Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Air conditioner and furnace combos make use of the same blower to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They also integrate with smart thermostats that allow for individual control.
If you have an alternative brand of furnace and AC the warranty may be voided on both units. Combining the two units can save time and money during maintenance and repairs.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern air conditioners and furnaces are highly energy efficient, particularly when paired together. You can save a significant amount on your energy bills by selecting a natural gas heater with an air conditioner that has SEER ratings. A professional can determine the energy load of your home to ensure the most efficient results. This will help you determine the proper size and type of system that is appropriate for your home.
Furnaces produce heat by using propane or natural gas to ignite fuel to produce hot steam. The steam then circulates through ductwork and warms 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. The combination of these two systems works like a Goldilocks power coupler, ensuring that your home’s temperature is always just right–never too hot or cold.
You should consider a variable speed AC unit if you wish to further increase the energy efficiency of your system. This technology permits your air conditioner to operate at a lower speed and helps it better extract moisture from the air, leading to drier indoor air.
Heat pumps are an excellent alternative for homeowners living in mild climates. They can provide heating and cooling without burning any fuel. The units transfer heat from the air in your home to outdoor air, which reduces on energy consumption and environmental impact.
Another alternative is a hybrid system that combines the heatpump and a gas furnace to provide back-up heating during coldest winter months. A new high-efficiency heat pump can use the same technology to transfer heat from one part of your house to the next however, it comes with a gas furnace to back up the heat during the coldest temperatures.
By replacing your old, inefficient HVAC system with a modern, high-efficiency furnace and air conditioner, you could reduce your energy costs by as much as 40%. To get the most savings on energy costs, be certain to install the proper insulation and weatherization as well as thermostat settings to go with your new system.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is 15-30 years and an AC unit can last up to 15 years. In general, an HVAC system is replaced when one part starts to show signs getting old or suffers from serious malfunctions that compromise its effectiveness. When this occurs, a homeowner is often faced with the dilemma of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. While it might seem counterintuitive to purchase an HVAC system that is brand new if the old one is operating well, it’s usually the best option for homeowners as they will save on repair bills and lower their energy costs by investing in a modern HVAC system.
The purchase and installation of two new HVAC systems can be costly. However, a furnace and air conditioner set-up is less expensive. Plus, you will only have to maintain the unit once per year instead of twice a year for separate units.
Another way to reduce the overall cost of a furnace and combination is to go for a high-efficiency unit. Most modern gas furnaces come with an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at minimum 80%, and most AC units have SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or more. This can save you money on your energy bills, and lower your home heating and cooling costs.
If you choose a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer, you’ll also benefit from excellent energy efficiency and longevity since the systems will work well. If you select two different brands, keep in mind that a mismatched combo will affect their performance and lifespan.
Incorrectly matched units can cause serious problems and result in dangerous refrigerant leaks and CO. These issues can also cause damage to your HVAC system and ductwork.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any type of HVAC equipment. It’s important to remember that the majority of manufacturers won’t honor their warranties in the event that the units are mixed and match. Selecting the same brand for your air conditioning and furnace will ensure that the unit is correctly installed, repaired and will provide the best performance over its lifetime.
3. Convenience
If you decide to install a furnace and conditioner the HVAC systems are designed to work together 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. It will also help ensure that your new and old components will work perfectly without voiding one’s warranty or causing any other issues with the HVAC system.
A furnace and air conditioner combo will provide you with all-year-round comfort. In contrast to window air conditioners, which only work in summer and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning in winter, these units are properly installed to heat and cool your entire home. They are also more durable and reliable than other types of cooling and heating systems.
Additionally, you can save on energy costs by using a furnace and conditioner combination unit. Combination units have more SEER than conventional HVAC systems. This allows you to conserve energy and enjoy greater convenience. It is possible to save money if you use the heatpump along with a gas or electric furnace, based on your energy costs.
If you’re thinking of purchasing your air conditioner and furnace through a loan, you may want to consider a combo unit instead of two separate units. Purchasing two HVAC systems using credit has the effect of taking two hits to your credit report, which may affect your borrowing power for a long time. Your credit score will remain unaffected by the purchase of one AC/heater combination unit with credit approval.
The replacement of a furnace and AC unit is much easier when you use the existing ductwork. The replacement of both the air conditioner and furnace will require extensive ductwork that could be costly.
4. Versatility
For those who live in areas with moderate temperatures, a furnace and AC combination can be a good option. It can efficiently heat your home during winter months and cool it down during summer. Also called gas-electric systems, this type of HVAC system uses propane gas or natural gas to heat your home during the winter months and electricity to cool it down in the summer. This makes it more flexible than a combination of an air conditioner and furnace that only works in one way.
The chemical freon is utilized by air conditioners to cool your house. The AC unit compresses freon, which is then evaporated to circulate cool dry air through your home. It also absorbs heat in the air surrounding your home, which helps keep it cool. If your home isn’t well-insulated then the evaporation cycle can cause the air to lose its cooling power. This occurs when refrigerant leaks or when the heat exchanger wears down.
Furnaces are a way to heat your home with combustion, but they are not as efficient in heating than air conditioners. Air conditioners are not able to withstand cold temperatures. That’s why a lot of people who live in mild climates opt for an oil furnace and heat pump combination. This type of HVAC system incorporates energy-efficient features of heatpump and the reliability of an oil stove.
When choosing the best combination of furnace and AC, you must ensure that it is right-sized for your home. An HVAC professional can help you determine which HVAC system is the best for your home. They’ll take into consideration factors such as the square footage, the humidity levels, as well as insulation.
A specialist in heating and cooling can assist you in determining the proper size furnace and air conditioner you need. They’ll consider your cooling and heating needs and any future expansion plans for your home. They’ll also explain the types of rebates and incentives are available to you.
Get three quotes from different contractors prior to purchasing a new HVAC unit. Then, compare the costs and the AFUE ratings of each. Remember that a professional installation of your HVAC system is necessary to ensure your warranty.
