Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Furnace and air conditioner combos use the same blower to distribute the conditioned air throughout your home. They can also be controlled by smart thermostats.
If you have an alternative brand of furnace or AC your warranty may be voided on both units. The matching of the two units can save time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and air conditioners are energy efficient, especially when used together. You can save a significant deal on your utility bills by selecting a natural gas furnace with an air conditioner that has SEER ratings. To get the most efficient results get a professional to do an energy calculation for your home. This will help you determine the appropriate size and type of system that is appropriate for your space.
Furnaces generate heat by burning fuel with propane or natural gas. The steam is 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 functions as an Goldilocks power couple, ensuring that your home’s temperature is just right, never being too cold or too hot.
If you want to increase your system’s energy efficiency even further, consider a new, variable speed AC unit. This technology permits the air conditioner to run at a lower power, which lets it better extract moisture from air.
Heat pumps are a great option for homeowners living in mild climates. They are able to provide cooling and heating without burning fuel. These units transfer heat from your home to the outside air, which reduces the energy cost and affecting the environment.
A hybrid system that combines a heat pump with an old-fashioned gas furnace to provide backup warmth during the coldest months — is another option. A new high-efficiency heat pump will utilize the same technology to transfer heat from one region of your house to another, but with an added gas furnace for back-up during the coldest winter temperatures.
By replacing your old inefficient HVAC system with a new high-efficiency furnace and conditioner, you could reduce your energy bills by as much as 40%. For the greatest energy savings, be certain to install the proper insulation, weatherization, and thermostat settings in conjunction with your new HVAC system.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is between 15 and 30 years and an AC unit can last 15-20 years. In general an HVAC system is replaced when a component starts to show signs getting old or suffers from serious malfunctions which affect its performance. A homeowner will often have to decide whether to replace their furnace or air conditioner when this occurs. While it might seem counterintuitive to purchase a new HVAC system when your current one is operating well, it’s often the best option for homeowners as they can reduce repair costs and reduce their energy bills by investing in a modern HVAC system.
Installing and buying two HVAC systems new is costly. A combination of air conditioner and furnace is more affordable but it is more expensive. In addition, you only need to maintain the unit once per year instead of twice per year with separate units.
Another way to lower the overall cost of a furnace and air combination is to opt for a high-efficiency unit. Modern gas furnaces typically have an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at minimum 80%, whereas the majority of AC units come with a SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or greater. This can save you money on your energy bills, and will reduce your home heating and cooling costs.
If you opt for a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer, you’ll also benefit from high energy efficiency and durability as the systems will work well together. If you choose two different brands, keep in mind that a mismatched combination will reduce their performance and lifespan.
Mismatched units can cause serious problems that can result in leaks of refrigerant and CO which pose a risk to humans. These issues can also cause damage to your HVAC system and ductwork.
A professional from Georgia Air Repair can perform accurate HVAC repairs on all kinds of equipment. It is important to keep in mind that most manufacturers will not guarantee their products if the units are mixed and mixed. Choosing the same brand of furnace and air conditioner will ensure that the unit is properly installed and repaired, and will perform optimally throughout its lifespan.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems can 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. You will save time and money by choosing an appliance that is compatible with the other HVAC component. It will also help ensure that your new and existing components will work perfectly without voiding one’s warranty or causing other issues with the HVAC system.
A furnace and air conditioner combo will give you peace of mind all year round. In contrast to window air conditioners, which are only effective in the summer months and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter they are set up to heat and cool the entire house. They are also more durable and reliable than other kinds of heating and cooling systems.
A combination air conditioner and furnace unit will save you on energy costs too. While traditional HVAC systems have SEER ratings as high as 10, a combo unit is more SEER-rated, giving you more energy savings and greater convenience. Depending on your energy costs and the climate, you might even be saving money by using a heating pump when combined with electric or gas furnace.
If you are planning on purchasing your air conditioning and furnace using the aid of a loan, you might be interested in a combo unit instead of two separate units. The purchase of two HVAC systems with credit can have the effect of taking two hits to your credit report, which may affect your borrowing power for a long time. By purchasing a single AC heater combo unit with an approved credit card your credit score won’t suffer any damage at all.
A combination of air conditioner and furnace can also permit you to utilize your existing ductwork, making the process much simpler than replacing only an AC unit or a new furnace. Replacing both the AC and furnace will require extensive ductwork that can be costly.
4. Versatility
If you live in areas with moderate temperatures, a furnace-AC combination is a good choice. It can efficiently heat your home in winter months and cool it down in summer. This type of HVAC system also referred to as gas-electric systems, uses natural or propane to heat your home in winter and electric in the summer. This makes it more flexible than a conventional air conditioner/furnace combination which can only function in one mode.
Air conditioners make use of a chemical called freon to cool your home. The AC unit first compresses the freon before it evaporates to circulate cool air throughout your home. It also absorbs heat from the air around your home, which helps keep it cool. However, if your house isn’t well-insulated, the evaporation process could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This occurs when the refrigerant or heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces are a way to heat your home with combustion, but they are not as efficient at heating than air conditioners. They also have a harder to deal with cold temperatures than air conditioners. A lot of people living in mild climates choose to use the heat pump and oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC system incorporates the energy-efficient features of a heat pump with the reliability of an oil furnace.
To choose the right combination of AC and furnace, you need to ensure that it is sized correctly for your house. A HVAC expert can assist you in determining which HVAC system is the most suitable for your home. They’ll look at aspects like square footage, humidity levels, and insulation.
A technician with expertise in cooling and heating will also help you determine the proper size furnace and air conditioner that you need. They’ll consider your heating and cooling needs and any plans for expansion you might have for your home. They’ll also let you know which incentives and rebates you could receive.
Get three estimates from various contractors before purchasing an entirely new HVAC unit. Compare the costs and AFUE rating of each system. Don’t forget that an HVAC installation by a professional is essential to protect your warranty and ensure your HVAC unit functions properly.
