Quote:
Originally Posted by jrref
What I'm saying is right now, with all the rebates and tax credits, if you take into account the energy savings even on the low end of $50/month over 10 years, the cost for a variable speed unit will be the same or close to the basic single stage units, enough to pay for the additional cost of a better unit meaning, better air purification, better humidity and temperature control and quiteness. When you go to the Carrier web site and look under tax credits, they are only for the Infinity and most of the high efficiency mini-split systems meaning there are some conditions on which units qualify for the federal tax credit. There may be other conditions for other manufacturers.
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I agree that speed control is preferable for energy efficient humidity control. Fan speed slows for increase in dehumidification. Hopefully the new controllers are sophisticated enough so that reheat is rarely required. That being said, a very well insulated home will do ok on humidity with a single stage compressor.
Another advantage of a variable speed is that the motor will last much longer since it will no longer experience the thousands of across the line starts which results in large spikes in current flow every time it starts. Also on average the running current will be lower. Of course it will be on longer but net stress on the motor will be far less.
Downside is that there are more components to fail, primarily the variable speed controller but that will be much much easier to replace than a compressor.