Earlier this week we blogged about how variable-speed blower motors make it easier to control the temperatures in your home. Another upgrade you can make to your cooling system that has very similar effects is installing an air conditioner with a two-stage air compressor.
What is a two-stage air compressor?
Similar to a standard blower motor, a standard air compressor is only able to operate at one level: high. An air conditioner with a two-stage air compressor operates at two different levels: high and low. This type of air compressor runs at the low level about 80 percent of the time and only kicks into the high level when it’s needed.
4 benefits of installing a two-stage air compressor
- Energy savings.
- Better for your air conditioner. Because it has longer cooling cycles, an air conditioner with a two-stage air compressor does not shut on and off nearly as much as a unit with a standard air compressor. This puts less strain on your air conditioner and is also more energy-efficient.
- Less temperature swings. Just like a variable-speed blower motor, a two-stage air compressor can cool your home gradually instead of hitting it with a blast of cold air every time the temperature rises above the setpoint on the thermostat. This results in a more consistent temperature in your home throughout the day and night.
- Better at dehumidifying air. The longer cooling cycles of a two-stage air compressor allow it to spend more time pulling moisture out of the air. This makes it better at controlling high humidity in your home.
When a two-stage air compressor is operating at the low level, it uses less energy than at the high level. Since it runs at a low level most of the time, it uses much less energy than a standard air compressor even though its cooling cycles last longer.
If you have any questions about a two-stage air compressor, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your St. Louis area heating and cooling company.
