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
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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.