4 Things to Know About Two-Stage Heat Pumps
Thanks to its ability to adjust its output, a two-stage heat pump is ideal for handling the range of temperatures we see in the Wilmington area. If you’re in the market for a new heat pump, there are a few things you’ll want to know about two-stage models.
- Two capacities in one — This type of heat pump is referred to as two-stage because it contains a two-stage compressor. A two-stage compressor can switch between two modes of operation: high capacity and low capacity. On especially hot or cold days, it switches to the higher capacity in order to produce the extra cooling or heat you need.
- Energy savings — Around 80 percent of the time, the lower capacity is enough to keep your home comfortable. This capacity uses 22 to 30 percent less electricity than the high capacity. This allows you to save energy most of the time, yet still stay comfortable during a heat wave or cold snap. The ability to run at a higher capacity also means less reliance on the auxiliary heat, which is less efficient and therefore more expensive to run.
- Improved humidity control — A two-stage heat pump runs for longer cycles than a heat pump with a conventional one-stage compressor. This gives the system more time to remove humidity from your air. In fact, a two-stage system can remove nearly twice the humidity as a single-stage heat pump. The right humidity level lets you choose more economical thermostat settings with no loss of comfort. It also discourages the growth of mold and dust mites.
- Better air filtration — Every time your home’s air passes through the HVAC air filter, more dust, mold spores, and other contaminants are removed. Because a two-stage heat pump runs for longer periods, it draws air through the filter more often, resulting cleaner indoor air.
At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.
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