Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Furnace and air conditioner combination units use the same blower to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They can also be controlled via smart thermostats.
If you choose a different brand for your furnace and AC could void the warranty on both units. The matching of the two units can save time and cost on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern air conditioners and furnaces are energy efficient, especially when paired together. If you choose gas furnaces with an air conditioner with an impressive SEER rating, you’ll be able to save money on your energy bills throughout the year. A professional can calculate the load for your home to ensure the best results. This will help determine which size and kind of system is best for your space.
Furnaces produce heat by using natural or propane gas to ignite fuel to produce hot steam. The steam then circulates through ductwork and 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. These two systems are like Goldilocks working in tandem to maintain your home’s temperature right.
Consider a variable-speed AC unit if you wish to increase the energy efficiency of your system. This technology allows the air conditioner to run at lower power and allows it to better extract moisture from air.
For homeowners who live in mild climates, a heat pump can provide the cooling and heating they require without burning fuel. They transfer heat from the air in your home to the outdoor air, which cut down on energy costs and also reduces environmental impact.
Another option is a hybrid, which combines an electric heatpump with gas furnaces to provide back-up heating during the coldest months. A new high-efficiency heat pump makes use of exactly the same technology to transfer warmth from one area of your home to another however, it has the addition of a gas furnace for backup in the coldest temperatures.
You can cut your home’s energy bills by as much as 40% if you replace your old inefficient HVAC system. To maximize savings from your new HVAC system, make sure you have the proper insulation, weatherization and thermostat settings.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is 15-30 years, while an AC unit can last up to 15 years. In general an HVAC system is replaced when one part starts to show signs ageing or is suffering from serious issues that affect its efficiency. The homeowner will usually have to decide whether to replace their air conditioner or furnace when this occurs. Although it might appear counterintuitive to buy a new HVAC system when the old one is operating well, it’s often the most efficient option for homeowners because they can save money on repairs and lower their energy costs by investing in a modern HVAC system.
Installing and buying two HVAC systems new can be expensive. However, a furnace and air conditioner set-up is much less costly. In addition, you only have to maintain the unit once per year instead of twice a year for separate units.
Another way to lower the total cost of a furnace and air combination is to opt for a high-efficiency model. The majority of modern gas furnaces have an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at minimum 80%, whereas most AC units have a SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or higher. This will help you reduce your energy bills and significantly decrease your home heating and cooling costs.
If you choose a furnace and AC combo from the same manufacturer you’ll also enjoy excellent energy efficiency and longevity because the two systems cooperate well. However, if you go with two different brands it is important to keep in mind that a mismatched combination will reduce their life span and performance.
Mismatched units can cause serious problems that could cause leaks of refrigerant and CO which can be dangerous for humans. These problems can also cause damage to your HVAC system as well as your ductwork.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any kind of HVAC equipment. It’s important to remember that many manufacturers will not honor their warranty when you mix and match their units. Choosing the same brand of air conditioner and furnace will ensure that the unit is correctly installed and repaired, and will perform optimally throughout its life.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems seamlessly integrate when you install a furnace and 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 specifically designed to function with your other HVAC component will save your time and money in the long time. It will also help ensure that your new and old components will function perfectly without voiding one’s warranty or causing other issues with the HVAC system.
A furnace and air conditioner combo can provide you with comfort all year long. These units can cool and heat your entire home, unlike window air conditioners that are only effective in summer and can cause CO poisoning in winter. They are also more robust and reliable than other types of cooling and heating systems.
You will also reduce energy bills by making use of a furnace and air conditioner combination unit. While traditional HVAC systems come with SEER ratings that range from 0 to 10, a combo unit is more SEER-rated and offers more energy savings and convenience. You may be able save money by using an air conditioner in conjunction with a gas or electric furnace, based on the rates you pay for utilities.
If you’re planning on buying your air conditioning and furnace through a loan, you may want to consider a combo unit instead of two separate units. Buying two HVAC systems using credit has the result of taking two hits to your credit report, which may negatively impact your borrowing power for a long time. Your credit score is unaffected by the purchase of one AC/heater combination unit with credit approval.
The replacement of a furnace and AC unit is much easier using your existing ductwork. The cost of replacing both the furnace and air conditioning is often high.
4. Versatility
For those who live in climates with moderate temperatures, a furnace-AC combination can be a good option. It can efficiently heat your home during winter and cool it during summer. This type of HVAC system is also referred to as gas-electric systems, utilizes propane or natural gas to heat your home in the winter and electricity during summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner/furnace combo which can only function in one mode.
Air conditioners utilize an ingredient called freon in order to cool your home. The AC unit is first compressed by the freon before it evaporates to circulate cool air throughout your house. It also absorbs heat from the surrounding air and keeps your home cool. If your house isn’t adequately constructed, the process of evaporation could cause the air inside your home to lose its cooling capability. This occurs when the heat exchanger or refrigerant wears out.
Furnaces make use of combustion to heat your house however they are less efficient than air conditioners in terms of heating. Air conditioners are also less able to handle cold temperatures. Many people in mild climates choose to use a heat pump and oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC system incorporates energy-efficient features of heatpump and the reliability of an oil stove.
The key to choosing the best combination of AC and furnace is to ensure it’s sized correctly for your home. An HVAC professional can assist you to determine which HVAC system is the best for your home. They’ll take into consideration factors such as area, insulation, and humidity levels.
A technician with expertise in heating and cooling can assist you in determining the size furnace and air conditioner that you require. They’ll take into account your heating and cooling needs as well as any plans for expansion you may have for your home. They will also tell you what incentives and rebates you could receive.
Get three quotes from different contractors before you purchase the new HVAC unit. Then, compare the costs and AFUE ratings of each system. Don’t forget that an HVAC installation by a professional is crucial to guarantee your warranty and ensure that your HVAC unit works properly.
