If the air handler in your home runs loudly or needs to be replaced, consider upgrading to a variable speed air handler. These air handlers differ from single-speed units in that they run at different speeds (depending on the fluctuating heating or cooling needs of your home), thereby offering significant advantages, including energy-efficiency, comfort, lower energy bills and indoor air quality.
- Energy efficiency — Because the motor runs more slowly, it doesn’t consume as much electricity, which cuts down on costs associated with conditioning your home. A variable speed air handler usually will run at slower speeds and only run on high when you have a high conditioning load.
- Noise reduction — They’re much quieter than their single-speed counterparts. Anyone who has a bedroom near the air handler will appreciate the reduced noise because of the slower startup and shutdown speeds, and everyone will notice less noise from the ductwork because air circulates through the registers at a lower velocity.
- Comfort — During the summer, the slower running speed helps the cooling system remove more humidity, which makes your home feel cooler.
- Indoor air quality — Because these systems run longer, they trap more airborne particulates in the air filter, which improves indoor air quality.
- Zoning-capable — The variable speed air handler makes it possible for you to use a zoning system in your home, a sensible way to condition larger homes or those whose spaces aren’t used continuously. Each zone has its own thermostat and ductwork dampers that open and close based on the conditioning needs. The air handler will adjust its speed based on how many zones require heating or cooling.
For more information about variable speed air handlers, contact the pros at Around the Clock Heating and Air Conditioning, serving the greater Los Angeles area for more than 50 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about variable speed air handlers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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