Air conditioners come in all shapes and sizes, allowing Arizonans a wide variety of options to cool their homes. One such option is the two-stage air conditioner. If you’ve been in the market for a new AC unit, you may have heard about these cooling systems. In this week’s article, we are going to explore how they are different from traditional air conditioners and if they are worth the extra cost. 

Two-Stage Vs Single-Stage

Traditional air conditioners, sometimes referred to as single-stage, are either full blast or off. It will run to bring your home down to the programmed temperature and then turn off once it has been reached. As the home heats up again, the AC will kick on again and the cycle repeats. Two-stage units have a medium and high setting. Depending on the model, the medium setting typically works at around 70% capacity while the high is 100%. The former is activated when there is a moderate demand for cooling and the latter when there is extremely hot weather for your HVAC to contend with. These two settings make it so the air conditioner has longer cooling cycles.

Advantages of Two-Stage Cooling

The upfront cost of a two-stage AC unit can be off-putting to homeowners, as it can be hundreds, if not thousands of dollars more expensive than its single-stage competitor. If you are on a tight budget, it may not be realistic for you to fork out the cash all at once. If you do have a little extra to spend and are able to make the investment, here are the three main benefits of this two-stage system:

• Consistent Temperature. Traditional air conditioners are all or nothing, meaning that it is common to experience peaks and valleys of cooling. Two stages maintain a more consistent temperature, resulting in a higher level of comfort. 
• Energy Efficiency. When it comes to HVAC systems, electricity usage peaks when it is turned on. Constant flipping on and off drives up power demand. Steady cooling, like what happens with a two-stage AC system, reduces energy consumption. 
• Money-Saving. The reduced load on your electrical system causes your HVAC system to experience less wear and tear. This typically means a longer lifespan and fewer repairs. That in itself can save you money over time. This also results in lower monthly utility bills. Additionally, higher SEER ratings could earn you rebates. Over the lifespan of the system, you could make back what you spent on it in the first place.  

 

Two-stage air conditioners certainly aren’t for everyone, but they do boast a greater level of comfort and higher energy efficiency than traditional units. With all of the AC models available on the market today, Arizonan homeowners have the opportunity to choose one that fits their home, budget, and needs. If you’re looking to upgrade your HVAC and maybe are wondering if a two-stage air conditioner is right for you, request a quote to speak to one of our friendly customer service representatives today!