Your central AC has two main functions which include producing cool air and circulating it throughout your home as well as pushing treated air through your vent system using a fan. Most central AC systems have two fan settings which give you a trade-off between efficiency and comfort. However, if you want to get the best of both worlds, you can purchase an AC unit that has a variable speed blower.
The Nature of Air Handlers
Standard central AC systems give you an option to either set the fan to on or auto. Whenever the fan is turned on, it constantly blows air throughout your home irrespective of whether the unit is cooling air or not. This helps to keep the indoor air constantly filtered and fresh thus giving air quality a boost.
The disadvantage of this operation mode is that it runs up your utility bill. On the other hand, the auto setting only runs when the unit is on the cooling cycle. Inasmuch as this saves you energy, it also allows your air to become more stagnant.
Because of the need of a go-between that will give you both advantages without suffering any of the disadvantages, a variable speed blower was invented. This gives you access to fan speeds between the two extremes discussed above. The fan automatically ramps up its power or slows down depending on the indoor conditions. It gives the machine an advantage of both fan settings as well as other benefits.
Variable Fan Action
Variable speed fans allow you to combine energy efficiency with high indoor air quality. When the AC isn’t cooling, the fan slows down and saves you electricity. However, instead of shutting off completely, it keeps on blowing so that the air is circulated and filtered at all times. For people who suffer from allergies and other respiratory ailments, this can be a lifesaver.
The constant fan action can also help in keeping the air temperature consistent inside your home. This keeps away cold and hot spots. Also, the noise level is significantly lower compared to the case when the fans are on full blast all the time. This makes your home environment more amenable for relaxation.
When shopping for central AC systems that have variable AC blowers, chances are they will cost you a little bit more to purchase and install. However, these costs will in the long term be overrun by the benefits which include lower energy bills. Seeking professional HVAC advice before buying or installing variable speed blowers is recommended.
