Should I upgrade to a Variable Speed fan on my std HVAC unit?

by Connie
(Phoenix)

We are building retirement and hopefully last home. Trying to save money on upgrades (seems like everything is an upgrade). Should I upgrade to a variable speed fan on my standard HVAC unit? Research confirms it will save energy and thus money but is the $955.00 price tag worth it?

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starstarstarstarstar 		More than economics at stake
by: Anonymous

I've had a variable speed HVAC system for a year now and even if the system never paid for itself (probably almost has with tax and local rebates) I would still make the upgrade if you can afford it. The system is so quiet that I rarely hear it, and rather than fluctuations between cold, drafty, and hot, the house is kept nice and comfy all the time.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Variable speed fan
by: Joe

A variable speed fan will usually add another 1 seer to an existing AC system. The real savings is if you use some sort of a high effenciency type of air filtration device on your forced air system and use a continuous fan you can save about $200.00 per year over a standard blower motor.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Varable speed fan
by: Chester

Did a little more research and have learned an ECM (Varable speed motor) will save about 5 or 10 dollars per month (depending on electric rates) over a PSC (standard fan motor).

At that rate it will only take you 95 & 1/2 (assuming you run it every month)months to pay for it(That is using the higher figure of $10 savings) or almost 8 years.

$955 left in the bank with compound interest would be around $1200 in 8 years.

I would leave my money in the bank.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Variable Speed Fan
by: Chester

An additional $955.00 seems a little excessive to me, but I have been out of active service for a few years now.
Before I would make the decision to pay an extra amount such as this I would have to see facts and figures to show me the pay back. If you can break even within 3 or 4 years due to decreased utility cost it is likely a good investment. If the pay back in longer I would not spend the extra money because it is likely you will only get 5 or 6 years out of the motor.

I don't believe the variable speed motor can save you $955 in electric cost over the lifetime of the motor.

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