If you’ve been looking into a ducted heat pump or ductless mini-split upgrade for your California home, you may have come across the terms “variable speed” or “variable capacity” or “inverter-driven variable speed compressor.” What is different about variable speed heat pumps than regular heat pumps and are they worth it?
Today we’re going to break down what heat pumps with variable speed compressors do differently from single speed compressors, how your home can benefit, and how to find a qualified contractor who will install one in your California home.
What Is a Variable Speed Compressor Heat Pump?
The compressor in an air conditioner or a heat pump helps move refrigerant through your system. This refrigerant is what absorbs and moves heat in and out of your home, making you comfortable year-round.
In a heat pump that only has a single speed compressor, your system is working at full capacity and power any time that it’s on. This is kind of like stomping on the gas pedal to the floor anytime you want your car to move—it’ll get you where you need to go, but it’s not the most efficient way to drive, and you’re likely to see lower gas mileage and more frequent repairs.
Variable speed or variable capacity compressor heat pumps have the ability to adjust their operating power, reacting to both your thermostat settings and the outdoor temperature to find the optimum setting that maximizes efficiency without sacrificing comfort.
What Are the Benefits of a Variable Speed Compressor Heat Pump?
Inverter-driven variable speed compressor heat pumps have a number of benefits, especially when paired with a variable speed motor fan, including:
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Great energy efficiency
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Less energy waste
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Lower heating and cooling bills
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Fewer repairs (with proper maintenance!)
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Avoid noticeable indoor temperature swings
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Better control over indoor humidity levels
How to Find a Qualified California Heat Pump Contractor Near You
The type of heating and cooling system you install is important, but don’t forget about the quality of the installation and the contractor you work with! If you’re working on home electrification upgrades and want to make sure you get the most out of your new equipment, you need to find a vetted, experienced contractor to help.
With the Clean Energy Connection, finding that contractor is easy. Our free online directory is easy to filter by location, services, rebates, and more, getting you on the path to a more energy efficient home sooner with a local California company you’ll be happy you hired.
As a homeowner, you may be asking yourself how you can improve your home’s heating and cooling systems so they run optimally and last for as long as possible. There are a few different options when it comes to compressors in your HVAC unit.
To find out which option could work for your systems, you’ll need to know:
- How a two-stage compressor and a variable-speed compressor work
- The pros and cons of each system so you make an informed buying decision
How Two-Stage Compressors Work: Pros & Cons
A two-stage compressor is a single unit that houses two compressors offering two different speeds or stages of air conditioning:
- High speed for any type of severe weather
- Low speed for calmer weather and more moderate temperatures
A major benefit of two-stage compressors is that they have the versatility to handle mild to extreme weather. Some other pros associated with two-stage compressor include that they:
- Provide greater comfort and efficiency, when compared to a single-stage compressor
- Are energy efficient because they can handle almost any temperature with the low speed, meaning they turn on and off less often
- Remove moisture from the air, which is perfect for the more humid regions
On the downside, a con associated with two-stage compressors is that they can be expensive to repair or replace if they break down and are no longer under warranty.
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A variable speed compressor, which may also be called an inverter compressor or an inverter-driven compressor, houses a driven compressor that only pumps out what you need. It does this by ramping up or down in small increments to achieve the desired temperature.
Some major pros of variable speed compressors include that they:
- Are extremely energy-efficient because they are only producing what you need and they don’t frequently cycle on and off
- Offer precise temperature and humidity control without the need to keep adjusting settings
- Are highly effective at automatically adjusting to more extreme temperature fluctuations
The primary con of variable speed compressors is that the investment may not always be worth it in areas that don’t experience the extreme temperature spikes.
