Identifying Single Stage and Multistage Heating and Cooling Systems
Factors such as home size and region determine the HVAC system that a homeowner will have installed. If the system is already installed, you may have to take the thermostat off its base to look at the wiring terminals.
There are two types of heating and cooling systems:
They are mainly described as 0N-OFF systems which either run at full capacity (hot/ cold) or they fully in OFF state. Most of them constitute old HVAC models that serve smaller homes. They are the cheapest and easiest to install but highly inefficient in consumption.
How can they be identified?
Mostly comprise of systems used in new bigger homes. These 2- stage (most common), 3-stage and 4-stage systems allow home users to set desired temperatures. They are expensive to install but provide even room temperature. They have features such as room occupancy sensing and geofencing which all help to save energy.
How can they be identified?
Heating wires lead into terminals labeled W while cooling wires lead into terminals labeled Y.
Here are some popular smart thermostats.
For guidance on the selection of HVAC controllers including retrofitting old systems, please feel free to contact our HVAC experts.
More information on HVAC Systems is found on our Controls website.
- Single-stage systems
- Multi-stage systems
They are mainly described as 0N-OFF systems which either run at full capacity (hot/ cold) or they fully in OFF state. Most of them constitute old HVAC models that serve smaller homes. They are the cheapest and easiest to install but highly inefficient in consumption.
How can they be identified?
- Conventional systems will have a single wire for heating (W/W1 connector) and another one for cooling (Y/Y1) connector.
- Single-stage systems have a Y1 connector with a single wire for both heating and cooling.
Mostly comprise of systems used in new bigger homes. These 2- stage (most common), 3-stage and 4-stage systems allow home users to set desired temperatures. They are expensive to install but provide even room temperature. They have features such as room occupancy sensing and geofencing which all help to save energy.
How can they be identified?
Heating wires lead into terminals labeled W while cooling wires lead into terminals labeled Y.
- 2-stage conventional heating systems have wires going into W1 and W2/ W and W1 terminals
- 2-stage conventional cooling systems have wires going into Y1 and Y2/ Y and Y1 terminals
- 3-stage conventional heating systems have wires going into W1, W2, and W3/ W, W1, and W2 terminals
Here are some popular smart thermostats.
For guidance on the selection of HVAC controllers including retrofitting old systems, please feel free to contact our HVAC experts.
More information on HVAC Systems is found on our Controls website.
Related Articles
Geofencing in Smart Thermostats
Imagine the thought of getting home to a house that is cozy and serene after a boring or busy day at work, purely euphoric, right? The Geofencing feature in thermostats uses subscriber's phone location service (GPS) to modify thermostat's settings ...Radiant Heating Systems and Control
Radiant heating systems depend on radiant heat transfer. They supply heat directly to the floor or panels in the wall or ceiling. Advantages of radiant heat systems include the following: More efficient than forced air heating as it eliminates duct ...Compatibility of Trane Indoor/Outdoor Units with Trane Thermostats and Controls
Page of 1 Trane Comfort Controls ensure smart homes which have convenience when offering control. Smart Wi-Fi thermostats and controls can adjust temperature and humidity levels, turn on and off lights, lock and unlock doors and check your security ...Ion Zoning Systems and Control
Ion zoning systems have been designed for control and operation of select models of compatible fan coils, variable speed furnace and other hvac communicating equipment. Consider the image below for carrier's Ion Infinity zoning system with its ...Heat Pump Systems and Controls
A heat pump is a home heating and cooling system. They can pull heat from cold outside air and transfer it indoors during cooler months. During warmer months, it pulls heat out of indoor air to cool the house. Heat pumps do not burn fossil fuel like ...