New Variable Speed A/C units.
 

Anybody upgrade from a two stage A/C unit to a Variable Speed unit???

Did you notice reduced electric bills??

Did you notice a more comfortable environment??

There was another poster on this website who had been waiting 4 months for a replacement part for his fancy variable speed compressor.

The builder installs single stage compressors. That is what I have and my house is cool and quiet. If it fails, I am confident that Munn's can repair it in a day. To me, readily available parts are important.

Yes
 

Yes, and some are struggling to even get those parts when they have become more expensive because of tariffs and are more difficult to obtain.

The issue of getting parts for the newer variable speed units is something that's passed. Early on this was a problem but these days Variable speed units are common place. If you purchase a new home from the builder a varible speed unit is an option you can get. Many are now being installed because they are the most efficient, give you the best comfort and qualify for federal tax credits. That said, always go with a company who is certified with a specific manufacturer. For example, Sunshine is an authorized Carrier dealer who is large enough to stock parts and has trained staff and the equipment for all these newer systems where as a small company installer who might not have the resources to install and service these newer systems will most likely convince you to get another single stage heat pump because they are the cheapest and the easiest to work on but they will be the least efficient and cost you more money to run them in the long term. Don't be afraid of newer technology since at some point it will be common place. Who ever thought years ago we would have so many computers running our cars? If we didn't advance in auto technology we would still be driving 1965 Chevies that were simple and easy to fix but costly to operate in today's world. Same thing with most technologies.

I would point out that single stage compressor units will also qualify for the Federal tax credits, based on the SEER rating. A variable speed system will cost about 50 to 70 percent more than a single stage system. You will never recover that initial cost with electricity savings. As far as availability of parts, I think that there are so many Carrier single stage units in The Villages, that a large Carrier dealer can probably get the needed parts without even needing to order them. The poster who was waiting for 4 months needed a proprietary circuit board for a specific variable speed compressor. I doubt that any dealer would keep something like that in stock.

One other thing. When your house needs to be cooled, do you really want the compressor to run slower? Other than a possible humidity benefit, I want the compressor to run at full speed and cool down my house. Also, a variable speed compressor is only more efficient if it is programmed correctly, and serviced periodically.

Variable speed systems get a significant tax credit compared to any other system because single or multi-stage systems don't come close in efficiency. As far as keeping parts in stock, variable speed systems are so common place now that companies have to stock them. I know many like "simple" and that's fine but do some research on variable speed systems and you will see why they are better for both cooling and heating. They save a lot of money when we do need heat here in the Villages since the newer systems generate heat efficiently all the way down to 0 degrees and some even lower so at 30-40 degrees they are very efficient compared to what the builder gave us. Simple is a single stage unit no arguement. Multi stage is a nightmare and I wouldn't get one of those. Variable is relatively simple inverter technology that is pretty main stream these days and the cost will come down more over time as it already has.

You realize those mini split systems that everyone is installing are variable speed units with many of the same "fancy" parts. It's just variable speed main heatpumps are somewhat new and many don't understand the technology.

Those mini split systems initially had a lot of that "fancy" circuit board failures related to power surges. Now everyone comes with a surge protector to fix that issue. Same with newer variable speed heat pumps.

This was not a mini-split unit.

Are you saying that you get a different tax credit for a variable speed heat pump than for a single stage heat pump? I am not an expert on Federal tax credits, but it looks like you get a credit for 30 percent of the cost for either system as long as you have the proper SEER rating.

Yes you can get 30% up to $2,000 for a heat pump if it qualifies. The variable speed inverter systems we are talking about are the most efficient and are Energy Star and qualify. I'm not sure if a single stage carrier replacement system for example, will qualify. You will need to consult the company that provides it. Some multi-stage heat pumps may qualify as well. Sorry for the confusion but these credits are a little new to me as well.

I did find this:
Single-stage heat pumps are not eligible for the energy credit under the current tax code. The eligibility for the tax credit is based on the efficiency tier of the heat pump, and only those that meet or exceed the highest efficiency tier established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency are eligible. Therefore, single-stage heat pumps that do not meet these efficiency standards will not qualify for the energy credit
<<<<

If you want the tax credit, you can buy a single stage system that meets the SEER rating needed to qualify. The compressor has very little to do with it. The surface area of the metal fins in the condenser unit are the primary factor that determines the SEER. High SEER units are larger than lower SEER units.

Upgraded 2 years ago to a Carrier variable speed heat pump. I went from a one speed (100% or off. They call this a two speed unit, but one of the speeds is OFF!) to a 75 speed heat pump. (25% to 100% in 1% increments) The new unit qualified for a $2000 tax credit. We are saving between $30-$35 a month in electricity. On a purely monetary method it would be many years to pay off the difference in the purchase cost between the two units, but it is much, much quieter. The prior unit was outside our bedroom and we would hear it bang and boom all night. The new one we can’t hear most of the time. Since it can operate at lower speeds it is not just quieter but is also much more efficient in dehumidifying the house. The fact that it can operate at such low speeds means it also is quietly running for longer time intervals. This doesn’t add to the electricity cost as I’ve already said it saves us money each month. Since it runs longer the air temperature is more even throughout the house whether it is cooling or heating. No more hot or cold spots. My wife’s sewing room is no longer hot and our glassed in lanai stays near the house temperature. (Sliders open) We rarely turn the mini split on anymore. As you can tell, we love our new unit. I did get a 15 year warranty with it. Let’s see I’ll be 91 when that runs out!

My new carrier unit full of Chinese parts… probably like all rest of brands? So we just have to suffer for while…

Have variable speed fan. Personally feel that it is just another gimmick.

I just signed up for a Carrier Infinity system, 4 ton, 22 SEER. This system is a little newer and has 80 speed increments. With all the instant rebates from Carrier and Sunshine plus the $2,000 Federal Tax credit the price was reduced by $4,500 and the total cost included 10 year full parts and labor. I could have got the 15 year parts and labor as well. I figure 10 - 15 years from now there will be even newer technology and I can decide to upgrade again. The included labor is important since this system is more complex to get you the efficiency and everything is covered so nothing to worry about. If the compressor goes bad in the 10 year period Carrier gives you a new outdoor condensor unit vs repairing it. They also include the surge protector for the system which is critical in preventing all the failures these systems had in the past. The same was true for the mini splits that everyone is installing. All in writing. With all the discounts the cost of the variable speed unit was very close to the single and 2 stage system where it didn't make sense to go with any of those. Also, checked, and no parts issues anymore with the new variable speed units. Parts are in stock just like with the older systems. And you are right because its a variable speed inverter system no start capacitor to fail every 5 years or so. To get this kind of deal you will have to probably go with a larger HVAC company since the smaller companies may not have the capability to service these variable speed units yet. There are a huge amount of benefits to variable speed systems meaning variable fan and compressor. Significant electric savings. Not enough to recoup the cost but enough to lessen your overall load each month. Very even temperature throughout the home. Very controlled humidity. Since the system stays on longer your air is properly filtered so if you have allergies like I do that will help a lot. Super quiet as well. As far as it running at 100% to cool down your home quickly, it will do that since it runs to keep the temperature constant at whatever speed it needs after learning the specifics of your home. Think of it as instead of having a system that runs like a light switch, On then Off then On and Off again, this system based on the inside and outside temperature and humidity and how long it take to decrease and or increase the temperature based on your specific home will smoothly run at whatever speed it needs to keep the temperature and humidity constant. Another plus is whenever we need heat in the winter. Since the unit is designed to give heat down to I believe -12 degrees F, here in Florida when we get 25 to 35 degree weather for however long these systems are very efficient and the cost to heat your home if you need it will be dramatically less than with the systems that we have now which may turn On the auxillary heat if the heat pump can't keep up. That's 40Amps of power to run the auxillary heat. Not cheap. So at the end of the day, if you can time it to get all the rebates and tax credits for a little more money you can get a variable speed system and enjoy electricity savings and a more comfortable home.

I had one installed two years ago: a Daikin. In the garage it is the same size as what I had. Outside, it is only a third the size of the original unit.

In the house, it is very quiet and comfortable. The only noise is the sound of air coming out of the grates. In the garage, it is almost silent when working. Outside, the condenser unit is so quiet that I can whisper next to it while it’s working and be heard. If your old heat pump interfered with your outdoor entertainment, this is what you want.

A year after I got it, it stopped cooling. Turned out the Freon was low because of a leak in a valve in the evaporation unit in the garage. It seems it came that way. Rather than try to fix it, the company replaced the entire evaporation unit with its connectors. Took an hour.

These cost a lot more than the lowest cost units that come with our homes. (It’s not the highest efficiency model. That costs even more.) I doubt that it will ever pay for itself except in the pleasure of less noise and more comfort. I’d guess that this saves perhaps 15% of my total electric bill, but that runs between $100 a month and $150, depending on the season, and probably $50 of that is refrigerator, hot water, and electrical use.

Yes, yes

Curious to know the square footage of your home and the price of the variable speed unit. Can you share?

I had a high-end unit with variable fan speed in my unit just before I moved here. Fan outside failed, independent tech said you want to spend $1200 to replace that unit, or $350 for a fixed speed unit. 20 years old, it was a no brainer.

He told me the controls (like circuit boards) for these units are much many times more expensive also.
Replaced my TV unit last September. I opted for the highest rated (SEER) single stage, fixed speed unit. Got rebate; but not as much as a higher SEER.

Salesman started by pitching the high SEER units. Smiled when I asked if it would ever pay for itself, and came back to Earth.

You must be a distributor of variable speed systems

Staying in a house with a single speed system is the exact reason WHY I UPGRADED TO A VARIABLE SPEED SYSTEM.
I hated the single speed room gets hot, room gets cold, and unit was very humid.
Variable is the way to go, for comfort alone. All the other benefits are icing on the cake.

A variable speed system will cost more money initially and to maintain, and you will never recover the extra cost. It will not significantly improve the comfort or quietness of your house or the resale value. But, it will make the HVAC companies more profitable.

Yes we did. Our electric bills are normally $80 to $100 per month. Bought a Carrier with SEER of 19, variable speed. But highly recommend you require 10 to 12 year warranty (parts & labor). Munn’s was the only one to agree to this. It has much more complicated electronics, and substantially quieter due to the variable speed nature. Pay back for us is ~5years.

what was the cost?

4 tons, 22 SEER top of the line Carrier Infinity system, $13.5K all in.

$1000/year
 

I upgraded my house up north with a variable speed and it saved me $1000 a year over the original, builder-grade unit.

I also opted for the variable-speed unit when building my TV house and couldn’t be happier with its performance. House is cool and dry.

Samsung Minisplit
 

I had a Samsung minisplit in my shop building and after 5 years a circuit board failed. I figured no big deal. I swear I have my doubts if one existed on the planet! My HVAC guy recommended going with a Daikin to replace it and they required a hardwired surge protector at the service disconnect in order to maintain warranty. So far, so good after 3 years.
Variable speed systems do save energy but given the cost upfront, who knows for sure if the savings will catch up.

When you have to replace an infrastruture device like a HVAC system, refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc., you don't do it to get a return on investment on cost. It's something you have to have so you go out and get it. The question then is do I get the basic or upgraded device? Many are cost driven so they get the cheapest they can find. Others consider the convenience, better user experience, comfort, cost savings, etc., and may decide to get an upgraded unit. It's the same for the HVAC system. All the reliable companies operating here in the Villages always offer you the basic, mid-range and then the top of the line system. All have pros and cons. These companies know there are Villagers who will only want the cheapest replacement for whatever reason and there are those who want the most comfort now that most of us are in the last chapter of our lives which is hopefully a long chapter.
With the newer variable speed systems, when they first came out there were a lot of problems due to power surges and during the pandemic a shortage of chips which lead to a shortage of parts. Same was the case for the mini splits many are installing. They are just a different version of the variable speed heat pump. Now, when the system is installed they also install a surge protector at the outside condensor which has minimized these circuit boards from pre-maturely failing. No more chip shortage so no more part shortage.
Let's now address the new freon refrigerant. So, over the years freon has gone through an evolution getting replaced with new formulations to address the effects on the environment. Whether you agree or not, its just the way it is and has happened many times. As of 1/1/25, there was a new replacement yet again. The result was around a 5% increase in price for the newer systems which is expected to increase about the same amount each year for while for many reasons. But there is a silver lining. On the newer variable speed systems, along with the price increase there has been improvements in cooling and heating efficiencies for heat pumps. So, you pay a little more but may save on electric usage.

You also need to consider what's in our control and what's not. When we talk about efficiency and electric usage, many will downplay this aspect since there is no way to get a return on investment for cost paying for a more expensive machine. But we do know that electric rates continue to rise over time and there is nothing we can do about it so you may be kicking yourself for not getting a more efficient system down the road if rates continue to go up.

There are many reputable installers out there and they will all have their opinions so it's best to do the research, watch some Youtube videos, get educated, decide what you want because you will be living with it for a long time, then research and select the best installer to do the job. As I've mentioned, if you decide on the variable speed inverter system like a Carrier Infinity you may have to go with one of the larger HVAC companies that have the resourses, tools and training to install and maintain these newer systems. Eventually, eventhough they have been out for about 10 years, they will be more common place and all HVAC companies will be installing them. Finally, since these systems should last from 10-15 years you may also consider a company who you feel will still be around in this time frame if you have a labor warranty. Hope this helps.

Have a Variable speed Trane 4 ton installed 4 years ago. For the month of a very warm May our SECO bill that we just received online was $104.00.
We have a 2100 Square foot home. Back of house is a southern exposer with vaulted ceiling and large windows. We could not be happier that our bills are greatly reduced with this system.

Yes we replaced our 3.5 ton AC with a 4 ton dual speed unit. Our electric bill went down and the unit is super quiet.

2200 square foot designer with a 300 square foot enclosed lanai. (Total 2500 square feet. We do have a mini split on the lanai but rarely run it anymore. We leave sliders to the house open.) Cost after tax credit in the 14K range.

Be aware there are different tiers of HVAC companies. There is Premier, Mid-tier and builder grade. Premier is the best quality and the most expensive and Mid-tier in-between and builder grade the cheapest and worst quality. All will work well but the Premier systems statistically will last the longest with the least amount of problems. So, there will be differences in cost depending on the brand you choose and you usually get what you pay for.

2Stage air conditioner
 

We put one in in March. Love it! Temperature is so consistent, had it set on 75 in April perfect night and day. Quieter both my husband and I noticed how much nicer the temperature was in the house. Not sure about cost savings as we installed a heat pump for our pool the month before. We left for the North in May. Nice to have the thermostat on my phone to check the house temp. It is worth the upgrade.

I made an error in quoting the cost after subtracting the tax credit. The price was 12K.

We changed out our central ac a few years ago to an Airtemp unit that has a scroll compressor. They are very efficient. The old unit was a Trane with a rotary compressor. Our electric bill is half of what it was and the unit cools better. This is without the complications of a multi stage or variable system. The ac expert told me that the super high efficiency systems rarely achieve the rated seer and they are much more susceptible to break downs

Installed a Bosch 4ton variable unit last year. Installed a variable speed pool pump at the same time. Savings have averaged about $100 per month on Duke bill.

It kind of is a gimmick.
1000 watts of power is 3412 btu’s of heat transfer. I pay 11.2 cents per 1000 watts with Seco. Here is no way you will ever get your money back unless the unit lasts 25 years.
Electricity is SO cheap with Seco!

Yes we have a Bosch also ! BEST PURCHASE EVER

Comfort is the reason to go variable speed.

Poster #21 says otherwise.