What Can A Variable-Speed Furnace Do For Me?
Variable-speed furnaces and other modern heating systems feature a variety of innovative technological advances that enable them to deliver superior levels of energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Thus, if you’re currently shopping for a new furnace, one of the best options to consider is a variable-speed furnace. Following is all that you should know about variable-speed furnace models, including how they help improve the overall efficiency of the homes they’re installed in.
What a Variable-Speed Furnace Is
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Much like its name indicates, a variable-speed furnace can operate at different speeds to help boost the quality of the indoor air. They have electronically commutated motors (ECMs) that make this possible. Actually, the term “variable-speed” is actually referring to this unit’s ECM, which is a DC or direct current blower motor that has a magnet rotor and inverter built right in. This design enables the ECM to provide superior levels of efficiency when compared to AC or alternating current motors. More importantly, ECMs are cheaper to maintain and use. Thus, even though a variable-speed furnace will cost a bit more upfront than a single-stage, traditional furnace will, they have shorter payback periods in most instances that range between just four and five years.
How Variable Speed Furnaces Work
With advanced HVAC technologies, a variable-speed furnace can both monitor and analyze HVAC system data to auto-adjust its speed for assured comfort indoors. This type of system is designed to regulate the amount of air that moves through the home while compensating for issues such as blocked registers, vents, and clogged or dirty HVAC filters. It will adjust the speed of the fan as needed. Unlike a conventional furnace, a variable-speed furnace will take a while to reach full speed. This way, it can operate more smoothly and far quieter than a traditional furnace. There’s also the fact that variable-speed furnaces only operate at top speeds as necessary and as such, they use less energy than traditional furnaces do, which constantly operate at top speed.
How Variable-Speed, 2-Stage, and Single-Speed Furnaces Differ
Single-stage furnaces always operate at full speed. Due to this fact, they don’t really account for airflow within the home when attempting to reach and maintain the set temperature. Conversely, a two-stage furnace has two distinct phases of operation – high and low. The low phase is for energy conservation. In the energy conservation mode, the furnace uses as little energy as possible to warm a home up. When more heat is needed due to excessively low temperatures outdoors, this furnace will use more energy and move into the second phase of operation to distribute more warm air evenly throughout the building. A two-stage furnace operates at 25 percent capacity on average. Due to this fact, this furnace type is noticeably quieter than single-stage furnaces and it also creates less carbon dioxide.
Variable-speed furnaces provide more energy savings and better levels of efficiency all-around. When equipped with computerized ECM blower motors, variable-speed furnaces can monitor the air that flows throughout your home and auto-regulate it. Computerized blower motors allow for unmatched levels of efficiency, indoor comfort, consistent heat.
Get Increased Home Efficiency With a Variable-Speed Furnace
- Given its ability to precisely control airflow, a variable-speed furnace distributes humidity and heat efficiently throughout the building for improved overall comfort.
- Variable-speed heating systems use approximately two-thirds less energy and they perform far better overall than single-speed furnaces. Given that a variable-speed heating system operates at low capacity for the majority of the time, it’s quieter too. This unit will gradually ramp up its speed so that air fluctuations are minimized.
- Variable-speed furnaces often come with smart thermostats that are able to auto-control blower motor speeds. A smart thermostat can even be used to zone an HVAC system so that different areas of the home can be selectively heated, and without blocking vents, wasting energy, or taking any other actions that might cause your HVAC equipment to malfunction.
- You will get more precise and far better temperature control all-around when you have a variable-speed heating system in your home. Cycles that are longer and run at variable speeds means that they can effectively respond to indoor temperature changes, and consistently deliver hot air all throughout the building. This limits the likelihood of having warm air collected at the top of the home.
Other Benefits That a Variable-Speed Furnace Can Supply
Among some of the additional benefits that you’ll get when upgrading to a variable-speed furnace are:
- Cleaner Indoor Air: So long as your heater’s blower motor is running, air will be pushed through your HVAC system by your variable-speed furnace so that the air filter can catch and collect more harmful indoor air particulates. This allows for healthier, cleaner air indoors.
- Better Humidity Control: Compared to a single-stage heating system, a variable-speed furnace is better able to regulate indoor humidity levels. To be specific, variable-speed heaters are better at removing humidity from the indoor air. Due to this fact, they are the perfect option for homeowners dealing with high moisture levels and the problems that excess humidity causes such as higher levels of allergens, mold and mildew growth, and more.
Conclusion
Unlike single-speed furnaces, a variable-speed heating system monitors and analyzes airflow throughout the home using a computer, and it then adjusts the speed of its motor for optimized indoor comfort. In comparison to traditional heaters, a variable-speed furnace is far more efficient, better for the environment, and able to provide precise temperature and humidity control. These systems are cheaper to use and maintain, and they’re also longer lasting.
Call Hart Home Comfort for the HVAC Help You Need
Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Queens, New York locals trust Hart Home Comfort for their heating and cooling needs. That’s because our team is comprised of certified technicians that can handle all HVAC replacement, installation, and repair jobs. They are experienced, knowledgeable, and able to service your home HVAC equipment the right way.
You can also get the most competitive rates on HVAC services from Hart Home Comfort. Use our maintenance services to boost your indoor comfort levels, increase the energy efficiency of your HVAC equipment, and limit your spending on home energy bills. If you need to replace your current furnace and want to have a variable-speed furnace installed, let us help you find the right one. All of our work is always backed by our solid satisfaction guarantee. Call Hart Home Comfort right now to set up a consultation. We can give you a detailed, in-home estimate at no charge.
For any questions about what Hart Home Comfort can do for you, give us a call today. Click here to contact us now or call us at (631) 667-3200 to find out more!