What is single stage, two stage and variable speed air conditioning?

Small solutions can help you with variable stage air conditioning

If you’ve recently moved into a new home or been considering upgrading or repairing the air conditioning system in your home, you may have heard the terms “single stage compressor”, “two stage”, “dual stage” or “variable speed air conditioning”. What are the differences, and which is best for your needs?

We’ll explain the differences in the air conditioning technology in this post.

Single stage air conditioning

Single stage air conditioning is the traditional and still most common type of system used across the USA today. A standard for decades, these systems continue to represent the majority of AC units we service in the Northern Virginia and Shenandoah Valley area. A single stage air conditioner refers to the compressor type. The single stage compressor has one mode of operation: on or off. It’s either full blast at 100% on, or it’s off. If you set the temperature in your home to 70ºF and it gets warmer than that, the unit will turn on and blast cool air until it reaches back down to 70ºF.

Single stage compressors always operate at 100% capacity. They turn themselves on and off continuously throughout the day.

Variable speed air conditioning

Variable speed air conditioning works differently. To maintain the indoor temperature you’d like, they run continuously–but not at 100% capacity. They operate continuously at less than 100% capacity – often as low as 25% or 30% capacity. As a result, they run for much longer cycles than single stage AC units. Variable speed compressors blow a smooth, steady stream of cold air into your home to maintain the desired indoor temperature, rarely turning themselves off.

Two-stage air conditioning

Two-stage falls in between single stage and variable speed. Not as sophisticated as variable speed air conditioning, they’re still slightly more advanced with a high and low setting. It runs at full capacity when you need it to and at a lower level when you don’t. Two stage units don’t run as continuously as a variable speed AC, but they do cycle on and off less frequently than single stage systems.

“So, why would I want an AC that runs continuously that doesn’t blast cold air to cool my home as quickly..?”

One of the biggest problems with single stage compressors is that they’re not running continuously. Relative humidity increases whenever the AC isn’t on, making you feel hotter and more uncomfortable.

Most people deal with this problem by lowering the temperature on their thermostat.
 A single stage compressor blasts your home with cold air before it turns itself off. Then it turns on again when the indoor temperature increases. In the summer, a single stage compressor turns on and off a lot, known as “short cycling.”

Since single stage compressors tend to short cycle, they usually draw a lot more electricity than a variable speed unit that turns on and stays on for hours…
In other words, it’s more expensive.

Variable speed air conditioners run continuously, which also dehumidifies the air.

  • You feel comfortable at higher temperatures
  • They don’t turn on as often, so they lower your utility costs
  • They eliminate mold growth in bathrooms and kitchens
  • They prevent the proliferation of dust mites
  • They create conditions that are inhospitable to insect intruders

Should you change your AC unit to a variable speed air conditioner?

If it’s time to upgrade an aging AC, e usually recommend that variable speed air conditioning is the best way to go. But if your single stage air conditioner isn’t old enough to justify replacement, consider a whole house dehumidifier. If it’s time to replace your AC and you think that your single stage unit does the job fine, stick with what you know. Replacing an old 8 SEER single-stage AC with a new 14 SEER single-stage AC still results in a more efficient system. If your relative humidity is consistently below 55 percent and you don’t suffer from poor indoor air quality, you might not need a variable speed unit. (See our post here on SEER ratings.)

Ask us your questions about AC units and what might be a great fit for you…we’re happy to offer input based on our experience and the size of your home, the climate, your exisiting unit, etc.

 

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An Explanation of SEER ratings for your air conditioner or heat pump

small solutions explains seer ratings for air conditioner

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1569174920139{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]What is a SEER rating on your air conditioner or heat pump? SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it guides consumers to purchase the best air conditioner or heat pump for their home or business.

The SEER measures air conditioning and heat pump cooling efficiency, which is calculated by the cooling output for a typical cooling season divided by the total electric energy input during the same time frame. A SEER rating is a maximum efficiency rating, similar to the miles per gallon for your car. For example, your car might get 28 miles per gallon on the highway, but if you’re stuck in city traffic it could be lower. If your air conditioner is 21 SEER, that’s its maximum efficiency.

By decree of the US Department of Energy, all air conditioners sold in the US on or after January 1, 2006, must have a minimum SEER rating of 13. Energy Star appliances must have a rating of 14.

Modern air conditioners have a SEER value ranging from 13 or 14 SEER as a minimum (depending on your state’s requirements), to a maximum of 21 or 25 SEER (based on modern technology limitations).

Older air conditioners were rated at around 8 or 9 SEER. So in actuality, a modern 14 SEER unit is still drastically more efficient than an older unit you might be replacing and may be plenty for your needs.

Now, in the case of saving energy, a 21 SEER AC will provide cheaper monthly energy bills than a 14 SEER unit. But even with the monthly savings, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever recoup the higher upfront cost of the unit.

Why?

Depending on your climate, most air conditioners last 15-20 years. If you’re in a warmer climate like Florida, an average lifespan would be more around 10 years. So depending on the use your unit will have, with the upfront expense vs savings on your energy bill, it may not save you much in the long run if you’re deciding between investing in a 16 SEER or a 21 SEER unit, if the unit is going to last about a decade.

Besides money, however, a higher SEER also means greater comfort.

Higher SEER units often come with 2 components that lead to greater indoor comfort:

2-stage compressor
Variable-speed blower

These features lead to even cooling and lower humidity levels in your home, giving you more comfortable air to live in.

If you have questions about SEER ratings and your HVAC system or air-conditioning unit, give us a call! We can answer your questions and explain differences among brands and what might suit depending on your specific needs.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”4/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1559424819063{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]