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HVAC Review: the Benefits of Variable Speed Technology

Whether the calendar indicates intense August heat or an approaching winter chill, your HVAC system needs to provide as much comfort as possible. It must also work efficiently, saving you the time and money it would take to repair or replace the system. There are several ways to ensure your HVAC system works optimally, and one of the best is the variable speed motor.

What Is A Variable Speed Motor?

As its name implies, a variable speed motor can run at any level between zero RPM and maximum speed. This allows you to heat or cool your home as much as you want, rather than relying on a single speed motor that starts or shuts down arbitrarily. Additionally, variable speed motors have an advantage over multi-speed ones. While multi-speed motors only operate on levels 1, 2, or 3 (low, medium, or high), a variable speed motor will operate to your exact specifications. The speed, temperature, and volume of the air is more dependent on what you want it to be.

Is A Variable Speed Motor Environmentally Friendly?

Yes; in fact, this is one reason variable speed motors are so popular. Despite our four distinct seasons, the weather can change incrementally every day. For example, the calendar might say it’s mid-September, but your house may feel slightly warm. If you run the air conditioning, you’ll only need to remove a small amount of heat from your house. A variable speed motor can remove the heat without wasting electricity and increasing your energy bills.

The circuitry in a variable speed motor is some of the most environmentally friendly available. With a variable speed motor, your HVAC system’s circuit board constantly communicates with compressors, blowers, and coils. Even after the motor is turned off, the circuit board will tell the blower to blow a little more air across your house until every bit of heat or cold has been used. Thus, your house will remain at the perfect temperature for longer. You won’t have to adjust the system as much, thereby saving energy.

How does VST Affect Air Quality?

Air quality is a big concern for most home and business owners. A variable speed motor is more likely to keep your indoor air clean and breathable. The fan on a variable speed motor continually “washes” the air, filtering out allergens like dust or pollen. As long as your HVAC system has a high quality filter, it won’t circulate these harmful substances back into the air.

Additionally, an HVAC system with a variable speed motor is able to clean more cubic feet of air more quickly than many standalone air cleaners. Standalone air cleaners are fine, but some of them only clean about 25-50 cubic feet of air per minute. In contrast, an HVAC system with a variable speed motor could clean about 1200 cubic feet per minute. Even with the motor on low, the air can be cleaned at a rate of 250 cubic feet per minute. That’s more than ten times the capability of some standalone air cleaners.

If you’d like to learn more about the variable speed motor or have other HVAC questions, contact Air Quality Heating & Air Conditioning online or via phone. We look forward to working with you.

Matt Farber: