HVAC Buying Guide
for Phoenix Homeowners

Comfort Impact

Temperature Swings in Your Home

Set your thermostat to 72°. With a single stage system, your home cycles between 68° and 76° all day. Variable speed keeps you within a degree of your setting — continuously, not in cycles. The same principle applies to heating.

Heating follows the same pattern. A variable speed furnace holds within 1–2° of your set temperature instead of cycling through wide swings.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between single stage and variable speed HVAC?

A single stage system runs at 100% capacity every time it turns on — regardless of how much cooling or heating your home actually needs. A variable speed (modulating) system adjusts from 35–100%, running at lower capacity most of the time and only ramping up on peak days. The result: lower utility bills, more consistent temperatures, better humidity control, and quieter operation.

What SEER2 rating should I look for in Phoenix?

Arizona's climate means your AC runs hard for 5–6 months a year. We recommend a minimum of SEER2 15 for most homes. If you plan to stay more than 3–4 years, stepping up to SEER2 17–20+ typically pays for itself in utility savings. The higher the SEER2, the less you spend per hour of cooling.

Do I need a gas furnace or can I use a heat pump in Arizona?

Heat pumps work extremely well in Arizona's mild winters — temperatures rarely drop below freezing, which is exactly the range where heat pumps are most efficient. A heat pump eliminates the gas line requirement and can cut heating costs significantly. Gas furnaces still make sense if you have an existing gas line, prefer faster heat-up times, or want a lower upfront cost.

What does AFUE mean for a gas furnace?

AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is the percentage of the fuel you purchase that actually becomes heat in your home. An 80% AFUE furnace wastes 20 cents of every dollar spent on gas. A 96% AFUE furnace wastes only 4 cents. The difference compounds over a Phoenix heating season.

How important is humidity control in Phoenix?

Critically important — in two directions. During monsoon season (July–September), indoor humidity spikes and a variable speed system removes significantly more moisture, improving comfort and reducing mold risk. During dry winters, maintaining 30–50% indoor humidity makes the air feel warmer than it is, letting you set your thermostat lower. Every 4% increase in indoor humidity raises the 'feels like' temperature by 1°, saving approximately 4% on your heating bill.

What size HVAC system do I need?

Sizing is calculated from your home's square footage, insulation quality, window area, ceiling height, duct condition, and solar orientation — not square footage alone. An oversized system short-cycles (turns on and off too often), wears out faster, and leaves your home feeling humid. An undersized system runs constantly and can't keep up on extreme days. We perform a Manual J load calculation as part of our on-site diagnostic.

What is DeGeorge's Lowest Investment Guarantee?

If you find a comparable system installed by a licensed contractor for a lower price — with a written quote within 90 days of your installation — we refund the difference plus $250. No fine print.

How long does an HVAC replacement take?

Most full system replacements are completed in a single day — typically 6–10 hours depending on the system type and any ductwork involved. We pull the permit, coordinate the inspection, and haul away your old equipment.

What is included in every DeGeorge HVAC installation?

Every installation includes code compliance, all required permits and inspection coordination, old equipment disposal, and a WiFi smart thermostat. Labor warranty length, filter system, efficiency level, and surge protection vary by comfort tier.