Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Furnace and air conditioner combos use the same blower to distribute the conditioned air throughout your house. They can also be controlled via smart thermostats.
If you choose a different brand for your furnace and AC could invalidate your warranty on both units. The matching of the two units can save you time and money on maintenance and repairs.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely efficient in energy use, particularly 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 with a SEER rating. For the most efficient efficiency, have a professional do an estimate of the load for your home. This will help you determine the proper size and type of system for your space.
Furnaces generate heat by using propane or natural gas to burn fuel to create hot steam, which then circulates through ductwork, warming 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. These two systems are like Goldilocks working in tandem to keep your home’s temperature just right.
If you’re looking to improve your system’s energy efficiency even further, consider a new variable speed AC unit. This technology allows your air conditioner to operate at a lower rate and helps it to remove moisture from the air, leading to drier indoor air.
The heat pumps are a fantastic option for homeowners in mild climates. They are able to provide cooling and heating without burning fuel. They transfer heat from the air inside your home to the outside air, which cuts down on energy costs and environmental impact.
A hybrid system, which combines a heat pump with a traditional gas furnace for back-up warmth in the coldest months — is an alternative. A new high-efficiency heat pump makes use of the exact same technology to transfer warmth from one region of your home to another, but with an additional gas furnace to provide back-up during the coldest winter temperatures.
If you replace your old, inefficient HVAC system with a brand new, high-efficiency furnace and air combination, you can reduce your energy costs by up to 40%. For the best energy savings from your new system, make sure you have the proper insulation and weatherization, as well as thermostat settings.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace can be between 15 and 30 years and an AC unit can last up to 15 years. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a part begins to wear out or has serious issues that affect the efficiency of the unit. If this occurs, a homeowner is often faced with the dilemma of whether to replace the air conditioner or the furnace. It may seem counterintuitive, but investing in an HVAC system that is brand new when the old one is still working well is often the best choice for homeowners. They will save money on repairs and cut down on their energy costs.
Installing and purchasing two new HVAC systems is costly. A combination of air conditioner and furnace is more affordable but it is more expensive. In addition, you only have to maintain the system once a year instead of twice a year for separate units.
A high-efficiency system is another way to reduce the cost of an air conditioner. The majority of modern gas furnaces have an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at minimum 80%, and the majority of AC units have SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or greater. This will help you reduce your energy costs and significantly decrease your home heating and cooling expenses.
If you select a furnace-AC combo from the same company, you will also enjoy an excellent energy efficiency because the two systems are compatible. If you choose two brands, be aware that a mismatched combo will affect their efficiency and longevity.
Mismatched units could cause serious problems and result in dangerous CO and refrigerant leaking. These problems can also damage your HVAC system as well as your ductwork.
A specialist from Georgia Air Repair can perform precise HVAC repairs on any kind of equipment. It is crucial to keep in mind that the majority of manufacturers will not respect their warranties in the event that the units are mixed and mixed. Making sure you choose the same brand for your air conditioning and furnace will ensure that the unit is properly installed and maintained and will give you the best performance throughout its lifetime.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems 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. Selecting a unit specifically designed to work with your other HVAC component will save you time and money in the long time. This will ensure that your new and existing HVAC components will work well together without voiding warranties or causing any other damage to the system.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner can provide you with peace of mind all year round. In contrast to window air conditioners, which only work in the summer months and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning in winter, these units are properly set up to cool and heat your entire house. They are also more robust and reliable than other types of heating and cooling systems.
A combination furnace and air conditioner unit will save you on energy bills as well. A combination unit has a higher SEER rating than traditional HVAC systems. This lets you save more energy and also enjoy more convenience. You may be able save money by using a heatpump in conjunction with a gas or electric furnace, based on your energy costs.
If you are planning on buying your air conditioning and furnace through the aid of a loan, you might think about a combination unit instead of two separate units. Purchasing two HVAC systems with credit has the effect of putting two marks on your credit report, which may negatively impact your borrowing power for years to come. If you purchase a single AC heater with an approved credit card your credit score won’t suffer any damage at all.
The procedure of replacing the furnace and AC unit is much less difficult using the ductwork you have already installed. 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 combination can be a good choice. It can efficiently heat your home in the winter, and cool it down in the summer. This type of HVAC system also referred to as gas-electric systems, uses propane or natural gas to heat your house in winter and electric in the summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner and furnace combination, which can only operate in one mode at a time.
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 house. It also absorbs heat from the air around your home, which helps to keep it cool. However, if your house isn’t properly insulated, the evaporation cycle could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This happens when the heat exchanger or refrigerant wears out.
Furnaces make use of combustion to heat your house but they are not as efficient than air conditioners when it comes to heating. Air conditioners are not able to withstand cold temperatures. A lot of people living in mild climates choose to use a heat pump and oil furnace combination. This kind of HVAC system combines energy-efficient features from heatpump and the reliability of an oil stove.
When choosing the best AC/furnace combination, you must ensure that it is appropriate for the space you live in. A HVAC professional can help determine which HVAC system is best for your home. They’ll consider factors like area as well as insulation and humidity levels.
A technician who specializes in heating and cooling will assist you in determining the proper size furnace and air conditioner you need. They’ll take into account your cooling and heating needs, as well as any plans for future expansions to your home. They’ll also inform you what rebates and incentives you can receive.
Get three estimates from different contractors before you purchase a new HVAC unit. Then, compare the costs and the AFUE ratings of each. Make sure you get a professional HVAC installation is crucial to guarantee your warranty and ensure that your HVAC unit works properly.