Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Air conditioner and furnace combos use the same blower to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They also function with smart thermostats to provide individualized control.
If you are using a different brand of furnace and AC, your warranty could be void for both units. Combining the two units can save time and money during maintenance and repairs.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely energy efficient, especially when they’re used in conjunction. You can save a significant amount on your energy bills by choosing a gas heater with an air conditioner with an SEER rating. A professional can estimate the load for your home to ensure the most efficient results. This will help you determine what size and type of system is right for your space.
Furnaces produce heat by burning fuel using propane gas or natural gas. The steam is circulated through ductwork to warm 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. The two systems are similar to 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 permits the air conditioner to run at a lower speed and helps to better remove moisture from the air, leading to dry air inside.
For homeowners who live in moderate climates the heat pump can provide the heating and cooling they need without burning fuel. The units transfer heat out of your home into outside air, reducing the energy cost and affecting the environment.
Another alternative is a hybrid system that combines the heatpump and gas furnace to provide back-up heating during the coldest months. A new high-efficiency heat pump will use the same technology to transfer heat from one part of your home to the next and will be paired with a 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 combo, you can cut your home energy bills by as much as 40%. For the greatest savings on energy, make sure to install proper insulation and weatherization as well as thermostat settings in conjunction with your new system.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is between 15 and 30 years, while an AC unit can last for 15 to 20 years. HVAC systems are typically replaced when a part begins to wear out or has serious problems that compromise the efficiency of the unit. If this occurs, homeowners are often faced with the dilemma of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. Although it might appear counterintuitive to buy an HVAC system that is new when the old one is operating well, it’s usually the best option for homeowners as they will save money on repairs and reduce their energy bills with a modern system.
The purchase and installation of two new HVAC systems could be expensive. However, a furnace and air conditioner combination is much less costly. Additionally, you’ll only need to maintain the unit once per year instead of twice a year for separate units.
A high-efficiency system is another option to lower the price of a combination furnace and air conditioner. Most modern gas furnaces come with an AFUE rating that is at least 80 percent while the majority of AC units have an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of up to 16 or more. This will help you reduce your energy bills and drastically reduce your home’s heating and cooling expenses.
If you opt for a furnace and AC combo from the same manufacturer you’ll also benefit from excellent energy efficiency and durability as the systems will cooperate well. If you decide to go with two different brands it’s important to note that a mix of brands will reduce their life span and performance.
Unmatched units can cause serious problems and lead to dangerous CO and refrigerant leaking. These issues can also damage your ductwork and reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any kind of HVAC 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. Choosing the same manufacturer for your air conditioner and furnace will ensure that the unit is correctly installed, repaired, and will offer the best performance over its life.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems work seamlessly together 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 can save time and money by choosing the unit that is compatible with the other HVAC component. This will ensure that the new and current HVAC components will work well together without voiding any warranties or causing any other problems to the system.
A furnace and air conditioner combination will give you all-year-round comfort. Unlike window air conditioners that only work during the summer months and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter they are set up to cool and heat the entire house. They are also more durable and reliable than other types of cooling and heating systems.
You can also save on energy costs by making use of a furnace and air conditioner unit. A combination unit has more SEER than traditional HVAC systems. This allows you to conserve energy and also enjoy more convenience. It is possible to save money by using an air conditioner in conjunction with an electric or gas furnace, based on your utility rates.
If you’re thinking of purchasing your air conditioning and furnace using a loan, you may be interested in a combo unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases of two HVAC systems could negatively impact your borrowing capacity for years. Your credit score is unaffected by the purchase of a single AC/heater combo unit with credit approval.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner can also permit you to use your existing ductwork, which makes the process much less difficult than just replacing an AC unit or a new furnace. Replacing both the air conditioning and furnace will require extensive ductwork that could be costly.
4. Versatility
If you live in areas that have moderate temperatures, a furnace-AC combo can be a great choice. It can efficiently heat your home in the winter and cool it down in the summer. Also known as gas-electric systems this type of HVAC system uses natural or propane gas to heat your home during the winter, and electricity to cool it down in the summer. This makes it more flexible than a conventional air conditioner/furnace combination which can only function in one mode.
The chemical freon is employed by air conditioners to cool your home. The AC unit compresses freon that is then evaporated to circulate cool, dry air throughout your home. It also absorbs heat from surrounding air and helps keep your home cool. If your home isn’t well-insulated, the evaporation process could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This occurs when the heat exchanger or refrigerant wears out.
Furnaces are a way to heat your home with combustion, but they are less efficient at heating than air conditioners. They also have a harder time dealing with cold temperatures than air conditioners. This is why many people who live in climates with moderate temperatures opt for the heat pump and oil furnace combination. This kind of HVAC system blends the energy-efficient characteristics of a heat pump with the reliability of an oil furnace.
The most important factor to consider when choosing the best combination of AC and furnace is to ensure that it’s properly sized for your home. A HVAC professional can help determine the HVAC system will work best for your home. They’ll look at factors like the size of the room, insulation, and the level of humidity.
A technician for heating and cooling will also help you decide what size furnace and air conditioner you need. They’ll consider your heating and cooling requirements, as well any plans for expansion you might have for your home. They’ll also let you know what rebates and incentives you can get.
Get three estimates from different contractors prior to purchasing the new HVAC unit. Compare the costs and AFUE rating of each. Remember that an HVAC installation by a professional is necessary to ensure the warranty is protected and that your HVAC unit is working properly.
