A central air conditioner that has two-stage cooling could be the antidote to high summer energy bills and better indoor comfort. Systems with this feature change their running speeds based on the amount of cooling thatandrsquo;s needed indoors.
Two- or dual-stage systems have circuitry that senses how much cooling a building needs and adjusts the running speed of the compressors accordingly. Most of the time, dual-speed systems run on low, which provides these advantages:
- Better humidity removal.Excessive indoor humidity makes you feel warmer and promotes mold and dust mite growth. Air conditioners only remove humidity when theyandrsquo;re running, and the longer operational cycle of a two-stage cooling system improves dehumidification. The cold refrigerant circulates through the evaporator coil inside the air handler. When air contacts it, the water vapor condenses and drains away.
- More thorough air circulation.Rooms that are further from the air handler will have more time to cool thoroughly, since the running cycle is longer. A steady stream of cooled air instead of a short blast of cold air is more comfortable, and gives the room furnishings more time to cool off.
- Lower airborne dust loads.Since the system runs for longer periods, it has a chance to trap more dust, pet dander and pollen from the air, which improves indoor air quality and helps asthma and allergy sufferers.
- Less frequent starts and stops.One of the most important advances in air conditioning technology is the use of equipment that minimizes frequent starts. Whenever air conditioners first start, they require a strong surge of electricity that drives up energy costs and taxes the equipment. Variable-speed equipment avoids these surges by running more slowly for longer periods, which prolongs system life and cuts energy use.
A two-stage cooling system in this climate will cut energy costs and provide increased comfort. To learn more, contact Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical, visit our website, or call us at 408-294-6290. We provide trusted HVAC services for South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).