Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
The same blower is used to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They also integrate with smart thermostats to provide individualized control.
Using a different brand of your furnace and AC could invalidate your warranty on both units. Combining the two units can save time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and air conditioners are energy efficient, especially when they are used in conjunction. You can save a good amount on your energy bills by choosing a gas heater with an air conditioner with a SEER rating. To get the most efficient results make sure you have a professional perform a load calculation for your home. This will help determine which size and type of system is right for your space.
Furnaces create heat by burning fuel using propane gas or natural gas. The steam is then circulated through ductwork to warm 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 two systems work like an Goldilocks power coupler, making sure that your home’s temperature is always just right, never being too hot or cold.
Consider a variable-speed AC unit if you’re looking to increase the energy efficiency of your system. This technology allows the air conditioner to run at a lower capacity and help it better extract moisture from the air, which results in dry air inside.
Heat pumps are a great option for homeowners living in mild climates. They are able to provide cooling and heating without burning any fuel. The units transfer heat from the air in your home to the outdoor air, which cut down on energy costs and environmental impact.
A hybrid system–which includes a heat pump and a traditional gas furnace for back-up warmth in the coldest months–is an alternative. A new high-efficiency heat pump will make use of the same technology to transfer heat from one region of your home to the next however, it comes with a gas furnace to provide back-up in the coldest winter temperatures.
You can cut down the cost of energy for your home by as much as 40% when you replace your old, inefficient HVAC system. To get the most savings on energy costs, be certain to install the proper insulation and weatherization as well as thermostat settings in conjunction with your new HVAC system.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace can be between 15 and 30 years, while 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. When this occurs, homeowners are often faced with the decision of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. While it may seem counterintuitive to purchase a new HVAC system when your old one is still functioning well, this is usually the best option for homeowners as they can save money on repairs and cut their energy bills with a newer system.
The purchase and installation of two HVAC systems new can be expensive. A combination of air conditioner and furnace is more affordable however. Plus, you will only have to maintain the system once a year instead of twice a year with separate units.
Another way to lower the overall cost of a furnace and air combination is to opt for a high-efficiency model. Modern gas furnaces are equipped with an AFUE rating of at least 80 percent, while the majority of AC units come with an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of 16 or more. This will save you money on your energy bills and will reduce your heating and cooling expenses.
When you choose a furnace-AC combo from the same company and you’ll also benefit from excellent energy efficiency as the two systems work well. If you choose two different brands, keep in mind that a mismatched combo will affect their efficiency and longevity.
Incorrectly matched units can cause serious problems that could lead to leaks of refrigerant and CO which pose a risk to humans. These problems can also cause damage to your HVAC system and your ductwork.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any type of HVAC equipment. However, it’s important to note that most 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 properly installed and repaired, and will perform optimally throughout its life.
3. Convenience
If you decide to install a furnace and conditioner combination, 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. You will 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 warranties or causing any other damage to the system.
The presence of a combination of a furnace and air conditioner inside your home will provide you with all-year-round comfort. In contrast to window air conditioners, which are only effective in summer and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter the units are set up to cool and heat the entire house. They are also more durable and reliable than other types of heating and cooling systems.
A furnace and air conditioner combo unit can save you money on energy costs as well. Combination units have an increased SEER rating than traditional HVAC systems. This lets you save 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, depending on your energy costs.
If you are planning to purchase your air conditioner and furnace with a loan it might be better to select a combination unit rather than two separate units. Credit card purchases for two HVAC systems can negatively affect your borrowing capacity over the course of years. By purchasing just one AC heater and combo unit using an approved credit card your credit score won’t be affected in any way.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner will also allow you to utilize your existing ductwork, making the process much less difficult than just 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 option for those who live in moderate climates. It will efficiently heat your home during the winter months, and cool it in summer. Also known as gas-electric systems, this type of HVAC system makes use of propane gas or natural gas to heat your home during the winter and electricity to cool it down in summer. This makes it more versatile than an air conditioner and furnace combination that can only function on only one mode at a time.
Air conditioners use an ingredient called freon in order to cool your home. The AC unit first compresses the freon, and then evaporates to circulate cool air throughout your house. It also absorbs heat in the air around your home, which helps keep it cool. But if your home isn’t properly insulated, the evaporation process could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This occurs when the refrigerant or heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces use combustion to heat your house, but they are less efficient than air conditioners when it comes to heating. They also have a harder time dealing with cold temperatures than air conditioners. Many people living in mild climates choose to use a heat pump and oil furnace combination. This kind of HVAC combines the energy-efficient features of a heat pump with the reliability of an oil furnace.
To select the ideal combination of furnace and AC, you must make sure that it is sized correctly for your house. A HVAC expert can help you determine which HVAC system will work best for your home. They’ll take into consideration factors such as the size of the room, insulation, and the level of humidity.
A technician for heating and cooling can also assist you in deciding what size furnace and air conditioner you require. They’ll take into account your heating and cooling requirements, as well as any future expansion plans for your home. They’ll also explain what types of rebates and incentives are available to you.
Get three estimates from different contractors prior to purchasing a new HVAC unit. Then, compare the costs and AFUE ratings of each system. Make sure you have a professional install of your HVAC system is essential to protect your warranty.
