HVAC 101

In a two-stage cooling system, a multi-speed compressor is employed. When the thermostat signals a high cooling demand, the compressor and circulating fan operate at 100% capacity, with the indoor fan set to high speed as designated by the furnace or air handler. Conversely, a low cooling demand from the thermostat leads to a 35% speed reduction for both the compressor and the indoor unit circulating fan. This two-stage approach typically involves prolonged operation at low speed, effectively extracting more moisture from the structure. As a result, it enhances comfort and consumes less electricity compared to single-stage systems.

Variable-speed cooling, and in the case of heat pump models, heating, relies on a variable-speed compressor to deliver superior cooling performance. This can lead to significantly reduced energy costs and enhanced indoor comfort when compared to heat pumps equipped with a single-stage compressor. Goodman inverter models showcase the Daikin Inside™ compressor and control technology, enabling advanced diagnostics and optimal performance routines. This technology, utilized in over 30 million Daikin brand units worldwide, underscores the reliability and efficiency of Goodman inverter models.

An energy-efficient gas furnace, equipped with a modulating gas valve and variable-speed blower, delivers exceptional and cost-effective heating performance. In contrast to single-stage gas furnaces that function in an 'all ON' or 'all OFF' mode, a modulating, variable-speed gas furnace optimizes energy utilization by operating at the lowest achievable fan speed. This results in the production of precisely the required amount of heat to maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature in your home, promoting efficiency and cost savings.

In numerous scenarios, expecting a single thermostat to achieve ideal conditions for every room in your home is impractical. What may be comfortable for the sleeping area might not be suitable for the living area, and vice versa. Zoning addresses this challenge by dividing your home into areas with shared heating and cooling needs, employing additional thermostats and zone dampers installed in the duct system. This approach provides the flexibility to avoid heating or cooling unoccupied areas, potentially leading to energy cost savings. A well-designed zoning system simplifies the process for you—just set the desired temperature in each zone, and the equipment along with zone dampers will manage the rest, ensuring personalized comfort.

AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, serving as a ratio to assess furnace efficiencies through the division of heat output by heat input. This metric quantifies the effectiveness with which a furnace consumes fuel, whether it be gas or oil, to generate heat. A higher AFUE rate correlates with increased furnace efficiency, resulting in reduced fuel costs. Furnaces produced in the United States are mandated to possess a minimum AFUE of 80%.

HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, is a metric that gauges the efficiency of a heat pump's heating operation. A higher HSPF signifies superior heating performance for a heat pump. In the United States, newly manufactured units typically come with HSPF ratings ranging from 7.0 to 9.4.

The AHRI directory compiles rated values for air conditioners and heat pumps, offering insights into the performance of "split systems," comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, when paired together. This provides a more accurate assessment of the equipment you are contemplating for your home. For detailed definitions of EER, SEER, and HSPF, which are the most commonly used measures of a unit's efficiency, please refer to this link. It's important to note that AHRI data encompass information for all models currently available for sale, including those actively in production and those no longer in production but still accessible in the market.

Due to a range of factors, not every combination of outdoor and indoor units in split systems will function effectively. Our engineering team dedicates considerable effort to ensuring that the pairings we certify for performance are meticulously tested and verified to work seamlessly in your home.

AHRI, or the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, stands as the acronym for a trade association that represents manufacturers of heating, cooling, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment. Recognized globally, AHRI serves as a prominent industry advocate and is responsible for establishing standards and certifying the performance of various products, including those offered by Goodman. In the context of air conditioners or heat pumps, an AHRI-certified system validates the performance ratings of specific combinations of outdoor units, indoor units, and/or furnaces, all documented in the AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance. AHRI's voluntary certification programs involve third-party laboratory testing to verify these performance ratings. The certified ratings for such combinations are documented in the AHRI Certificate of Product Ratings.