Carrier Performance System Guide
2 Stage Carrier AC Unit Guide
A two-stage Carrier AC unit is a system that operates in two stages: stage one is typically used during milder weather, while stage two activates during extreme weather conditions. This design saves energy by operating at a lower speed when temperatures are comfortable. Lower speeds result in two benefits: reduced energy consumption and reduced temperature fluctuations, allowing the system to maintain a consistent indoor climate. Two-stage systems also are great at removing humidity from the air. When operating at a reduced speed for longer periods, the cycle time is reduced and the system can extract more moisture from the air.Â
Carrier HVAC Type
Gas
Gas systems use a straight-cool condenser with gas heating, these are the most common choice for residential homes because they have very effective heating. If your current setup includes a gas line, gas bill, or flue pipe, a two-stage Carrier gas system may be the best option for you. However, it’s important to note that these systems do come with higher installation costs because of the additional equipment needed for compliance with safety codes.
Heat Pump
Heat pumps are currently growing in popularity. While they are slightly more expensive than electric units, they offer the benefit of using the outdoor condenser for both heating and cooling. This makes them very efficient in regions with milder climates. The emergency heating, either from a gas furnace or heat kit is only activated when temperatures drop below a certain threshold. If this rarely happens, the heat pump can efficiently maintain comfortable indoor temperatures year-round with just the condenser handling both heating and cooling.
Electric
Electric heating systems are the least expensive of the three to install because they are simple and straightforward. Unlike gas systems, they don’t require extensive safety measures, and their equipment is relatively basic. However, because they use only electricity to heat the home, they consume a lot more energy, making them very inefficient.
Carrier Performance Sizing Guide
The way to size your system depends on several factors other than the square footage of the space. If you are looking for a general rule of thumb that only factors square footage, you can expect about 500sqft per ton when sizing your system. Things such as the age of the home, insulation type and foundation type all can increase or decrease the amount of sqft a ton of AC can cool. If you have a pier and beam home, you are looking at about 350sqft per ton, while a spray foam insulated home is 750sqft per ton. The age of the home also affects this number as well. Homes that are older tend to have higher heat loads and require more tonnage to cool the same amount of square feet.
- Homes built in 1950 to 1979 – 450sqft per tonÂ
- Homes built in 1980 to 1999 – 500sqft per ton
- Homes built in 2000 and up – 550sqft per ton
| Tonnage | SQFT |
|---|---|
| 1.5 Ton | 600 to 900 SQFT |
| 2 Ton | 900 to 1200 SQFT |
| 2.5 Ton | 1200 to 1500 SQFT |
| 3 Ton | 1500 to 1800 SQFT |
| 3.5 Ton | 1800 to 2100 SQFT |
| 4 Ton | 2100 to 2400 SQFT |
| 5 Ton | 2400 to 3000 SQFT |
Carrier Intelisense
Carrier’s InteliSense technology is introduced in the Performance series, this connects the customer, the contractor and HVAC system together. The system’s performance data and any error codes are stored in the Carrier ecobee thermostat. When something is wrong, the error codes are displayed on the thermostat, letting you know that a contractor visit may be required. This process guarantees quicker troubleshooting and service.
Servicing and Diagnosing
Benefits
IntelliSense directly benefits both you and your HVAC system. With real-time error logs, you can have your system serviced as soon as you receive a notification about any issues. This not only minimizes downtime but also helps prevent repairs from turning into replacements. By promptly addressing any problems, InteliSense increases your unit’s lifespan and ensures it operates efficiently throughout its lifetime.
Carrier Performance Efficiency Guide
Carrier Performance systems are very efficient and can have a SEER2 rating of up to 16.5 when properly matched. This line includes several Energy Star-certified models, which meet the efficiency guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These Energy Star requirements are more strict than the SEER2 standards and put into place to establish environmental responsibility through energy efficiency.
2 Stage vs 1 Stage
SEER2
SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, has been updated to SEER2. This was designed to measure HVAC performance more accurately than the original SEER rating. SEER2 was developed to provide a better representation of real-world energy efficiency by incorporating external static pressure conditions into its calculations. This stricter testing process often results in lower SEER2 ratings compared to SEER ratings, which in turn made manufacturers redesign their systems to comply with the new efficiency standards.
EER2
EER2 is an updated version of Energy Efficiency Ratio. The big change between EER and EER2 is that EER2 uses more accurate airflow resistance and external static pressure in its testing, which gives a more real-world performance result. EER2 provides an estimate of how a system will perform in a set temperature, typically 95°F. It is important to note that EER2 does not factor in seasonal variations like SEER2.
HSPF2
HSPF2 is an updated rating system that measures the efficiency of heat pumps. Similar to SEER2 and EER2, HSPF2 uses external static pressure to provide a more accurate representation of real-world performance. This gives a clearer understanding of a heat pump’s efficiency, particularly in colder climates. A higher HSPF2 rating indicates a more efficient system, as it produces more heat for the same amount of electricity consumed.
