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 by smart thermostats.
If you have another brand of furnace or AC your warranty may be void on both units. The matching of two units could save time and cost on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern air conditioners and furnaces are highly energy efficient, particularly when used together. By choosing gas furnaces with an air conditioner that has a high SEER rating, you’ll be able to save money on your energy bills throughout the year. A professional can calculate the load for your home to ensure the best results. This will help determine which size and kind of system is suitable for your home.
Furnaces produce heat by using natural or propane gas to ignite fuel to produce 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. The combination of these two systems works like a Goldilocks power coupler, making sure that your home’s temperature will always be just right–never too cold or too hot.
If you’re looking to improve your system’s energy efficiency even further, you should consider purchasing a brand new, variable speed AC unit. This technology permits the air conditioner to operate at a lower power which allows it to better extract moisture from the air.
For homeowners who live in moderate climates the heat pump can provide the heating and cooling they need without burning fuel. These units transfer heat out of your home into outside air, reducing energy costs and impact on the environment.
A hybrid system that incorporates a heat pump with traditional gas furnaces to provide back-up warmth in the coldest winter months is another option. A new high efficiency heat pump makes use of exactly the same technology to transfer warmth from one area of your home to another but with a gas furnace added for backup during the coldest temperatures.
You can cut down your home’s energy bills by as much as 40% when you replace your old inefficient HVAC system. For the best energy savings from your new HVAC system, install the right insulation and weatherization, as well as thermostat settings.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is 15-30 years, while an AC unit can last 15-20 years. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a component starts to get old or suffers from serious problems that compromise its efficiency. If this occurs, homeowners are often faced with the choice of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. It might seem counterintuitive, but investing in an HVAC system that is brand new when the existing one is still working well is usually the best option for homeowners. They can save money on repairs and cut down on their energy consumption.
The installation and purchase of two new HVAC systems is costly. However the furnace and air conditioner combo is much less costly. You will only have to maintain your system once a yr instead of twice as often with separate units.
A high-efficiency system is yet another method to lower the cost of the combination furnace and air conditioner. Modern gas furnaces typically have an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at minimum 80%, and most AC units come with a SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or greater. 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 enjoy excellent energy efficiency and longevity since the systems will work well together. However, if you go with two different brands, it’s important to remember that a mix of brands will decrease their life span and performance.
Unmatched units can cause serious problems and result in dangerous CO and refrigerant leaking. These issues can also harm your ductwork and reduce the effectiveness of your HVAC system.
A professional from Georgia Air Repair can perform accurate HVAC repairs on any kind of equipment. It’s important to remember that many manufacturers will not honor their warranty when you mix and match their units. Selecting the same brand for your air conditioning and furnace will ensure that your unit is installed correctly and maintained and will provide the best performance throughout its life.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems operate seamlessly 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’ll save time and money by selecting a unit that works well with the other HVAC component. It will also help ensure that your new and old components will work effectively without voiding the other’s warranty or causing other issues with the HVAC system.
A furnace and air conditioner combo will give you comfort all year long. Contrary to window air conditioners which only work during summer and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning in winter, these units are properly installed to cool and heat the entire house. They are more reliable and durable than other heating and cooling systems.
A combination furnace and air conditioner unit will save you on energy bills as well. A combination unit offers a higher SEER rating than traditional HVAC systems. This lets you conserve energy and enjoy greater convenience. Depending on your energy costs and climate, you may even be able to save money by using a heat pump in conjunction with a gas or electric furnace.
If you are planning to purchase your furnace and air conditioner by borrowing money, it may be better to choose an integrated unit instead of two separate units. Purchasing two HVAC systems using credit has the result of taking two hits to your credit report, which could adversely affect your borrowing capacity for years to come. By purchasing just one AC heater with a credit card that is approved, your credit score will not suffer any damage at all.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner can also permit you to utilize your existing ductwork, which makes the process less complicated than simply replacing an AC unit or a new furnace. Replacing both the AC and furnace will require extensive ductwork, which could be costly.
4. Versatility
If you live in areas with moderate temperatures, a furnace-AC combination is a good choice. It is able to efficiently heat your home in the winter and cool it down during summer. Also known as gas-electric systems, this type of HVAC system makes use of propane gas or natural gas to heat your home in the winter months and electricity to cool it down in summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner/furnace combo which can only function in one way.
Air conditioners use 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 surrounding your home, which helps to keep it cool. If your home isn’t properly insulated, the evaporation process can cause the air in your home to lose its cooling capability. This occurs when the heat exchanger or refrigerant wears out.
Furnaces utilize combustion to heat your house but they are not as efficient than air conditioners when it comes to heating. They also have a harder time dealing with cold temperatures than air conditioners. That’s why many people living in climates with moderate temperatures opt for an oil furnace and heat pump combination. This kind of HVAC system incorporates the energy-efficient features of a heat pump along with the reliability of an oil furnace.
To choose the right AC/furnace combination, you must make sure that it is sized correctly for your house. An HVAC professional can help you determine which HVAC system is the best for your house. They’ll consider factors such as the square footage, the levels of humidity, and insulation.
A technician who specializes in heating and cooling will also assist you in determining the size furnace and air conditioner you need. They’ll consider your heating and cooling requirements and any plans for expansion you may have for your home. They’ll also inform you which incentives and rebates you could get.
Get three estimates from various contractors before purchasing an entirely new HVAC unit. Then, you can compare the costs and AFUE ratings of each system. Remember that a professional installation of your HVAC system is required to protect your warranty.
