Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
The same blower is used to distribute conditioned indoor air throughout your home. They also work with smart thermostats to provide individualized control.
Using a different brand of your furnace and AC could invalidate your warranty on both units. The matching of two units can save you time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely efficient in energy use, particularly when they’re paired together. If you select gas furnaces that come with air conditioning unit that has an impressive SEER rating, you’ll be able to save a lot on your energy bills throughout the year. For the best efficiency results make sure you have a professional perform a load calculation for your home. This will help you determine the proper size and type of system that is appropriate for your home.
Furnaces generate heat by burning fuel with propane or natural gas. The steam is then circulated through ductwork to warm air in your house. 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 work like a Goldilocks power coupler, making sure that your home’s temperature is always just right, never too hot or cold.
If you want to increase your system’s energy efficiency even more, think about a new variable speed AC unit. This technology permits the air conditioner to operate at a lower power which lets it better extract moisture from air.
For homeowners living in mild climates A heat pump could provide the cooling and heating they need without burning fuel. The units transfer heat out of your home and into the outside air, reducing the energy cost and affecting the environment.
A hybrid system, which incorporates a heat pump with traditional gas furnaces to provide backup warmth during the coldest winter months is another option. A new high-efficiency heat pumps will use the same technology to transfer heat from one area of your home to the other, but with an added gas furnace to provide back-up in the coldest winter temperatures.
You can cut your energy costs for your home by up to 40% if you replace your old, inefficient HVAC system. For the greatest savings on energy, make sure to install insulation and weatherization as well as thermostat settings in conjunction with your new system.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is between 15 and 30 years, while an AC unit can last for 15 to 20 years. HVAC systems are typically replaced when a component begins to wear out or has serious issues that affect its efficiency. A homeowner is often forced to decide whether to replace their furnace or air conditioner when this occurs. While it might appear counterintuitive to buy an HVAC system that is new when your current one is operating well, it’s typically the best option for homeowners as they will reduce repair costs and lower their energy costs with a modern system.
The purchase and installation of two new HVAC systems could be expensive. A furnace and air conditioner combo is less costly however. In addition, you only have to maintain the system once per year instead of twice per year with separate units.
Another way to reduce the overall cost of a furnace and air conditioner combo is to opt for a high-efficiency unit. Modern gas furnaces typically come with an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at minimum 80%, and the majority of AC units come with SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or more. This will help you save on your energy bills and dramatically reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs.
If you select a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer and you’ll also benefit from an excellent energy efficiency because the two systems work well. If you decide to go with two different brands, it’s important to remember that a mix of brands will decrease their lifespan and performance.
Unmatched units can create serious problems that can cause CO and refrigerant leaks which can be dangerous for humans. These issues could also result in damage to your HVAC system as well as your ductwork.
A professional from Georgia Air Repair can perform accurate HVAC repairs on any kind of equipment. However, it’s important to know that the majority of manufacturers will not honor their warranties if you mix and match their units. Making sure you choose the same manufacturer for your furnace and air conditioning will ensure that your unit is installed correctly and maintained, and will offer the highest performance throughout its lifetime.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems can work seamlessly together when you install a furnace-air conditioner combination. 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. Choosing a unit that is specifically designed to operate well with your other HVAC component will save you time and money in the long run. It will also help ensure that your new and old components will work well without voiding either one’s warranty or causing any other issues with the HVAC system.
The presence of a furnace and air conditioning combo in your home will provide you with year round comfort. They can heat and cool the entire house, in contrast to window air conditioners which are only effective during summer and can cause CO poisoning in winter. They are more durable and reliable than other heating and cooling systems.
A combination air conditioner and furnace unit can help you save on energy costs too. While traditional HVAC systems have SEER ratings that range from 0 to 10, a combination unit has a higher SEER value and offers more energy savings and greater convenience. You could save money if you use a heatpump in conjunction with an electric or gas furnace, depending on the rates you pay for utilities.
If you’re planning on purchasing your air conditioner and furnace through a loan, you may think about a combination unit instead of two separate units. The purchase of two HVAC systems with credit has the effect of taking two marks on your credit report, which may negatively impact your borrowing power for years to come. Your credit score is not affected by buying one AC/heater combination unit with credit approval.
A combination of air conditioner and furnace will also allow you to utilize your existing ductwork, making the process much simpler than just replacing an AC unit or a brand new furnace. The cost of replacing both the air conditioning and furnace is often high.
4. Versatility
For those who live in climates with moderate temperatures, a furnace AC combo can be a great choice. It is able to efficiently heat your home in winter and cool it down in the summer. This type of HVAC, also known as gas-electric systems uses natural or propane to heat your home in the winter and electricity in the summer. This makes it more adaptable than an air conditioner and furnace combo that can only function in one mode at a time.
The chemical freon is used by air conditioners to cool your house. The AC unit is first compressed by the freon, which then evaporates to circulate cool air throughout your home. It also absorbs heat from the air surrounding your home, which helps keep it cool. If your home isn’t properly insulate, the process of evaporation could cause the air inside your home to lose its cooling capability. This happens when the refrigerant leaks or when the heat exchanger wears down.
Furnaces utilize combustion to heat your home, but they are less efficient than air conditioners when it comes to heating. They also have a tougher to deal with cold temperatures than air conditioners. This is why many people who live in mild climates opt for an oil furnace and heat pump combination. This kind of HVAC system combines energy-efficient features from a heatpump with the reliability of an oilstove.
To choose the right combination of AC and furnace, you need to ensure that it is right-sized for your home. A HVAC professional can help determine the HVAC system will work best for your home. They’ll consider factors like area, insulation, and the level of humidity.
A specialist in heating and cooling will also help you determine the proper size furnace and air conditioner you require. They’ll take into account your cooling and heating needs and any plans for future expansions to your home. They’ll also tell you what kinds of rebates and incentives are available to you.
Get three estimates from different contractors prior to purchasing an entirely new HVAC unit. Compare the costs and AFUE ratings of each. Don’t forget that an expert HVAC installation is necessary to ensure the warranty is protected and that your HVAC unit functions properly.