Benefits of 2-Stage and Variable Speed Furnaces

What is a Variable Speed Furnace?

The term "Variable Speed" actually refers to the blower motor inside the furnace or air handler. It's an Electronically commutated motor, or (ECM). ECM's are DC motors that function using a built-in inverter and a magnet rotor, and as a result are able to achieve greater efficiency than most AC motors.

ECMs are low-maintenance, energy efficient, and can reduce operating costs. The initial cost of a furnace with an ECM will be higher than a traditional furnace, but the typical payback on a variable speed furnace is just 2-3 years.

How Does it Work?

Unlike conventional fan motors, a variable speed blower motor runs at different speeds to precisely control the flow of heated or cooled air throughout your home. Better airflow control means a better balance of temperature and humidity to each room.

Using advanced technology that constantly monitors the data coming from your heating and cooling system, and automatically makes adjustments necessary to meet your comfort needs. It varies the amount of circulated air, compensating for factors like dirty filters or blocked or leaking ducts by increasing the fan speed.

-- Put simply, it delivers just the right amount of air for the right level of heating and cooling comfort

As an added bonus, a variable speed motor gradually ramps up to full speed. This eliminates the sudden, noisy blast of air that’s associated with most standard furnace motors. It also reduces stress on the mounting hardware and in the cooling mode, it allows the air conditioner to remove more moisture from the air.

Enduring Health Effects

Some health effects may show up years after exposure has occurred or after frequent periods of exposure. The effects include respiratory diseases, heart disease, and even types of cancer. They can be incapacitating or even fatal if not treated. It is important to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not visible. Pollutants that are normally found indoors can cause many harmful effects. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding prolonged periods of exposure and health problems. Individuals react very differently to indoor air pollutants.

Some Common Pollutants Include: