Are you planning an air conditioner replacement? If so, it’s worth considering a two-stage A/C that offers greater comfort, better humidity control and enhanced efficiency. Let’s take a closer look at how two-stage cooling technology works:
Single-Stage Vs Two-Stage Air Conditioning – The Compressor Makes The Difference
A standard air conditioner compressor only has one speed, so whenever the thermostat signals it to cycle on, it runs on high at full capacity. In contrast, a two-stage compressor has two speed options, low and high. The lower speed utilizes about 67 percent of the system’s capacity. A two-stage system operates almost continuously at low speed, but it automatically ramps up to full speed when more cooling power is needed.
A two-stage cooling system offers a number of benefits:
Energy savings. In the temperate climate of Central Indiana, a two-stage compressor can run on low 80 percent of the time and still keep a home cool and comfortable. It’s more efficient during the spring and fall, and overnight and cooler times of day in the summer when full-on operation isn’t needed. This translates into lower monthly energy bills.
Better humidity control. Because a two-stage compressor pulls air across the coils almost continuously, it allows the A/C to extract excess moisture more effectively, even though it’s often running at a lower speed. The same benefit applies to air filtration.
Greater comfort. The on-off cycling of a standard A/C can lead to drastic temperature fluctuations in a home. There’s a blast of cold air when it’s running, but when it cycles off, the living space quickly becomes hot and sticky again. A two-stage system’s longer cycling periods can deliver just the right amount of cold air to virtually eliminate temperature variations.
Longer equipment life. The strain of repeated on-and-off cycling can eventually cause a compressor breakdown or failure. With annual preventative maintenance, a two-stage compressor’s longer cycling periods and low-speed operation can add years of trouble-free service to an A/C’s lifespan.
To learn more about the advantages of a two-stage A/C, please contact us today at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’ve proudly served the Indianapolis area for over 40 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
