Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
The same blower is used to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They also work with smart thermostats that allow for individual control.
Using a different brand of your furnace and AC could void the warranty on both units. Combining the two units can save time and money when it comes to maintenance and repairs.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely energy efficient, especially when they’re paired together. You can save a good amount on your monthly utility bills by selecting a natural gas furnace with an air conditioner that has SEER ratings. For the best efficiency results get a professional to do an estimate of the load for your home. This will help you decide the appropriate size and type of system that is appropriate for your home.
Furnaces produce heat by burning fuel using natural or propane gas. The steam is then circulated through ductwork, which warms the air inside your home. Then, during the summer, an air conditioner uses a refrigerant–generally a cool gas called freon–to evaporate into a liquid and cool the air that circulates through your home’s ducts. The two systems are similar to Goldilocks, working together to maintain your home’s temperature right.
If you want to increase your system’s energy efficiency even further, you should consider purchasing a brand new variable speed AC unit. This technology allows the air conditioner to operate at lower power which allows it to better extract moisture from air.
Heat pumps are a great option for homeowners in mild climates. They can provide heating and cooling without burning fuel. The units transfer heat out of your home into outside air, reducing the cost of energy and affecting the environment.
A hybrid system that combines a heat pump with traditional gas furnaces to provide back-up warmth during the coldest months–is another option. A new high efficiency heat pump uses the exact same technology to transfer warmth from one area of your home to another however, it has an additional gas furnace to provide backup in the coldest temperatures.
By replacing your old inefficient HVAC system with a brand new high-efficiency furnace and conditioner combo, you can reduce your energy bills by as much as 40%. For the greatest energy savings, be sure to install proper insulation, weatherization, and thermostat settings in conjunction with your new system.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is 15-30 years and an AC unit can last up to 15 years. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a part begins to age or suffers serious problems that compromise its efficiency. A homeowner is often forced to decide whether to replace their furnace or air conditioner when this occurs. While it may seem counterintuitive to purchase an HVAC system that is new when the old one is working well, it is often the best option for homeowners as they can save money on repairs and reduce their energy bills by investing in a modern HVAC system.
Installing and purchasing two new HVAC systems is expensive. However an air conditioner combination is less expensive. You will only have to maintain your system every year, instead of twice as often with separate units.
A high-efficiency system is yet another method to lower the cost of an air conditioner. Most modern gas furnaces come with an AFUE rating of at minimum 80 percent while the majority of AC units come with an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of up to 16 or more. This can save you money on your energy bills and will reduce your heating and cooling costs.
When you choose a furnace-AC combination from the same company, you will also enjoy an excellent energy efficiency because the two systems work well. However, if you choose to go with two different brands it is important to keep in mind that a combination that is not compatible will decrease their life span and performance.
Mismatched units could cause serious problems that can lead to dangerous refrigerant leaks and CO. These problems can also damage your HVAC system as well as your ductwork.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any kind of HVAC equipment. It’s important to know that the majority of manufacturers won’t honor their warranties if you mix and match their units. Choosing the same brand of furnace and air conditioner will ensure that the unit is installed correctly and is repaired to ensure that it performs at its best over its lifetime.
3. Convenience
When you opt to install a furnace and air conditioner, both HVAC systems are designed to work together seamlessly. The units have shared components, such as the blower fan that distributes temperature-controlled air through your home’s duct system and into rooms of your choice. You’ll save time and money by selecting the unit that is compatible with the other HVAC component. It will also help ensure that your existing and new components will work together perfectly without voiding one’s warranty or causing any other issues with the HVAC system.
Having a combination of a furnace and air conditioner in your home provides you with year round comfort. They can cool and heat your entire house, unlike window air conditioners which are only effective during the summer months and can lead to CO poisoning in winter. They are more reliable and durable than other heating and cooling systems.
A combination air conditioner and furnace unit can help you save on energy bills as well. A combination unit offers a higher SEER rating than conventional HVAC systems. This allows you to save more energy and also enjoy more convenience. It is possible to save money if you use a heatpump in conjunction with a gas or electric furnace, based on your energy costs.
If you’re thinking of buying your air conditioning and furnace through credit, you may want to consider a combo unit instead of two separate units. Buying two HVAC systems using credit has the effect of taking two hits to your credit report, which can affect your borrowing power for a long time. Your credit score will remain unaffected by purchasing an AC/heater unit with credit approval.
The procedure of replacing the furnace and AC unit is much less difficult when you use your existing ductwork. The replacement of both the air conditioner and furnace will require extensive ductwork that could be costly.
4. Versatility
A furnace AC combo is a fantastic option for those living in mild climates. It can heat your home efficiently in the winter and cool it in summer. Also called gas-electric systems, this type of HVAC system uses propane gas or natural gas to heat your home during the winter and electricity to cool it down in the summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner and furnace combo that can only function in one mode at a given time.
Air conditioners utilize a chemical called freon to cool your home. The AC unit is first compressed by the freon before it evaporates to circulate cool air throughout your home. It also absorbs heat in the air surrounding your home, which helps keep it cool. However, if your house isn’t well-insulated, the evaporation cycle could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This happens when the refrigerant or heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces make use of combustion to heat your home, but they are less efficient than air conditioners in terms of heating. They also have a harder to deal with cold temperatures than air conditioners. That’s why many people living in climates with moderate temperatures opt for an oil furnace and heat pump combination. This kind of HVAC system incorporates energy-efficient features of an oil furnace with the reliability of an oil stove.
When choosing the best AC/furnace combination, you must ensure that it’s sized correctly for your house. An HVAC professional can help you determine which HVAC system is suitable for your house. They’ll consider aspects like area, levels of humidity, and insulation.
A technician in heating and cooling will also help you determine the size of furnace and air conditioner you need. They’ll consider your heating and cooling requirements and any plans for future expansions to your home. They’ll also tell you what kinds of incentives and rebates are available to you.
Get three estimates from various contractors prior to purchasing an entirely new HVAC unit. Compare the prices and AFUE rating of each. Make sure you have a professional install of your HVAC system is required to protect your warranty.