A variable-speed blower is one of the latest successful efforts in increasing efficiency within your home’s HVAC system, but is the increased cost of installation and repairs worth it? Below I am going to highlight the additional pros and cons of variable speed air handlers, so you can make an informed decision on if one is right for you.
Pros
Increased Efficiency
By pushing the air through the handler at differing speeds a variable speed unit increase the overall efficiency of your HVAC system which can save you money in the long run.
Traditional single-stage and two-stage air handlers only operate at a single speed which causes them to turn on and off many times throughout the course of a day. Variable-speed air handlers maintain a near-constant flow of air so that they never have to turn completely on or off.
Quiet Operating
When a variable speed air conditioner is blowing at a lower speed it makes little to no noise, whereas traditional single-speed air conditioners only have one noisy speed.
Dehumidification
Dehumidification is one of the main contributors to indoor air comfort in the summer months. Variable-speed technology does a better job at reducing the humidity in the home by way of their longer low-power cycles.
Better Air Quality
The near-constant low-speed running of a variable-speed air conditioning system forces the air through a filter much more frequently. This prevents the air from getting stagnant in between runs which in turn pouches cleaner, healthier air through the vents in your home.
Finely-tuned Temperature Balance
The variable speeds of the air handler give the HVAC unit the ability to keep the indoor temperature within a degree of the set temp.
As the indoor temperature nears the set temperature the air handler will lower the amount of air being pushed out of the vents. This not only reduces the daily cycle count but keeps your home at the desired temperature on a consistent basis.
Cons
Cost
Variable-speed air handlers cost more to install and repair than traditional single, or double speed handlers. You can plan on one of these to set you back an additional 12%-20%.
Long Term Value
Due to the increased cost of owning one of these air handlers I can only recommend them to people who plan on staying in their home or owning their property for a long period of time.
The increased efficiency will start saving you money immediately, but if you don’t plan on staying in the house long enough to reap the benefits of the decreased energy bill then there is no point in spending the extra money.
Closing
These air handlers can offer you and your home a more efficient, accurate, and comfortable solution to indoor air comfort. Everything about a variable-speed handler makes it the best choice for an air handler upgrade – but the cost of the installation and repairs are going to far exceed that of a traditional air handler.
