Variable Speed AC vs Single Stage: Tyler Griffin Explains
A single-stage AC runs full blast or not at all. A variable-speed system ramps up and down to match the day, which evens out temperatures and pulls more moisture from the air. Which fits depends on your ducts and your house.
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What you’re seeing in this video
Tyler Griffin, owner of SwiftPro, sits on the back step of a wrapped SwiftPro van with the rear doors open and the parts shelves behind him. He takes on a question he hears a lot: how do I know what type of system to get?
He lays it out as low complexity versus high complexity, a single-stage air conditioner or heat pump on one end and a multi-speed or variable-speed heat pump on the other. Then he names what he looks at before recommending anything: the ductwork, the size of the home, how many levels and how many systems it has.
Between his lines, a tech in a black tank top runs a line set up a block wall inside a white cover, and brass flare connections get made at a ductless outdoor unit.
Job footageSwiftPro
Topic
AC Replacement
Length
1:02
Posted
July 24, 2025
Shot by
The SwiftPro crew, Northern Virginia
What they say on camera
So a lot of customers ask us, how do I know what type of system to get for my home? You know, do I need the Mercedes-Benz option, the one that's kind of pricey, but has all these complex features, or should I get something pretty basic like what I might have today? What we do when we come out to a home, and this is why we love to meet in person so we can explain it, is we explain the differences between your low complexity and high complexity, between your single stage air conditioner or heat pump and your multi-speed or variable speed heat pump. There is a lot of differences that can make a significant impact on the comfort level of your home for your family.
And so what we do when we come out is explain the differences, make recommendations based on the ductwork in your home, the size of your home, how many levels do you have, how many systems do you have. Each home has unique features, and that's why we love to come out and meet with you and better understand your goal so we can provide you with the right system for your home.
Why it matters in your house
Variable-speed equipment spends most of its day at low output. Long, gentle run times mean fewer swings between floors and drier air in a muggy Virginia summer.
Ductwork can cap what a high-end system delivers. Undersized or leaky ducts keep a variable-speed unit from settling into its efficient low speeds, which is why Tyler puts the ducts on his list first.
A two-story house on one system often fights a hot upstairs. That's where variable speed, or a second system, pays off more than in a one-level home.
Is a variable speed AC worth it?
Often, if you plan to stay a while and your ducts can handle it. You get steadier temperatures, better humidity control and lower running costs than single-stage. It costs more up front, so in a smaller one-level home with a short stay ahead, a good single-stage or two-stage system can be the smarter buy. Have the ducts checked before you decide.
SwiftPro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
4230 Lafayette Center Dr N, Chantilly, VA 20151
44679 Endicott Dr, Suite 211, Ashburn, VA 20147
Virginia Class A contractor license #2705192276