A cooling stage refers to a unit’s operational capacity to cool or heat. The stages include one, two, and variable speeds. Your unit’s cooling stages regulate the system’s temperature, maintenance requirements, energy preservation, and other factors related to its operation. Understanding the features of each can help you choose what system would best work for you.
To begin, single-staged systems are the simplest of all systems, having only two settings: on and off. Their operation has no in-between options; the system is either working at full capacity or is shut off. Essentially, once it reaches your desired temperature, the system will turn off again. It attempts regulation by monitoring when your home falls below the desired set temperature and then turns on at full capacity again when it goes above the set temperature. A common downside of single-speed systems is the lack of consistency; because it shuts off completely whenever the set temperature is met, there may be hot and cool spaces existing inside your home at the same time until it detects that the home isn’t at the desired temperature anymore. These systems are cost-friendly upfront and involve simple operation, but they do use more energy than other options, increasing your energy bill each month.
Moreover, a key difference the two-stage system has from the single-stage system is that it isn’t “all or nothing” in its operation. Two-stage units offer more variety with their high and low settings. The lower setting gives the option for the unit to function at a 60-65% capacity, while the higher setting is 100%. A key benefit of a two-speed system is accuracy in climate control, avoiding those random hot or cold spaces within your home. This accuracy makes it more energy-efficient than a single-speed system, as well. What may be considered as a negative attribute is the higher complexity of these units, as undergoing maintenance may take longer than that of a single-stage unit.
Lastly, variable-speed systems are viewed to be more advanced than both single and two-speed systems, as they adjust their cooling or heating capacity to the current needs of a certain space. These systems are not limited to just two settings, a variable-speed compressor and motor fan speeds precisely adapt themselves to the regulation of your home. Therefore, these systems have a better guarantee of more efficient climate control. However, the initial cost is more than single-speed and two-speed units.
Depending on factors such as home size, cost, and personal preference for temperature and humidity control, choosing the stage set for you can vary. If your home is smaller with fewer rooms, a single-stage system would not be an uncomfortable option. However, a larger home with multiple rooms would be best served with a variable speed unit due to its design which precisely keeps your home adjusted to the set temperature. It is more promising in terms of performance than a two-stage unit, but in considering factors such as cost, a two-speed unit may be what you prefer.
~Nevaonna Alfred