The technology behind air conditioning and heating is always advancing. One of the main goals of new HVAC research is to find ways to increase the energy efficiency of systems. Energy savings are not only an important way for homeowners and business owners to save money, but they benefit the environment as well.
The ECM Motor
One of the major improvements for air conditioners and furnaces is something called an ECM motor, also referred to as a variable speed motor. The letters ECM stand for electronically commutated motor, which might sound a bit complex to understand. In the simplest terms, an ECM motor lowers the total electrical consumption of an AC or furnace and helps to maintain proper air flow through the system.
ECM motors contain a microprocessor, which is the key component of what makes them able to provide higher efficiency. This microprocessor controls the motor in order to regulate air flow. The rotations per minute of the motor will either ramp up or ramp down in order to keep the air flow steady. This allows for an air conditioner and heater to work at maximum efficiency: rather than the motor running the fan at the same constant high rate, it modulates to adjust for conditions, sometimes running at lower speeds and using less power than full load. On top of this significant way of saving energy, an ECM motor uses less wattage than a standard motor.
If you’re looking for new HVAC installation for your home, we strongly recommend that you pick a system with variable speed motors. Ask you installer about the option available for ECM motors.
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