Variable-Speed Technology: So Are You up to Speed?

Has it been a while since you last bought a new furnace or heat pump? It’s about time you’re brought up to speed on the latest technologies available. For example, variable-speed compressors are making their way into the latest furnaces, bringing with them an abundance of energy savings for homeowners as well as lower repair costs and enhanced home comfort.

So how does variable-speed technology work? Just imagine the accelerator pedal on an average car. The harder the pedal’s pushed, the higher the engine revs and the faster the car goes. Now imagine your HVAC system having its own accelerator pedal, giving it the ability to throttle up or slow down the compressor according to load and other factors.

The average compressor is designed to operate at just one speed, so it ends up cycling on and off to maintain a comfortable temperature. With variable-speed technology, the compressor can run at high speed to quickly circulate heat throughout the home and slow down to maintain air flow and reduce moisture while using less energy in the process. Thanks to variable-speed technology, it takes far less effort to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

Basic compressors with variable-speed technology use 10 to 20 percent less energy than their traditional single-speed counterparts. Electronically commutated motors (ECM) manage to consume 50 percent less energy. Variable-speed compressors that utilize integrated logic boards to keep track of usage patterns can save homeowners up to 85 percent in energy costs.

Learn more about the latest advances in furnace and heat pump tech by talking to the professionals at CR Wolfe Heating & Air Conditioning. Since 1945, we’ve proudly provided quality service to the Middletown area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about variable speed technology and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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