor used to drive the compressor; and a controller configured to: control the inverter, perform a control to apply motor preheating current for preheating of the motor during a first period (Pal) before startup of the motor, and vary a current application level depending on the sensed temperature (T d), control a motor alignment period, a motor speed increasing period, and an ordinary motor operating period to be performed after the first period (Pal), when the sensed temperature (T d) is a first temperature (Tl): perform a control to cause direct current having a first level to flow in the motor during the first period (Pal), and perform a control to cause direct current having a second level which is greater than the first level to flow in the motor during the motor alignment period,and when the sensed temperature (T d) is a second temperature (T2, T3) which is lower than the first temperature: perform control to cause direct current having a third level which is greater than the first level and the second level to flow in the motor during the first period (Pal). a temperature sensing unit configured to sense a temperature (T d) around a compressor; an inverter including a plurality of switching elements (Sa, Sb, Sc; S'a, S'b, S'c) and configured to: convert a direct current voltage into an alternating current voltage by switching operation of the switching elements (Sa, Sb, Sc; S'a, S'b, S'c)and supply the AC voltage to a motor used to drive the compressor; and convert a direct current voltage into an alternating current voltage by switching operation of the switching elements (Sa, Sb, Sc; S'a, S'b, S'c)and supply the AC voltage to a motor used to drive the compressor; and a controller configured to: control the inverter, perform a control to apply motor preheating current for preheating of the motor during a first period (Pal) before startup of the motor, and vary a current application level depending on the sensed temperature (T d), control the inverter, perform a control to apply motor preheating current for preheating of the motor during a first period (Pal) before startup of the motor, and vary a current application level depending on the sensed temperature (T d), control a motor alignment period, a motor speed increasing period, and an ordinary motor operating period to be performed after the first period (Pal), when the sensed temperature (T d) is a first temperature (Tl): perform a control to cause direct current having a first level to flow in the motor during the first period (Pal), and perform a control to cause direct current having a second level which is greater than the first level to flow in the motor during the motor alignment period,and perform a control to cause direct current having a first level to flow in the motor during the first period (Pal), and perform a control to cause direct current having a second level which is greater than the first level to flow in the motor during the motor alignment period,and when the sensed temperature (T d) is a second temperature (T2, T3) which is lower than the first temperature: perform control to cause direct current having a third level which is greater than the first level and the second level to flow in the motor during the first period (Pal).