The Anatomy Of The Most Efficient AC Units

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The Importance Of HVAC System Efficiency

Having the right heating and cooling system in a home or business can have a huge impact on the energy costs associated with HVAC systems. Units that are too large or too small are unable to properly heat or cool a building at maximum efficiency. Hello, my name is Roland, and if you're interested in learning everything you can about HVAC systems, you'll find the information you need in this blog. I belong to an environmental organization that helps homeowners and business owners learn how to reduce their energy costs. Our organization helps people save money on their energy bills, and while doing so, this also helps the planet. I've written this blog to help others learn about HVAC systems and how qualified HVAC contractors can help them save money and help the environment.

The Anatomy Of The Most Efficient AC Units

3 August 2016
 Categories: , Blog

If you are new to the home-buying process, you may not know how to recognize a highly efficient AC unit or what the payoff of buying a highly efficient unit is. While the most efficient AC units will cost more money than their less efficient counterparts, you will end up saving money over the long run because it will cost less to cool your home when using a highly efficient unit. As for how to recognize a highly efficient AC unit, there are a few key components that you should look for. 

Large Coils

An AC unit uses two sets of coils to cool the air in your home. On the inside, you will have a set of evaporator coils, which absorb heat from the air in your home. On the outside, you will have a set of condenser coils, which vent heat into the outside air. The larger the surface of these coils are, the less time it takes for them to do their job.

Multiple Compressor Units

While you may have to read a fact sheet about your AC unit in order to learn what type of compressor it has, it still helps to know if you have one or multiple compressors. A unit that has only one compressor can only run at one capacity: full blast. Thus, whenever there is a need for cooling, your unit will start up at full blast then shut off when it has reached the target temperate for your home. Much as is the case with a car racing from stoplight to stoplight, your AC unit will use more energy than it should when operating in this mode. If you have two different-sized compressors, your AC unit will have three modes: high-efficiency when using the smaller compressor, mid-efficiency when using the larger compressor, and high output when running both compressors. 

Variable-Speed Fan

To fully take advantage of a unit with multiple compressors, you should have a variable-speed fan, which will have a motor that can run at different speeds. Thus, when the need for cooling in your home is low, your fan will run with the smaller compressor and the lowest fan setting. It can then maintain a temperature, which will end up using less energy than a fan that is constantly running at full blast would. 

Once you know what to look for in an AC unit, you are prepared to buy a unit that will help you to keep your operating costs as low as possible. Long after you have paid off your unit, the savings you get from running a highly efficient AC will justify the higher price you have to pay initially. Contact a company like Triad Heating & Cooling Inc to learn more.