There are many innovations in the HVAC industry today that support the public’s demand for better-quality, more energy-efficient living spaces. One of these innovations with air conditioners and heat pumps and is called two-stage cooling. Two-stage cooling simply means that the compressor has two speeds, low and high, attached to a sensor unit that automatically reduces the speed on mild days and raises it on hot days. With southwest Ohio’s temperature extremes, you want as much versatility in temperature control as you can get, and two-stage cooling delivers.
With a two-stage cooling system, on average the compressor will run on the low speed for 80 percent of the time. The longer cooling cycles are quieter, pull more moisture from the air and increase temperature stability. This decreases indoor humidity, preventing mold and mildew build-up inside the home.
Consistent temperatures, lower humidity and less noise are big selling points, but what really counts is that these newer air conditioners and heat pumps have high SEER ratings that translate into big energy savings for the homeowner. The standard SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating nowadays runs between 13 and 18, but some two-stage cooling air conditioners, such as the Lennox XC21, have a rating of 21-20. This means very high efficiency and performance which will show up in consistently lower utility bills.
With a two-stage cooling system you can also oversize your A/C upgrade, assuming it will be running at the lower speed most of the time. But when things heat up outside, as they already have during this record-breaking Ohio summer, your system can easily handle the increased demand.
Two-stage cooling air conditioners and heat pumps often feature the ability to be connected to purification or dehumidification systems, and to use them with solar power and/or zoning systems. To learn more about this type of system and other innovations that can make a difference in your family’s quality of life and pocketbook, contact Ace Hardware Home Services Inc. Serving the Dayton, Springfield and surrounding areas professionally and efficiently for over 30 years, we can help you find the best HVAC fit for your home.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about two-stage cooling and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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