Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Air conditioner and furnace combos make use of the same blower to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They can also be controlled by smart thermostats.
If you choose a different brand for your furnace and AC could invalidate your warranty on both units. The synchronization of the two units can save you time and cost on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern air conditioners and furnaces are extremely energy efficient, particularly when they are used in conjunction. You can save a good amount on your monthly utility costs by selecting a gas heater and an air conditioner with an SEER rating. To get the most efficient results, have a professional do an estimate of the load for your home. This will allow you to determine which size and kind of system is suitable for your home.
Furnaces generate heat using propane or natural gas to ignite fuel to produce hot steam, which then circulates through ductwork, warming 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 together to keep your home’s temperature right.
Think about a variable-speed AC unit if you wish to boost the energy efficiency of your system. This technology allows your air conditioner to operate at a lower capacity and helps it better extract moisture from the air, resulting in drier indoor air.
For homeowners living in moderate climates the heat pump can provide the heating and cooling they require without burning any fuel. The units transfer heat from the air inside your home to the outdoor air, which cut down on energy consumption and environmental impact.
A hybrid system that combines a heat pump with a traditional gas furnace for back-up warmth in the coldest winter months is an alternative. A new high-efficiency heat pump uses the same technology to transfer warmth from one part of your home to another however, it has a gas furnace added for backup during the coldest temperatures.
By replacing your old inefficient HVAC system with a brand new high-efficiency furnace and conditioner, you could reduce your energy costs by as much as 40 percent. For the best energy savings from your new HVAC system, you must install the correct insulation, weatherization and thermostat settings.
2. Longevity
A furnace can last between 15 and 30 years while an AC unit can last for as long as 15 years. HVAC systems are typically replaced when a part begins to age or suffers serious malfunctions which affect the efficiency of the unit. A homeowner is often forced to decide whether to replace their air conditioner or furnace when this happens. It may seem counterintuitive, but investing in a new HVAC unit even if the one you have is still working well is often the best choice for homeowners. They can save the cost of repairs and also reduce the energy bills.
Installing and purchasing two HVAC systems new is costly. However the furnace and air conditioner combination is much less costly. Additionally, you’ll only have to maintain the system once a year instead of twice a year for separate units.
Another method to cut down on the total cost of a furnace and conditioner combo is to opt for a high-efficiency unit. Modern gas furnaces are equipped with an AFUE rating that is at least 80% while most AC units come with an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of 16 or more. This will allow you to reduce your energy bills and significantly decrease your home heating and cooling expenses.
If you select a furnace and AC combo from the same manufacturer you’ll also benefit from high energy efficiency and durability as the systems will cooperate well. However, if you choose to go with two different brands it is important to keep in mind that a combination that is not compatible can reduce their lifespan and performance.
Unmatched units can cause serious problems that can cause dangerous CO and refrigerant leaking. These issues could also cause damage to your ductwork and affect the efficiency of your HVAC system.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any kind of HVAC equipment. It’s important to remember that many manufacturers won’t honor their warranties in the event that you mix and match their units. Selecting the same furnace and air conditioner will ensure that the unit is installed correctly, repaired and performs optimally throughout its life.
3. Convenience
When you opt to install a furnace and air conditioner combo both HVAC systems are designed to function 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. Choosing a unit that is specifically designed to work with your other HVAC component will save you time and money in the long time. This will ensure that the new and existing HVAC components will work well together without voiding warranties or causing any other problems to the system.
A furnace and air conditioner combination will provide you with all-year-round comfort. Unlike window air conditioners that only work during summer and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter, these units are properly set up to cool and heat your entire home. They are also more robust and reliable than other kinds of heating and cooling systems.
A furnace and air conditioner combo unit can save you money on energy costs too. While traditional HVAC systems come with SEER ratings as high as 10, a combo unit is more SEER-rated and offers more energy savings and convenience. Depending on your energy costs and climate, you may even be in a position to save money by using a heat pump along with electric or gas furnace.
If you plan to purchase your air conditioner and furnace by borrowing money it is possible to choose an integrated unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases of two HVAC systems can adversely affect your borrowing capacity for years. Your credit score will be unaffected by purchasing a single AC/heater combo unit with credit approval.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner will also allow you to utilize your existing ductwork, which makes the process less complicated than simply replacing an AC unit or a new furnace. The cost of replacing both the furnace and air conditioning could be substantial.
4. Versatility
A furnace AC combo is a great choice for those who live in mild climates. It can efficiently heat your home in the winter and cool it in summer. Also known as gas-electric systems this type of HVAC system makes use of propane 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 which can only function in one way.
The chemical freon is used by air conditioners to cool your home. The AC unit compresses freon, which is then evaporated to circulate cool dry air throughout your home. It also absorbs heat in the air around your home, which helps keep it cool. If your home isn’t properly insulated, the evaporation cycle can cause the air to lose its cooling power. This happens when the refrigerant or heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces are a way to heat your home with combustion, but are less efficient at heating than air conditioners. Air conditioners are also less able to deal with cold temperatures. This is why many people who live in climates with moderate temperatures opt for an oil furnace and heat pump combination. This type of HVAC system combines 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 the HVAC system is the most suitable for your home. They’ll consider aspects like area, levels of humidity, and insulation.
A technician who specializes in cooling and heating will also assist you in determining the size furnace and air conditioner that you need. They’ll consider your heating and cooling needs and any plans for expansion you may have for your home. They’ll also let you know what incentives and rebates you could get.
Get three quotes from different contractors prior to purchasing an entirely new HVAC unit. Then, compare the prices and AFUE ratings for each system. Don’t forget that a professional HVAC installation is crucial to protect your warranty and ensure your HVAC unit is working properly.
