Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
The same blower is used to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They also integrate with smart thermostats for individualized control.
If you use a different model of furnace and AC your warranty may be void for both units. Matching the two units saves time and money when it comes to repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern air conditioners and furnaces are energy efficient, particularly when used together. You can save a good amount on your monthly utility bills by choosing a gas heater and an air conditioner that has a SEER rating. For the most efficient efficiency make sure you have a professional perform a load calculation for your home. This will allow you to determine the appropriate size and type of system for your home.
Furnaces produce heat by using natural or propane gas to burn fuel to create hot steam. This steam then circulates through ductwork and warms the air in 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. Both systems are like Goldilocks and work together to keep your home’s temperature right.
Consider a variable-speed AC unit if you want to further increase the efficiency of your system. This technology allows the air conditioner to run on a lower power and allows it to better remove moisture from the air.
Heat pumps are a great option for homeowners in mild climates. They can provide heating and cooling without burning any fuel. These units transfer heat out of your home into outside air, which reduces the cost of energy and affecting the environment.
A hybrid system–which incorporates a heat pump with traditional gas furnaces to provide back-up warmth during the coldest months — is another option. A new high-efficiency heat pumps will use the same technology to transfer heat from one part of your house to the next and will be paired with a gas furnace to back up the heat during the coldest winter temperatures.
By replacing your old, inefficient HVAC system with a new high-efficiency furnace and conditioner combo, you can reduce your energy costs by up to 40 percent. To get the most energy savings from your new system, you must install the correct insulation, weatherization and thermostat settings.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace can be between 15 and 30 years, while an AC unit can last up to 15 years. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a component starts to age or suffers serious problems that compromise its performance. When this occurs, homeowners are often faced with the decision of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. Although it might appear counterintuitive to buy a new HVAC system when your old one is still operating well, it’s usually the most beneficial option for homeowners since they will reduce repair costs and cut their energy bills by investing in a modern HVAC system.
The purchase and installation of two new HVAC systems could be expensive. A combination of air conditioner and furnace is more affordable but it is more expensive. Plus, you will only have to maintain the system once a year instead of twice a year with separate units.
Another way to lower the total cost of a furnace as well as air conditioner combo is to opt for a high-efficiency unit. Modern gas furnaces are equipped with an AFUE rating of at minimum 80 percent while the majority of AC units have an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of 16 or more. This will save you money on your energy bills and reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs.
If you select a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer you’ll also benefit from high energy efficiency and longevity because the two systems work well. If you choose two brands, be aware that a mismatched combination can affect their performance and lifespan.
Incorrectly matched units can cause serious problems and result in dangerous refrigerant leaks and CO. These issues could also cause damage to your ductwork and reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any kind of HVAC equipment. It’s important to remember that the majority of manufacturers won’t guarantee their products when the units are mixed and mixed. Making sure you choose the same manufacturer for your air conditioner and furnace will ensure that the unit is correctly installed, repaired and will give you the best performance over its lifetime.
3. Convenience
If you decide to install a furnace as well as an air conditioner the HVAC systems are designed to work 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 choosing the unit that is compatible with the other HVAC component. This will ensure that your new and existing HVAC components work together without voiding warranties or causing any other damage to the system.
A furnace and air conditioner combo will give you peace of mind all year round. They can cool and heat your entire home, unlike window air conditioners, which are only effective in the summer months and can lead to CO poisoning in winter. They are more durable and reliable than other heating and cooling systems.
A combination furnace and air conditioner unit can help you save on energy costs as well. A combination unit has an increased SEER rating than traditional HVAC systems. This allows you to conserve energy and also enjoy more convenience. Depending on your utility rates and climate, you may even be saving money by using a heat pump when combined with an electric or gas furnace.
If you plan to purchase your air conditioner and furnace with a loan, it may be better to choose a combination unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases of two HVAC systems could negatively affect your borrowing capacity for years. If you purchase a single AC heater and combo unit using an approved credit card your credit score won’t take any hits at all.
The replacement of the furnace and AC unit is much easier when you use the existing ductwork. The cost of replacing both the air conditioning and furnace could be substantial.
4. Versatility
A furnace AC combo is a great option for those living in moderate climates. It can efficiently heat your home during winter and cool it in the summer. Also called gas-electric systems, this type of HVAC system makes use of propane gas or natural gas to warm your home in the winter months and electricity to cool it down during summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner/furnace combo that can only work in one mode.
Air conditioners utilize the chemical freon to cool your home. The AC unit compresses first the freon, and then evaporates to circulate cool air through your home. It also absorbs heat in the air surrounding your home, which helps keep it cool. If your house isn’t well insulate, the process of evaporation can cause the air in your home to lose its cooling capability. This occurs when refrigerant leaks or when the heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces make use of combustion to heat your home, but they are less efficient than air conditioners when it comes to heating. They also have a harder to deal with cold temperatures than air conditioners. A lot of people living in mild climates prefer an oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC is a combination of energy-efficient features from an oil furnace with the reliability of an oil stove.
To select the ideal AC/furnace combination, you must ensure that it is appropriate for the space you live in. A HVAC professional can help determine the HVAC system is best for your home. They’ll look at aspects like square footage, levels of humidity, and insulation.
A technician for heating and cooling will also help you determine what size furnace and air conditioning unit you need. They’ll consider your heating and cooling requirements as well as any plans for expansion you may have for your home. They’ll also explain what types of incentives and rebates are available to you.
Get three estimates from various contractors before you purchase a new HVAC unit. Compare the prices and AFUE rating of each system. Be aware that a professional installation of your HVAC system is essential to ensure your warranty.
