Should You Invest in a Two-Stage Heat Pump?
With a two-stage heat pump, your heating and cooling system will always have the power it needs for the hottest and coldest days. The secret is that most of the time it doesn’t need it. Conventional systems with single-stage compressors run at 100-percent output at all times. This uses extra energy and increases wear and tear on the compressor.
In typical winter and summer conditions, full compressor output isn’t necessary. A two-stage heat pump monitors the cooling and heating load of your home and automatically drops the compressor output down to the lower setting of 50 to 65 percent when appropriate.
Here are some of the other benefits of having a second stage in your heat pump.
- Because lower stage output is more efficient, a two-stage heat pump runs longer but consumes less electricity than a one-stage compressor. More BTUs are produced per kilowatt of power consumed.
- The continuous operation of a two-stage system reduces the frequent cycling on and off of a one-stage compressor. This reduces component wear and evens out interior comfort by eliminating the spikes and sags in room temperature.
- Two-stage heat pumps produce less noise indoors and outdoors. The compressor in the outdoor cabinet is quieter running at reduced output. Indoors, blower motor noise is also reduced.
- Two-stage units include an air handler with ECM technology that varies the velocity of airflow to match compressor output. Lower, more continuous airflow produces more efficient humidity extraction at the evaporator coil and a more consistent comfort level in the home. In addition, air filtration is also enhanced when air circulation is continuous and at a lower velocity. This helps reduce the level of airborne particulates in the home and improves indoor air quality.
Sobieski Services offers a complete line-up of the latest in heat pump technology, including the high-efficiency two-stage heat pump that cools and heats more effectively and efficiently. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC & plumbing systems).
Image Credit: Dom Dada
