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Homeowners know the importance of heating their houses but may not realize that they have a choice in the type of furnace they use. When researching furnaces, you may come across these different types and wonder, “What is a variable-speed furnace, and why do so many homeowners prefer it?”
Keep reading to learn about the benefits of a variable-speed furnace and information on furnace replacement and installation in Richmond Hill.
Defining a Variable-Speed Furnace
Variable-speed furnaces work with different speeds to provide your home with the most economical and ecologically friendly heating. Sometimes called a two-stage furnace, variable-speed furnaces reach a temperature setting in a high-power state, then switch to a low-power setting to maintain that temperature. This ability to switch between power modes uses less electricity without sacrificing the comfort of a heated home.
How Variable-Speed Furnaces Work
These types of furnaces rely on a variable-speed motor that responds to readings provided by a home’s heating and air conditioning system. As temperature information comes into the furnace, the system’s blower motor speeds up or slows down to ensure a home maintains a specific temperature. When a variable-speed furnace senses that a home needs higher temperatures, the furnace gently switches into a more active mode to provide additional heat.
The Difference Between Variable-Speed Furnaces and Traditional Furnaces
Homeowners considering a new furnace for their homes may wonder what differences lie between variable-speed and traditional furnaces. Known as single-speed furnaces, these systems rely on data transmitted to them through the thermostat settings and indoor sensors. The transmitted information tells the furnace how to proceed.
After informing the furnace of the preferred temperature, the system heats or cools your space until it matches your ideal temperature, then switches off. Once the home’s temperature starts to drop again, the furnace waits until it reaches a particular low before kicking back on at full force to start the cycle all over again.
Variable-speed furnaces don’t wait for that steep drop in temperature before turning back on. While the system works, it collects data from the environment around it and adjusts the system’s heating output accordingly. This ongoing activity prevents a house from becoming too cold or warm by supplying a steady stream of conditioned air.
Benefits of a Variable-Speed Furnace
Making the change from a traditional furnace may seem difficult, but the advantages of a variable-speed furnace far outweigh those of a traditional one. Variable-speed furnaces offer many benefits over single-speed furnaces.
No More Temperature Fluctuations
Single-speed furnaces run at full power, then turn off when the thermostat’s sensors detect that the home has met the temperature settings. Variable-speed furnaces use those same sensors to control factors such as the speed of the blower motor and what level of power will best serve your home. This difference in run-time and power usage makes it easier to control your home’s overall indoor temperature, lowering the chances of temperature fluctuations throughout your house.
Smart Heating and Air Control
Variable-speed furnaces always run, while single-speed furnaces only kick on when needed. However, when traditional furnaces do turn on, they go straight into full-power mode so they can reach your desired temperature before shutting off again. To combat the high energy usage and uncomfortable temperatures between run-times, variable-speed furnaces have a low setting that helps maintain your ideal temperature.
Less System Wear and Tear
Single-speed systems may have downtime between keeping your house warm, but when they turn on, they go from zero to full power, then back to zero. This wears away at the system’s components, such as its blower motor, electrical wires, and interior switches. As a result, you’ll have to frequently replace these parts or schedule repairs, and the longer you have the system, the more wear and tear it undergoes.
A variable-speed system runs continuously but changes back and forth between low and high power. These two settings also have a gradual change that occurs between them, making transitions not so sudden and less taxing on the system. By making the overall job easier on the system, variable-speed furnaces suffer less wear and tear.
Less System Noise
When a single-speed furnace kicks on, it makes an audible noise that ranges from a thudding to a clicking sound. You can tell when they’re running due to the noise of the machine, which dies down when the interior temperature has reached your thermostat setting. A variable-speed furnace makes significantly less noise than a traditional one, making it easier to relax in comfort without the noise pollution of a loud heating system.
Lower Energy Bills
While single-speed furnaces don’t run all the time, they take up an enormous amount of energy to turn on and run at full power. While they run continuously, variable-speed furnaces use less energy because they maintain a home’s temperature through their low setting, requiring the system’s high setting much less than single-speed furnaces. With these differences in running power and speeds, homeowners can expect to see lower utility bills after they install a variable-speed furnace.
Better Air Quality
While both variable-speed and single-speed furnaces use air filters, the way that their systems run affects the efficiency and effectiveness of improving indoor air quality. Since single-speed systems only draw indoor air through the filter while running, dust and debris can settle throughout the house when the system turns off. However, thanks to the constant airflow generated even during its low power setting, a variable-speed furnace continuously pulls particles in the air to the filter.
Are There Any Downsides to Installing a Variable-Speed Furnace?
Asking, “What is a variable-speed furnace?” often leads to questions about the benefits of the system over traditional furnaces. However, since these systems have more sensitive components, they require some special treatment. Some of the few downsides of installing a variable-speed furnace include:
Up-Front Cost
Homeowners can expect to pay more for a variable-speed furnace than a traditional one. As with single-speed furnaces, the actual price of your furnace depends on the size of your home and your heating needs. For example, a 60k BTU (British thermal unit) single-speed furnace can run between $1,100 and $2,500, while a variable-speed furnace of the same power could cost between $2,000 and $4,500.
Since variable-speed furnaces need HVAC technicians skilled in installing these more complex units, you may pay more in labor and parts costs as well. While you’ll pay more for the initial purchase and installation of your variable-speed furnace, over time, the energy savings will make up for the up-front cost.
Furnace Sizes
Regardless of whether you get a single-speed or variable-speed furnace, you want to pay special attention to ensure you get the right size for your home. However, single-speed furnaces show more forgiveness in case you accidentally use a system slightly larger or smaller than your home actually needs. Because of the way that a variable-speed furnace works, you must use the right size system.
If you install a variable-speed furnace of the wrong size in your home, you might see rises in your energy bill or your system may not know when to turn on or off its different power cycles. Your system will suffer from extra wear and tear and require frequent maintenance or repair calls. Work with a professional HVAC company to ensure you choose the right size variable-speed furnace for your home.
Frequent Maintenance
Variable-speed furnaces have finicky technology that makes them more likely to break down without regular maintenance. While traditional heating systems may only require a single maintenance visit each year, you may want to have a professional HVAC tech check out your variable-speed system twice annually.
In-house maintenance, such as changing out the system’s filter, also requires more frequent performance for variable-speed systems over traditional ones. Since variable-speed motors run all the time, the air filter constantly takes in dust, dirt, hair, and debris, making the filter dirtier more quickly than with a single-speed furnace.
Should You Purchase a Variable-Speed Furnace?
Homeowners often wonder if they should purchase these new heating systems over traditional single-speed furnaces. However, the answer depends on what’s important to you today and five years from now.
For example, if you have a tight budget and don’t mind updating the system later, you can get away with a single-speed furnace. However, if you want a furnace that provides amazing air quality while costing less and using less energy, a variable-speed furnace is ideal.
Contact Georgia Air Today
The best way to choose the right furnace is by working with HVAC professionals who can guide you in your decision and install the system for you. Our licensed and insured technicians at Georgia Air can determine which type of system will serve you best and match up your home with the correct furnace size. From installation to repairs and maintenance, you can trust our experienced team to keep your furnace in its best conditions
If you’re asking, “What is a variable-speed furnace?” and have more questions, call our Georgia Air Cooling & Heating team at (912) 513-3724. Learn our tips and tricks for before and after furnace installation.