Written by Donald Kampfhenkel, owner of D&D Mechanical
Are two-speed units worth the cost? That’s a question that is often asked. The answer is yes and no.
No, if you are going to sell the house in the next year. Yes in all other cases.
I put in a 15 SEER Trane heat pump in my own house and I wish I’d put in a better unit. My unit heats and cools great. I just know that the comfort could be better.
The two-stage, two compressor, or inverter driven equipment gives you a much more even temperature control than the single-speed unit. My unit comes on and cools great. Better than the old Ruud unit we pulled out. The wife no longer says it’s too humid.
The overall efficiency of a multi-stage unit is determined by averaging the efficiency at the lower capacity and the efficiency at the high capacity. The truth is that the unit will run at the lower capacity setting for 80% of the time. The effect on your electric bill is far better than what the SEER rating shows. When we give a price savings we use the SEER rating numbers. We don’t fudge even when we know they will be better.
Everyone that we have talked with that has had a two-stage unit installed has been shocked at the cost savings. A friend of 25 years finally bought a new Trane XL20i heat pump. His electric bills in the summer were $250 with the thermostat set on 80˚. Last summer with the thermostat turned down to 76˚ his August bill was $135.
The biggest thing isn’t the savings, though. The comfort is just so much better. The unit just sits there and runs at low speed, cooling silently. I mean you just don’t hear it and you’re comfortable. Its running, dehumidifying, and keeping the air circulating giving you a comfort that is hard to show. No drafts, no noise, just an even temperature.
Don’t be like me and have buyer’s remorse. Call us today and ask about our two stage systems. We’ll give you a free estimate. You can contact us by calling 830-257-4303 or through our heating and cooling website.
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