$49 / month O.A.C Including Install
$49 / month O.A.C Including Install

PSC vs. ECM Motors: Know Their Differences

24 / 7 Emergency Service Available. Call Us Now: 1.844.894.6832


[BACK]
PSC vs. ECM Motors: Know Their Differences

Posted On: October 19, 2016

PSC vs. ECM Motors: Know Their Differences

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry uses a variety of motor technologies in its equipment. Historically, the two predominant motor types have been permanent split capacitor (PSC) single speed motors and electronically commutated motors (ECM) with variable-speed capability. HVAC professionals understand the key differences between these motor types. This article aims to share those differences to you today. 

PSC Motors 

For many years, PSC single-speed motor technology has been the standard in the HVAC industry. It represents the highest installed base. 

PSC motors are considered single-speed (speed refers to rate of rotational motion) because they have no internal controls that can be programmed automatically to vary the rotation of the motor over an operating range. In order to make PSC motors more flexible for various applications, speed taps are included to allow the mechanical contractor to manipulate the motor’s speed to ensure that the correct amount of airflow is delivered. There is, of course, a limit to the amount of static pressure the motor can handle, so it is important to keep in mind the optimal performance and safety. As static pressure increases, a PSC motor’s performance tends to drop off because it cannot adjust torque or speed. 

Because of its design, there are some disadvantages intrinsic in PSC motors. They are less efficient than other motors because they consume more watts. They are not ideal for continuous fan operation because since they run close to full speed, they use more energy than what the function requires. This also makes them less attractive for other continuous filtration applications. They are also the least quiet among the motor technologies. They do not offer customized airflow patterns that are often critical when it comes to managing humidity. 
 


twintechchart-image

ECM Motors 

ECM variable speed motor technology is highly variable and is ideal for various advanced applications. 

ECM technology is based on a direct current (DC) design that is more efficient and it runs cooler than AC PSC motors. They are, in fact, approximately 80% efficient compared to the 60% efficiency rating of PSC designs. ECM motors are programmable. In the case of a failure, the control or the motor can be replaced without having to replace the entire unit. They are also designed to run over a wide range of speeds, making them ideal for delivering airflow in a multitude of system designs. They also draw the least amount of watts, making them the most efficient motor technology. They are also the quietest among the motor technologies since they have the ability to ramp up and down slowly, making them ideal for certain applications with noise concerns. 

When it comes to disadvantages, ECM variable-speed motors come at a premium cost. 

To see the difference in performance between the two types of motors, check out this chart:


 


dfd

*Chart data courtesy of: Biemayer, P., Lutz, J., & Lekov, A. (2004). Measurement of airflow in residential furnaces*




[BACK]

See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by Robert Rogers on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Very pleased with the professional service that TwinTech Heating and Cooling provided in replacing my furnace. I got several quotes from different service providers. Their price was excellent and they explained the features very well. We are very glad we went with TwinTech and highly recommend their services.

by Robert Mizuno on Twintech Heating and Cooling

We were new homeowners in need of a second opinion. TwinTech Heating & Cooling were Amazing and professional. Very knowledgeable and great service all around. Recommend to anyone looking for honest and reliable services. Treated with respect and care. Thank you Greg, Mitch and Bob!

by Ruth on Twintech Heating and Cooling

TwinTech is an excellent and honest company! I called them for a second opinion after being told by another company that I needed to replace my furnace. Turns out this was not the case at all! I did not need a new furnace. TwinTech did not push to make an unnecessary sale and saved me from a huge expense. Bob and Mitch were extremely professional and above all honest! I definitely recommend TwinTech!

by Anna Chin on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Amazing experience with TwinTech Heating & Cooling! Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and efficient from start to finish. They installed my new furnace quickly and left everything spotless. The technicians took the time to explain everything and made sure I was comfortable with the system before they left. Great customer service and fair pricing. I highly recommend them for anyone needing HVAC services!

by Connor Agnew on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Great experience all around. Bob was sharp and easy to talk to, and Greg handled the installation perfectly. Would hire them again in a heartbeat.

by Trevor Owens on Twintech Heating and Cooling

I returned from vacation to find my AC unit on the Fritz. After calling way too many places I connected with TwinTech. I’ve used the company in the past for my furnace so I was happy when I recognized Greg at my front door. He’s great and the service is always top notch. I’d highly recommend using twintech for honest, superior service in the Durham region. Thanks!

by Nicole Alain on Twintech Heating and Cooling

I called Twin Tech when my air conditioning stopped working. Greg came over to diagnose the issue - the same day. He was able to diagnose the issue and resolve it quite quickly. Although it was a quick fix, Greg was very thorough in explaining the issue and provided great advice. Not to mention, I felt very comfortable having Greg in my home - which I consider very important when hiring a service provider. Twin Tech will be my go-to from now on. Thank you!!

by Courtney Parkes on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Just hired TwinTech Heating & Cooling to do an A/C Unit removal & reinstall to allow for landscaping access on the side of my house, and they were wonderful!
Bob, Greg & Mitch make a great team! Quick appointment times, super knowledgeable, expert troubleshooting capabilities & very customer service oriented.
I would highly recommend them for all of your HVAC needs! Great job guys!!

by Jacqueline Graham on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Twintech Heating & Cooling installed my furnace in 2022 and in fall of 2023 installed my Panasonic Heat Pump. Greg and Mitch did a great job. Helped me through the rebate process. Super happy with the Heat Pump. Only used my furnace 5 times this winter. Energy bills lower, carbon emissions lower.Thank you Twintech. I recommend highly!

by Bill Grainger on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Just had a new furnace installed by Twintech. I can’t express how great these guys are at what they do. From the sales to installation they were professional all the way. Very reasonable pricing and courteous during the installation and willing to answer any questions I had. Highly recommended !!!

See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by Robert Rogers on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Very pleased with the professional service that TwinTech Heating and Cooling provided in replacing my furnace. I got several quotes from different service providers. Their price was excellent and they explained the features very well. We are very glad we went with TwinTech and highly recommend their services.

by Robert Mizuno on Twintech Heating and Cooling

We were new homeowners in need of a second opinion. TwinTech Heating & Cooling were Amazing and professional. Very knowledgeable and great service all around. Recommend to anyone looking for honest and reliable services. Treated with respect and care. Thank you Greg, Mitch and Bob!

by Ruth on Twintech Heating and Cooling

TwinTech is an excellent and honest company! I called them for a second opinion after being told by another company that I needed to replace my furnace. Turns out this was not the case at all! I did not need a new furnace. TwinTech did not push to make an unnecessary sale and saved me from a huge expense. Bob and Mitch were extremely professional and above all honest! I definitely recommend TwinTech!

by Anna Chin on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Amazing experience with TwinTech Heating & Cooling! Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and efficient from start to finish. They installed my new furnace quickly and left everything spotless. The technicians took the time to explain everything and made sure I was comfortable with the system before they left. Great customer service and fair pricing. I highly recommend them for anyone needing HVAC services!

by Connor Agnew on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Great experience all around. Bob was sharp and easy to talk to, and Greg handled the installation perfectly. Would hire them again in a heartbeat.

Is My Heat Pump Malfunctioning?

  • SUBMITTED BY:
  • TWINTECH HEATING & COOLING
  • - January 25, 2024

I can certainly help you troubleshoot common issues that may indicate a malfunction. Here are a few steps you can take to assess the situation: Check the Thermostat: Ensure that the thermostat is set to the appropriate temperature and mode (

Read More

Advice Need For This AC Issue

  • SUBMITTED BY:
  • TWINTECH HEATING & COOLING
  • - May 23, 2023

My AC stopped blowing cold air. The unit outside seems to be working. The fan is spinning but no cold air comes out. I'm calling someone to come take a look at it today but was curious if anyone knew what it could be and give me a heads

Read More

Is My AC Unit Defective?

  • SUBMITTED BY:
  • TWINTECH HEATING & COOLING
  • - April 17, 2024

If you suspect your AC unit is defective, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot before concluding it's faulty: Check the settings: Ensure that the thermostat is set to cool and the desired temperature is lower than the current roo

Read More

Improving Your Air Quality this Winter

  • SUBMITTED BY:
  • TWINTECH HEATING & COOLING
  • - January 28, 2018

As the winter season progresses and the temperature tumbles we seal ourselves off in our toasty homes and do what we can to ignore the snow and the ice outside. However, with the shutting of windows comes the higher possibility of a worsening air qua

Read More