Your forced-air heating and cooling system has a motor located inside the air handler (furnace or blower coil) that drives the fan that blows cooled or heated air throughout the home. Available today are air conditioning systems with variable speed motors that run at a wide range of speeds to precisely control the flow of heated and cooled air throughout the space.
Variable speed motors can save you money on your energy bills by consuming less electricity by helping your system gain air conditioning efficiency. They also help improve your indoor air quality and comfort. Keep in mind, the entire system must be analyzed and set up properly by your installer for it to achieve optimal comfort and efficiency. Special attention to the duct system and airflow is key to a successful variable-speed installation. As with any good technology, its advantages can be negatively impacted by poor installation. Before you start, look for a qualified contractor.
Two-stage cooling means the air conditioner or heat pump has a compressor with two levels of operation: high for hot summer days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet of your home’s cooling demands 80 percent of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods, but consumes less energy. Longer cooling cycles also help control humidity efficiently. A two-stage air conditioner or heat pump can remove more moisture from the air because it runs for longer periods at a low setting allowing more air to circulate through it. Two-stage heating means the furnace has two levels of heat output: high for cold winter days and low for milder days. A two-stage furnace starts in the first stage, when the amount of heat required is lower, instead of reaching full capacity all at once. That means there's no sudden "kick" or blast of air. Longer, low-speed operation allows your filters to capture more contaminants because air is constantly circulating through them. Because the furnace operates mostly in its lower-capacity first stage, it burns less fuel and it shuts off when the heating demand has been met.
A hybrid heating system is a similar concept to the hybrid car, which combines a gas engine and an electric motor to achieve incredible fuel economies. A hybrid heating system typically combines a gas (furnace) and electricity (heat pump) to provide fuel savings. Control technology automatically selects the most economical source for your heating needs. This offers you the flexibility to maintain your comfort as weather conditions and energy prices change. Two-stage heating means the furnace has two levels of heat output: high for cold winter days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household-cooling demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and provides more even heat distribution.
The amount of humidity in the air affects your indoor comfort. If your home is dry in the winter, you may be adjusting your thermostat because you are too cold and not comfortable. A whole-house humidifier installed by your heating and cooling professional can deliver the right amount of moisture to your air making you feel more comfortable at lower thermostat settings – helping you save money, energy and the environment. It can even save your wooden furniture and hardwood floors from damage through excessive expansion and contraction.
Too much humidity in your home can make you feel hot and sticky, and can create a breeding ground for mold, mildew, bacteria and dust mites. When your forced-air system is cooling your home, a dehumidifier can be used to improve comfort, air quality and energy savings during warmer month — helping you feel cooler at a higher thermostat setting.
If you have a room in your home that is too hot or too cold, or your family is in the middle of a thermostat war, or perhaps there are areas of your home that simply don’t need conditioning, zone control technology could help you reduce the energy waste these issues cause. Zoning divides the home into different areas and comfort into different levels, giving you more choices and control than ever before. This can save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs each year.
Forced-Air System Zoning
When integrated with variable speed and/or two-stage HVAC systems, zoning allows your heating and cooling equipment to deliver peak performance and efficiency without continually operating at peak capacity. Lower speeds mean lower sound levels.
Hot Water System Zoning
One way to save energy in hot-water heating systems is to retrofit them to provide separate zone control for different areas of large homes. A heating professional can install automatic valves on the hot-water radiators, controlled by thermostats in each zone of the house. Using programmable thermostats will allow you to automatically heat and cool off portions of your home to match your usage patterns.
A programmable thermostat is recommended for homes where the residents are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week, allowing them to use less energy without sacrificing comfort. Programmable thermostats that have earned the ENERGY STAR offer the most energy-saving potential for your home and, unlike older manual thermostats, contain no mercury. Through proper use of your ENERGY STAR qualified thermostat, you can save about $150 every year in energy costs. In order to increase your energy savings, it’s important that you keep the thermostat set at energy-saving temperatures for long periods of time, such as during the day when no one is home and through the night. ENERGY STAR qualified thermostats come with four pre-programmed temperature settings for typical weekday and weekend routines.
If you have a heat pump, you may require a special programmable thermostat to maximize your energy savings year-round. Talk to your retailer or contractor for details before selecting your thermostat.