If you start to do some research on air conditioning technology, you might come across some unfamiliar phrases. One of the most common ones is “two-stage,” something you’ll see in air conditioners that generally have a high efficiency rating. You may be wondering what this is and why it’s so important.
Is it really that much different than a traditional “single-stage” air conditioner? We tell you what you need to know about these high-efficiency AC systems in the guide below.
#1: “Two-Stage” Refers to Compressor Speed
First, you’ll want to know what, exactly, this term means. Before you can understand that, though, you’ll need to know that most air conditioning system compressors move at only one speed: 100%. This is the part of the system that compresses refrigerant, and it can only usually move at full blast.
Isn’t this a good thing?
Not exactly. Sometimes, you only need your air conditioner to cool your home by 1 or 2 degrees, which calls for a lower speed setting. That’s where a dual-stage compressor comes in. It can run at two speeds as needed:
- The highest speed for summer days, when temperatures often need to decrease by 5°F or more.
- A lower setting for when temperature only need to decrease by a couple of degrees at a time.
#2: This Keeps Temperatures Closer to the Thermostat Setting
On mild days, air conditioners suffer when compressors can only move on one setting of operation. By the time the temperature on the thermostat drops below the preferred settings, the compressor and fan start to blast cool air into your home, overshooting the temperature you really need and using more energy than is necessary.
On hot summer days, this one setting of a single-stage system can be a problem as well. Without a lower speed setting, the air conditioner has to shut off completely once thermostat settings are reached, which means temperatures can rise up several degrees above what is comfortable before the system turns on again.
The dual-stage compressor solves both of these problems. Temperatures are never lower than you need them to be, and they don’t get a chance to go up too high for comfort either. The dual-stage compressor is able to keep temperatures within about 1° or 2° of the thermostat setting.
#3: You Save Money, Big Time
The best benefit of all this, aside from your comfort, is how much you save. When temperatures are kept closer to the thermostat setting, your air conditioner never has to work too hard. This translates to energy savings, in a major way. Some of the highest efficiency systems have dual-stage motors, and many people notice savings of up to hundreds of dollars a year when they upgrade!
Bonus – A Quiet System
While this isn’t the primary reason people switch over to dual-stage cooling, we thought we’d let you know about a little bonus benefits. When dual-stage compressors run at a reduced speed, the entire system is a little bit quieter. That’s good news for light sleepers!
For more information, schedule your air conditioning installation in Cutler Bay, FL with Air On Demand today!