How Does a Multi-Stage Air Conditioner Work?

When it comes time to replace your home’s air conditioning system, you will have several choices as to the type compressor your new unit is equipped with. There are standard single stage compressors, two-stage compressors and multi-stage compressors. What is the difference, and how does a multi-stage compressor work?

The good news about standard one-stage compressors is that they deliver 100-percent output. The bad news is they do it all the time. Most of the time, your home’s cooling load doesn’t require full compressor output, and it’s a waste of energy. A single stage compressor will either be running full-throttle, or it will not be running at all.

Two-stage systems feature two compressor speeds, with one often set at 60 to 70 percent of the maximum. Roughly 80 percent of the time, the system runs at the lower speed, but on the hottest days, it switches to a higher speed to beat the heat. Since they are usually running at a lower speed, they tend to run for long periods, minimizing the starts and stops that burn up energy.

Multistage compressors run nearly continuously at approximately 80-percent output in most conditions, automatically escalating to full output only when acute temperatures demand it.

A compressor operating at lower output consumes less electricity. In addition, multistage compressors run much longer “on” cycles than one-stage units, which cycle on and off more frequently. This also contributes to increased efficiency because single-stage compressors draw excess electricity each time they must restart after cycling off. Fewer “off” cycles and restarts means reduced energy consumption.

More continuous operation at lower output results in increased interior comfort. Temperature spikes in living spaces often occur during the “off” cycles of standard one-stage compressors. Because multistage units operate most of the time, these temperature gains are minimized, and climate control is more consistent. Humidity extraction, a critical comfort function of air conditioners, also is optimized by continuous operation at 80-percent output versus the frequent on/off cycles of full output, single-stage compressors.

When your AC system needs some TLC, give Shannon’s Heating and Cooling a call at 850-698-3101 , or email us at info@shannonshvac.com. Shannon’s Heating and Cooling is a licensed and insured HVAC contractor in serving Pensacola, FL and the surrounding area.

You also might be interested in

7 Day Spring Cleaning Checklist - Deep Clean In One Week Spring has finally arrived! Make sure you start the spring season off with a fresh, clean, and comfortable home. Getting your home ready for the new season might sound like…

Facts About Heat PumpsHeat pumps are the energy-efficient heating system for homes and businesses that might be keeping you warm this winter. Although you might’ve never thought twice about your heating system, heat pumps are extremely important for almost all…

Healthy Recipes - Avoid Winter Weight Gain As we emerge from the holiday season, it’s likely that you’re feeling it might be time for a diet! The holidays are filled with unhealthy habits including eating more sugary treats and other…

Prepare for Spring - Home and GardenSpring will be here before we know it! Blooming flowers, green grass, and warm sunshine are just around the corner. There are many things you can do now for your home and garden to…

To Do Around Pensacola It’s a great time of year to get outside and enjoy the wonderful scenery Pensacola has to offer. We love staying at home and enjoying a comfortable house, but sometimes getting out and exploring something new can…

Halloween Treats That Are ~Scary~ Good!Are you going into Halloween with plans for food that’ll take your guests’ breath away? Not literally… Plan out some Halloween treats that are ~scary~ good with this helpful blog!Monster MouthFor this creepy, yet adorable…

The #1 Choice for Pensacola Homes & BusinessesAs fall weather draws near, we need to start thinking about an efficient way to keep our homes and businesses warm for the cooler weather, even in Pensacola! Though Florida is known for…

5 Pet-Friendly Home Features You Can’t Live WithoutWhether you’re already a homeowner or you’re looking to buy, as a pet owner it’s important to consider pet-friendly home features. These are features you can easily add to your current home, or…

5 Habits of People With Extremely Clean HomesCleaning and organizing can sometimes be a real drag. We want the final results of a clean home, but don’t want to go through all the work it takes to get it there.…

Do High-Efficiency HVAC Systems Offer Better Humidity Control?High humidity levels coupled with high temperatures is what we all expect from a summer in Pensacola, and a home with these conditions inside is extremely uncomfortable! On top of that, your energy…