Do you need a special thermostat for a two-stage furnace?

The short and simple answer is no, yet it comes with a few caveats. Although a regular thermostat will work with a 2-stage furnace, there are different factors to consider. Read on for information that could help you decide whether it is worth it to keep an existing thermostat for your 2-stage furnace or to upgrade.

What type of thermostat is needed for a two stage furnace?

Normally a two stage furnace would require a four or five wire thermostat, and the thermostat would control the call for heat, by mode and stage.

What is the difference between single-stage and two stage thermostat?

Single-stage heating requires only a fixed gas valve and a single-speed blower motor. While these get the job done, they allow the furnace to run at only one speed. This kind of furnace is either on or off. Two-stage heating requires a two-stage gas valve and a variable-speed blower motor.

How many wires do you need for a two stage thermostat?

Most 2 stage thermostats would require a W2 and common wire and would need at least 6 wires. There are controls that only require 2 wires to the thermostat, but require an additional module installed at the furnace to make things work.

Can you use a single-stage thermostat on a 2 stage furnace?

Can you use a single-state thermostat on a 2-stage furnace? What is this? Yes, you can use it on a 2-stage furnace with a caveat. 2-stage furnaces normally have control boards that can be adjusted to work with a single-stage or a 2-stage thermostat.

2 Stage Thermostat Wiring For Nest

What does Stage 2 mean on a thermostat?

What is meant by Stage Two heating? When the thermostat on a dual-stage furnace reads “Stage 2,” it implies that the furnace is operating at the higher setting, giving you 100 percent of its capacity. Usually, the lower setting of a dual-stage furnace is sufficient to provide household comfort almost 80% of the time.

Does a 2 stage furnace use more electricity?

For two-stage designs, the DOE test procedure consistently shows a reduction in energy consumption by about 3% compared to single-stage furnaces at the same AFUE level. In contrast, the 2006 AHRAE test procedure shows almost no difference in the total energy consumption at the same efficiency level.

Does I need a special thermostat for a variable speed furnace?

Typically, a variable speed blower fan automatically adjusts as needed to keep temperatures within one or two degrees of the thermostat settings. However, you may need to use the thermostat to adjust fan speeds as needed for comfort, and for that you'll need a particular thermostat.

Do I need a single-stage or two-stage furnace?

If your home contains two or more levels, a two-stage furnace will be able to warm it much more evenly than a single-stage furnace--and for less money. If you plan to stay in your home long-term and are suffering from high heating costs, you'll have the opportunity to reap the benefits of this updated furnace design.

Which is better single or 2 stage furnace?

The ability to switch between two power modes makes two-stage furnaces more energy-efficient than their single-stage counterparts. The low power mode allows the unit to conserve energy as well as reduce temperature fluctuations and uneven heating in your home.

Is ecobee compatible with 2 stage furnace?

ecobee thermostats only support up to two stages of heating and cooling. If you see a wire connected to your current thermostat's W3 or Y3 terminals, we recommend booking a pro near you to install your ecobee.

What are the advantages of a two-stage furnace?

Two-stage furnaces are able to produce more even heat distribution by using two levels of heat output. This allows the furnace to use technology to determine what level of heat output is needed for the current situation. These settings would include high for extreme cold and low for milder days.

How often should a 2 stage furnace cycle?

Have you ever wondered, "How often should my furnace cycle?" There's no set answer. On average, furnaces should kick on and off anywhere from 3-8 times per hour. However, if your furnace does so more frequently, don't assume it's short cycling just yet.

Are two-stage furnaces more comfortable?

While percentages vary, a 2-stage furnace will start out at 50%-75% of capacity and then bring on the remaining heating capacity if needed to achieve the desired temperature. The reduced capacity creates a more comfortable environment that heats the home evenly.

What is a 2 stage HVAC system?

Two-stage cooling means the air conditioner or heat pump has a compressor with two levels of operation: high for hot summer days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household-cooling demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and produces more even temperatures.

Does a 2 stage furnace use less gas?

Two-stage furnaces cost more to purchase and install than traditional models. But factoring in their 20-25 percent fuel efficiency advantage, and assuming a normal lifespan of about 20 years, the extra cost will be more than erased by the cumulative energy savings.

What is the most reliable furnace brand?

Is Nest thermostat 2-stage?

The 2nd and 3rd generation Nest Learning Thermostats support up to three stages of heating and two stages of cooling for conventional systems, and two stages of heating and cooling with auxiliary heat for heat pumps.

How does a Goodman 2-stage furnace work?

Two-Stage Gas Furnace: A two-stage gas furnace has a high and low setting on the gas burner. This feature allows for two levels of operation depending on your heating needs — full gas flow for when the demand for more heat is needed or a lower flow for milder days.