Home Improvement : Special Motor Keeps Air on the Move
QUESTION: My house feels stuffy and I have allergies. I run my heat pump blower continuously so the air cleaner stays on, but it’s noisy and uses a lot of electricity. What’s the best way to get continuous air circulation?
ANSWER: Continuous air circulation keeps the blower running after your heat pump compressor or furnace burner shuts off. This keeps the air circulating through the whole-house air cleaner and maintains indoor humidity levels more constant. It also reduces the stale-air feeling.
Continuous air circulation can also reduce your utility bills. During the heating season, the warmest air ends up near the ceiling. By keeping the air circulating continuously, the warm air gets down where you can feel it. Also, since air is continuously circulating over the coils or heat exchanger, efficiency is improved.
Installing a new high-efficiency low/high-speed blower motor is the best way to get continuous air circulation. It is actually two totally separate motor windings inside the same motor housing--a “motor in a motor.”
These motors automatically switch to a very slow speed when the compressor shuts off. A low/high-speed motor is easy to install yourself because the electronic controls are built directly into the back of the motor.
At the slower speed (525 rpm) when the compressor shuts off, a low/high-speed blower motor uses only about 25% as much electricity as when it is on the normal higher speed (900 to 1,100 rpm). Depending on your area’s climate, switching to slower speed instead of staying in high speed can save more than $200 in electricity per year.
Another advantage of very-slow-speed continuous air circulation is the elimination of the constant draft. The air circulates slow enough that it is not noticeable. Also, when the compressor comes on and the blower switches to the normal high speed, the sound difference is much less noticeable.
You can also install a new, but more expensive, totally variable-speed ECM (electrically commutated motor). These types of motors are used in the new super-high-efficiency variable-speed heat pumps, air conditioners and gas furnaces.
If your current system needs to be replaced and you want the best comfort and efficiency, a variable-speed heat pump with continuous air circulation is worth considering. With super-high efficiencies, installing one can cut your heating and cooling electric costs as much as 40% with better comfort.
You can write to me at the address below for Utility Bills Update No. 029 showing names, addresses and telephone numbers of manufacturers of the new low/high-speed and variable-speed blower motors for continuous air circulation, and the new super-high-efficiency variable-speed blower heat pumps, air conditioners and gas furnaces, and product information and specifications. Please include $1 and a self-addressed stamped business-size envelope.
Continuous Circulation
Installation of a low high-speed blower motor in your heater cuts costs at low speed while the continuous circulation brings the warm air down to where you can feel it.
