If you’re in the market for a new central air conditioning system, make sure you get one with the latest technology. That means adaptive output, both in the air handler and compressor. For example, a variable-speed air handler will enhance energy efficiency, comfort and indoor air quality in your Twin Cities area home.
What Is a Variable-Speed Air Handler?
Central air conditioners have two main phases of operation: the equipment that actually cools your home by removing heat energy from indoor air; and the air handler or furnace blower that circulates cooled air throughout the house and then draws it back into the system to be cooled again. A standard blower motor or air handler only operates at full speed, while a variable speed air handler uses an electronically commutated motor (ECM) to adapt its running speed to the temperature needs in your home. It starts at full speed, brings the home to the thermostat setting, then settles into continuous, low-speed operation.
Why Variable Speed Is Best
- Energy efficiency: The low-level continuous operation saves energy for two reasons. Without the short cycling of a standard motor, the system doesn’t have as many stops and starts, which is the point when the most energy is consumed. Also, the engineering of the ECM is inherently more energy efficient than a standard motor. This translates into lower energy bills throughout the life of your central A/C.
- Enhanced comfort: Continuous operation of the variable-speed air handler does a better job of distributing cooled air throughout your home.
- Less noise: With continuous, low-speed operation, the A/C doesn’t make as much racket as a standard air handler with its frequent stop-and-start operation.
- Superior air filtration and dehumidification: Since the air is continuously circulating through the home, the system has more opportunities to filter and dehumidify the air.
- How it works: Variable-speed air handler technology works in tandem with modulating or multi-stage compressors for optimum energy efficiency.
For more information on how a variable-speed air handler can improve comfort and energy efficiency in your Twin Cities area home, please contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about variable-speed air handlers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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