Basics of single stage air conditioning
Most American homes with central air conditioning use a single stage compressor. These compressors were standard for decades, and they continue to represent the majority of AC units we service in South Jersey.
A single stage compressor turns on when indoor temperatures exceed the temperature setting on your thermostat. For example, if you set the thermostat to 75 degrees, the air conditioner will run anytime indoor temperatures hit 76 degrees. After the AC cools the house back to 75 degrees, it will turn off again.
Single stage compressors always operate at 100% capacity. They turn themselves on and off continuously throughout the day.
Basics of variable speed air conditioning
Variable speed compressors work differently. In order to maintain an indoor temperature that matches the setting on your thermostat, they operate continuously at less than 100% capacity – often as low as 25% or 30% capacity. As a result, they run for much longer cycles than single stage AC units. In summertime, they might run for all or most of the day!
Here’s one way to get your head around the difference:
- Single stage compressors blast your home with cold air and turn themselves off when when the desired temperature is reached.
- Variable speed compressors blow a smooth, steady stream of cold air into your home to maintain the desired indoor temperature, rarely turning themselves off.
What about a two stage compressor?
Good question! A two stage or dual stage compressor sits somewhere between single stage and variable speed systems in terms of how it functions. While it doesn’t operate at a wide range of capacities like a variable speed unit, it does vary its output somewhat.
A single stage AC offers one level: high. A two stage AC offers two levels: high and low.
It runs at full capacity when you need it to and at a lower level when you don’t. Two stage units don’t run as continuously as a variable speed AC, but they do cycle on and off less frequently than single stage systems.
How variable speed compressors improve comfort and efficiency
At this point, you’re probably thinking, “It’s hot out there! Why would I want an air conditioner that runs longer and cools my home more slowly?”
For one thing, a variable speed compressor’s longer run times dehumidify your home more effectively than the relatively brief cycles of a single stage unit. One of the biggest problems with single stage compressors is that they’re not running continuously. Relative humidity increases whenever the AC isn’t on, making you feel hotter and more uncomfortable. This is especially acute when an air conditioner is oversized, as they often are.
Most people deal with this problem by lowering the temperature on their thermostat, which brings us to the other benefit of variable speed compressors: cost.
A single stage compressor blasts your home with cold air before it turns itself off. Then it turns on again when the indoor temperature increases. Most of your air conditioner’s electricity draw occurs when it turns on, not while it’s running. In the summer, a single stage compressor turns on and off a lot, a process known as “short cycling.”
Do you see where this is going?
Since single stage compressors tend to short cycle, they usually draw a lot more electricity than a variable speed unit that turns on and stays on for hours. As a result, the single stage AC is much more expensive to operate!
When it comes to comfort and efficiency:
- Single stage air conditioners don’t dehumidify indoor air very well, forcing you to lower the temperature setting on your thermostat. They also turn on and off a lot, which increases your energy bill.
- Two stage compressors don’t turn on and off nearly as much. They’re more efficient than single stage units, but not as efficient as variable speed compressors.
- Variable speed air conditioners run continuously, effectively dehumidifying the air inside your home. As a result, you feel comfortable at higher temperatures and don’t have to set your thermostat to a low temperature. And since they don’t turn on as often, variable speed AC units lower your utility costs.
There are fringe benefits, too.
Believe it or not, more effective cooling and greater efficiency aren’t the only benefits of a variable speed compressor.
If you’re concerned about indoor air quality, opting for a two stage or variable speed unit can help purify the air circulating around your home, resulting in healthier conditions for you and your family. Since they dehumidify indoor air more effectively than a single stage unit, a more efficient system helps you:
- Eliminate mold growth in bathrooms and kitchens
- Prevent the proliferation of dust mites
- Create conditions that are inhospitable to insect intruders
And since variable speed units run more frequently, they also filter your indoor air more effectively. More air is cycled through your return ducts – and your air filters – resulting in a lower volume of air contaminants.
They’re also quieter than single stage compressors. If you’re used to cool air exploding into your home like a sudden gust of wind, you’ll probably be surprised by the variable speed unit’s more subdued, consistent air flow.
