The Benefits Of Using A Modulating Air Conditioner To Cool Your Home
Home cooling technologies are quickly evolving, especially in terms of overall efficiency. As such, standard air conditioning units are increasingly being replaced by the variable speed or modulating air conditioner.
Modulating air conditioners provides smart energy consumption, reliable performance, and many other outstanding benefits. These units are designed to effectively control indoor temperatures and reduce humidity for assured comfort. This article will share helpful info on using a variable-speed AC system to cool your home.
Modulating AC Systems vs. Standard Cooling Units
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To fully appreciate the value of modulating cooling technology, you have to understand how standard units work. You also need to be aware of how they stack up to these systems. Standard or conventional air conditioners have compressors that operate at a single fixed speed. You simply turn them on, and they function at full capacity all of the time. When they’re turned off, they shut down completely.
Even though this might not seem like a big issue, this type of air conditioner consumes a significant amount of energy. Starting every cooling cycle “from scratch” entails a huge power demand. It is this demand that causes home energy bills to rise.
Given that a standard air conditioner operates at a fixed speed, its cooling temperature isn’t flexible at all. The airflow from this type of unit is typically extreme and intense so that the living environment is either very cold or very hot. This type of system is also known for creating hot and cold spots throughout the home.
How Modulating Air Conditioners Differ
Rather than constantly running at full capacity, modulating units can run between 40 percent capacity and 120 percent capacity. This allows for less extreme and far more even indoor temperatures. With a balanced temperature, there’s better airflow and increased overall comfort.
Modulating AC systems have a compressor with variable capacity or speeds. This speed can be modified or adjusted to meet your changing needs for cooling. By controlling the output of your cooling system, you also have the ability to control how much energy is being used.
Flexible vs. Fixed Temperature Control
“Blasting the air conditioner” is one way to describe how a standard cooling unit works. You turn the air conditioner on and it blows cold air into the living space at full capacity. The air that it emits is the same – cold.
Not only are there limited settings for temperature, but airflow from these units is often strong. Areas throughout the building that aren’t getting enough airflow will have hot spots or cold spots. This can make the living environment uncomfortable, especially during the nighttime hours.
This is an issue that’s prevented by modulating HVAC technologies and the adjustable settings they provide. Variable speed air conditioners make it possible to adjust the airflow according to the current need. Given that there’s less intense output overall, extreme temperatures are prevented. Hot spots and cold spots are prevented too.
Cooling systems that have two or more speeds provide steady and consistent airflow. You can customize their settings to reflect your preferred indoor temperature. Given that you’re able to control output, you can match this to your preferences.
It is important to note that airflow quality is affected by several additional factors. For a modulating AC system to perform optimally, it must be correctly installed according to the specifications of the home. Furthermore, the air conditioner size must match the cooling needs of the home. Be sure to consult with an HVAC technician for additional information.
High & Low Levels of Humidity
Regular on and off cycles are needed with standard air conditioners. As these units stop and then reboot, they don’t always have the chance to remove excess humidity from the indoor air. This can lead to high levels of humidity in your living environment and many moisture-related problems.
Thus, it is common for traditional air conditioners to leave homes feeling muggy and overly warm. Not only does excess humidity create uncomfortable living conditions, but it also sets the stage for mold growth. Mold can cause property damages, and it will negatively impact the health of everyone in your household.
Variable-Speeds Air Conditioning Systems & Mold Prevention
Variable-speed or modulating air conditioners are designed to prevent mold development. Given that these systems require fewer cycles, there are able to more effectively limit indoor moisture. Less moisture means that there will be lower levels of indoor humidity. This means that you can increase the temperature on your thermostat without worrying about your home becoming moldy or muggy. Modulating air conditioners can run for longer stretches of time, and this also allows them to filter out more airborne particulates. This is a great way to boost your overall indoor air quality (IAQ).
Many modulating air conditioners never allow indoor humidity levels to rise above 50 percent. This is something that regulating authorities highly recommend. Comparatively, standard fixed-speed AC systems allow for 60 percent humidity. They create ideal environments for mold, and thus, they often need to be replaced more quickly. However, this is something that many homeowners are able to avoid by practicing good maintenance.
Keep in mind that not all modulating AC systems are designed equally. You aren’t guaranteed to get a unit that will reliably reduce indoor humidity. The only way to ensure that this is an attribute your AC system possess is by carefully shopping your options with a knowledgeable and licensed HVAC technician.
Set Energy Consumption vs. Smart Energy Consumption
With a standard air conditioner, the norm is usually high power use. This is all the more true during summer and other times of extreme weather.
Homeowners must resort to adding insulation or increasing airflow via other strategies to lower their energy consumption. Sadly, traditional air conditioners make it virtually impossible to avoid high energy bills apart from using them less. They aren’t a cost-effective choice.
Modulating or variable-speed air conditioners allow you to cool your home without overspending. They have varying outputs. A unit that can operate at 40 percent of its capacity will not use the same amount of energy as a unit that is always operating at full capacity. Homeowners can control the amount of power that they’re using, and they can continue running their air conditioners without facing exorbitant energy bills.
Short-Term Payback vs. Maintenance Costs
Variable-speed or modulating air conditioners produce energy savings that comfortably cover their initial prices, their installation costs, and the costs of maintaining them. Thus, these units have a generally short period for payback.
Even though there are ways to cut the costs of air conditioner maintenance, standard AC systems cost a lot more over time. Fixed-speed air conditioners take on more wear and tear than variable-speed air conditioners do. With this ongoing strain, the costs of replacements and repairs go up.
Conclusion
With the fast-increasing emphasis on energy efficiency, the move from a standard AC unit to a modulating air conditioner is ultimately inevitable. Upgrades in inverter technologies provide lower-cost heating and cooling equipment. Not only are they helping consumers cut costs, but variable-speed units are better at controlling indoor humidity and temperature, and they create a more comfortable, smarter, and greener home all-around.
Call Hart Home Comfort for Your HVAC Requirements
Hart Home Comfort offers superior HVAC services in Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Queens, New York. We have the best technicians in the industry with years of experience and well-earned certifications. You can count on us to handle any service that you may need for your air conditioner, including proper unit sizing for replacements.
We provide competitive pricing across all services, which are backed by a satisfaction guarantee. If you need reliable and affordable cooling solutions, then give us a call today. Let’s schedule an appointment so that we can give you a free in-home estimate. Call Hart Home Comfort today!
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