heat an air operation

[eepete]

If you go with the 5 ton unit, I think you must be sure it has a two speed compressor on it. The vast majority of the time it will be running at the lower speed. This will also help with humidity control when cooling.

It's hard to know who to listen to and believe when dealing with all the trades. With this size unit, putting your foot down and requiring a two speed compressor helps to hedge your bet.

Pete

 

[BobRip]

If you go with the 5 ton unit, I think you must be sure it has a two speed compressor on it. The vast majority of the time it will be running at the lower speed. This will also help with humidity control when cooling.

It's hard to know who to listen to and believe when dealing with all the trades. With this size unit, putting your foot down and requiring a two speed compressor helps to hedge your bet.

Pete

I have a two speed compressor with variable speed fan in my house. It rarely goes to high speed during cooling except when I change to a lower temperature. The two speed aids in de-humidification. My cooling cost for a hot summer month run about $20. The house is ICF and well insulated.
Without two speeds, the humidity would be very high except on really hot days.

 

[Sigarms]

Without two speeds, the humidity would be very high except on really hot days.

Although a two stage compressor helps with dehumidification, just as important (if not more) is having a variable speed air handler which can reduce the airflow across your coil.

I'm a big proponent of variable speed, but any major brand HVAC manufacturer will tell you that you sell 2 stage equipment on comfort, NOT on return on investment.

That said, if dehumidifcation is what really is important to you, a 13 SEER variable speed system with a whole house dehumidifier will remove more moisture than an 18 SEER 2 stage system (less overall cost as well, but in the humid months, the dehumidifier pulling 14 amps will not save you more on your energy bill compared to the 16 or 18 SEER system). But then the question is, what would a 16 or 18 SEER system cost compared to the 13 SEER system with dehumidifier? Usually MUCH more.

 

[BobRip]

Although a two stage compressor helps with dehumidification, just as important (if not more) is having a variable speed air handler which can reduce the airflow across your coil.
.

You're right. My system has a variable speed air handler as well. It stays in low speed most of the time. My house is so well insulated that without the advanced system it would have terrible humidity control.