Two stage electrical efficiency?

[thesober]

I have read through a bunch of post and im thinking that with a two stage, you will use more electricity.

If it the furnace runs low for longer periods of time, wouldnt the motor be running for longer too?, Wouldnt this use more electricity than a single stage, which fully shuts off when it hits it mark?

Is my thinking wrong?

[mayguy]

It depends on the blower motor...

If it has a standard PSC motor, then in a way, yes it will use more.(if you don't run your fan 24/7)

If it has a DC Variable speed motor, then no..


Overall, for a two stage system, you are paying for COMFORT. :-)

[docholiday]

Originally posted by thesober
I have read through a bunch of post and im thinking that with a two stage, you will use more electricity.

If it the furnace runs low for longer periods of time, wouldnt the motor be running for longer too?, Wouldnt this use more electricity than a single stage, which fully shuts off when it hits it mark?

Is my thinking wrong?

It runs longer but at a lower speed, thus lower watts. I imagine it would end up a wash. I wouldnt consider 2 stage to be better or worse money wise, but the added comfort has to be worth something as Mayguy so elequently pointed out.