Single-stage, two-stage, and variable-capacity AC

how will this system impact my energy bills so when you're upgrading your equipment any system that you get today will be an upgrade over your existing equipment so it will be more efficient period hands down full stop whenever you ask this question to your HVAC professional I think more of it is pulling at them seeing okay what efficiency standards do you guys actually feel comfortable installing and if they're not offering multiple different efficiency standards um I would I would have some other questions of why why they're not doing that because that kind of starts to scream that we have some other issues going on that maybe we're not confident in installing high efficiency equipment

they've got technology now to where a variable capacity whenever the compressor first comes on it may come on at 30% so it'll come on at 30% of the capacity and you of course the amp draws lower which means a lower electricity bill if it can cool your house to a temperature that that satisfies you going that way and then as the outside temperature goes up then it will go in 1% increments all the way up to 100% you know so as it comes on at 30 and need a little bit more coolant then they go 31 32 33 and it'll just slowly increment its way up to 100% capacity if it's needed and so that's kind of what the variable capacity system does

So, you've heard two-stage equipment. It has two stages. So, what it'll do is it will run uh during the shoulder season at 70% uh and then whenever it's really really hot outside, it'll it'll jump up to 100% capacity. Now, fun fact, two-stage equipment is kind of going away. They're still available. Um but manufacturers with high [music] efficiency and the cost of variable variable capacity equipment getting more uh competitive, it really doesn't make sense to do a two-stage system. And so because the prices of two-stage equipment and kind of your your your mid variable capacity systems are about the same. And so a lot of manufacturers are kind of going away with two-stage. Um they may still have [music] it, but as far as function and and energy savings and uh effectiveness, variable capacity makes a lot more sense.

uh typical questions that I receive from a lot of customers like well you know how much savings would I could I see on a new system uh compared to my old system and that varies so an average single stage equipment uh versus standard systems that were installed in 2008 you'll see anywhere from about a 40% in savings and then going all the way up to we're seeing close to 60% on the top end. We don't like talking about savings a ton because it depends on usage and usage is determined by the homeowner. So, um, if your ideal temperature is 74 degrees, uh, and someone else's ideal temperature is 70°, um, that's a big swing. So, it's really hard to talk about savings because people have different temperature preferences. But these are the general ideas of how much you'll save whenever you're buying a new air conditioning system.

So compared to a single stage system, your variable capacity systems are designed to run longer, but they use less electricity to run and operate. Also too, a lot of that plays into this role like, you know, how hot is it outside? So if it's 80° and rainy, you don't need that thing to be running at 100%. And so that variable capacity system will actually stay on that lower percentage and jump up as needed or as designed by that system. [Music]

The variable capacity system will do a better job staying within your set point throughout the entire of the day. So, we'll just say 8:00 to 8:00 through the night. So, during the heat of the day, as it's running and operating, this system will stay within about uh typically around a degree to 0.5° off of your ideal set point. The system will run longer. It will run throughout the day. It'll help whenever it's 80° outside. It's only going to be operating at a very, very low capacity cuz these systems will run from about 30% capacity to 100% capacity depending on demand. And so, if it's really, really hot outside, it'll jump up. It has the ability to jump up and get to that higher state, higher capacity to be able to cool your house down like you want it to. But, whenever it's during the shoulder seasons, so we're in Oklahoma, you know, gosh, we can have days that are around 85. We've got a lot of humidity cuz it may have rained recently, and so it'll stay on that lower that lower capacity uh saving on utilities, running longer, helping remove more humidity from the house. It'll also be a lot a lot quieter as well. And so, that's that's kind of your variable capacity system.

If the only reason you're buying a variable capacity system is based off the savings, don't do it. Because variable capacity systems, yes, they save money, but a lot of the the benefit of them comes in the form of comfort. And so, at the end of the day, the the savings is like it's icing on the cake. It it's going to definitely help pay for that system, but you're never going to comp the cost of it. [Music]

If you're watching this video, you're most likely someone who needs to purchase a new HVAC system and you're curious about variable capacity equipment, what that technology can do for you in your house. What are the pros and cons? So, better humidity control, better comfort in the house, better filtration, can help with indoor air quality, it's quieter. However, there are some cons with it too that need that need to be highly considered. So, cons would be the technology. really cool technology also harder to install. And so you want to make sure that you partner with a company that is trained in how to install that equipment. [Music]

If you're having to buy an HVAC system in 2026, variable capacity systems have become the reliable hero in a market where utility bills are fluctuating. And it is proving that it is a lifesaver whenever it comes to saving on utility bills, keeping the house more comfortable more consistently, and it can help you a lot better than often times the system that is most likely in your house now, especially if it's a single stage system. Doing a huge a big upgrade from a, you know, kind of single stage system, so like light switch to a variable capacity system where you've got a lot of stage you have 700 stages of capacity, it can help with your comfort level and help with your utility bills. I have a variable capacity system in my house and I absolutely love it. Your Rose. >> [singing] [music]

If you like spending time outside, uh if that unit sits right by your porch, you're trying to grill, you're trying to have a good time, uh you're having a picnic, whatever, the least favorite part about any picnic is hearing that air conditioner turn on really loud. It ruins the vibe. The operation decibel range for human conversation is about a 65 to 75 dB. A variable capacity system will operate on its lower stage anywhere about 50 50 to 55 dB.

and then now then we ramp up they've got technology now to where a variable capacity whenever the compressor first comes on it may come on at 30% and so it'll come on at 30% of the capacity and you of course the amp draws lower which means a lower electricity bill if it can cool your house to a temperature that that satisfies you going that way and then as the outside temperature goes up then it will go in 1% increments all the way up to 100% you know so as it comes on at 30 and need a little bit more coolant then they go 31 32 33 and it'll just slowly increment its way up to 100% capacity if it's needed and so that's kind of what the variable capacity system does so here's here's a question

Don't buy the upgrade. It solves someone else's problem or a solution that sounds like a fix-all because homes are built different. Your comfort needs are different. They're different from your neighbors. They're different from your friends, your family, whomever. Make sure that the problem you're trying to solve is solving your specific problem. And so, what you want to do is you want to do a full kind of diagnostic on your house and take stock of your complaints that you have on the system and whenever you're talking to an HVAC team, ask for full diagnostic and not just a product recommendation. You want to have a solution that fits your needs and your wants and you want to make sure that it's catered to your comfort cuz at the end of the day, your comfort is specific to you.

Here's how your air conditioner can save you money. Air conditioners operate at different efficiencies. There's single-stage, two-stage, and variable. Single-stage operates like a light switch. It's either on or it's off. So, whether the temperature outside is 100° or 75°, if your thermostat's calling for 70, it's going to operate at 100% capacity. Two-stage, however, works at 50% or 100%. So, on a 100° day, probably going to operate at 100%, but on a 75° day, it might operate at 50%. Variable capacity operates on different levels. So, you have 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% variability or capacity. And if it can satisfy that thermostat by operating at one of those lower capacities, it's going to do so. So, that's how your air conditioner can save you money during some of the hottest months in the summer.

I just read this New York Times article that says it's okay to let your AC run all day even if you're not home. And you know what? They are absolutely right in most cases. So if you have a single stage system onoff switch or it's either off or 100% on, I would still say that you need a programmable thermostat to kind of variable that set point a little bit to save the most energy. However, if you have a variable capacity, variable speed system, uh you're good to sit there and just let that thing limp along all day long. That way it's at the perfect set point no matter what time you might arrive at home. Also, Honeywell did a great job with these thermostats. But if you're still rocking one of these thermostats, give us a call. It's time to upgrade to the Yarro home thermostat.

The way I like to explain high efficiency versus standard efficiency is high efficiency is do you want to save money down the road? So it's going to help you save more on utilities. It's going to have a little bit more control as far as comfort is concerned inside the house and their standard efficiency which is like do you want to do you want to save money now? And so because the higher efficiency stuff is a little bit more expensive. Every system is going to get you from point it won't be you know how efficient how much money are you going to spend to get you to your ideal comfort level.