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 work with smart thermostats to provide individualized control.
Using a different brand for your furnace and AC could void your warranty on both units. The matching of two units can save you time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern air conditioners and furnaces are energy efficient, especially when paired together. You can save a significant amount on your monthly utility bills by choosing a gas furnace with an air conditioner that has an SEER rating. For the best efficiency results get a professional to do an estimate of the load for your home. This will help you determine the right size and type of system that is appropriate for your space.
Furnaces generate heat using natural or propane gas to burn fuel and create hot steam, which then circulates through ductwork and warms 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. Both systems are like Goldilocks working in tandem to keep your home’s temperature 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 operate at a lower power and lets it better extract moisture from the air.
Heat pumps are an excellent option for homeowners living in mild climates. They can provide heating and cooling without burning any fuel. They transfer heat from the air in your home to outdoor air, which cuts down on energy costs and also reduces environmental impact.
A hybrid system–which incorporates a heat pump with a traditional gas furnace for back-up warmth during the coldest months — is another option. A new high-efficiency heat pump will utilize the same technology to transfer heat from one area of your house to the next and will be paired with a gas furnace to provide back-up in the coldest winter temperatures.
You can reduce your energy costs for your home by up to 40% if you replace your old inefficient HVAC system. To get the most energy savings, be sure to install insulation and weatherization settings with your new HVAC system.
2. Longevity
A furnace can last 15-30 years, whereas an AC unit could last up to 15-20 years. In general, an HVAC system is replaced when one component starts to show signs ageing or the other suffers from serious malfunctions that compromise its effectiveness. A homeowner will often have to decide whether to replace their air conditioner or furnace when this happens. It may seem counterintuitive, but investing in an HVAC unit that is new when the existing one is still functioning well is usually the best option for homeowners. They can save money on repairs and cut down on the energy bills.
Purchasing and installing two new HVAC systems can be expensive. A combination of a furnace and air conditioner is more affordable however. You will only have to maintain your system every year, instead of twice as often if you have separate units.
Another way to reduce the overall cost of a furnace and combination is to opt for a high-efficiency model. The majority of modern gas furnaces come 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 up to 16 or more. This will help you save on your energy bills and significantly decrease your home heating and cooling costs.
If you select a furnace-AC combination from the same manufacturer and you’ll also benefit from high energy efficiency since the two systems work well. If you decide to go with two different brands it is important to keep in mind that a mismatched combination can reduce their life span and performance.
Mismatched units can cause serious issues that could cause leaks of refrigerant or CO which pose a risk to humans. These problems could also result in damage to your HVAC system as well as your ductwork.
A professional from Georgia Air Repair can perform precise HVAC repairs on any kind of equipment. It’s important to know that the majority of manufacturers will not honor their warranties in the event that you mix and match their units. Selecting the same manufacturer for your furnace and air conditioning will ensure that your unit is correctly installed, repaired, and will offer the best performance over its lifetime.
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 selecting the unit that is compatible with the other HVAC component. This will ensure that the new and current HVAC components will work together without voiding any warranties or causing any other issues to the system.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner will give you comfort all year long. They can cool and heat the entire house, in contrast to window air conditioners which are only effective in the summer months and can lead to CO poisoning in winter. They are more durable and reliable than other cooling and heating systems.
A combination furnace and air conditioner unit can help you save on energy costs too. A combination unit has more SEER than conventional HVAC systems. This allows you to conserve energy and also enjoy more convenience. Depending on your rates for utilities and climate, you may even be in a position to save money by using a heat pump when combined with electric or gas furnace.
If you’re planning on purchasing your air conditioner and furnace through the aid of a loan, you might want to consider a combo unit instead of two separate units. The purchase of two HVAC systems with credit has the effect of putting two hits to your credit report, which could affect your borrowing power for years to come. Your credit score will be unaffected by purchasing an AC/heater unit with credit approval.
The replacement of the furnace and AC unit is much less difficult when you use your existing ductwork. Replacing both the air conditioning and furnace will require extensive ductwork that could be costly.
4. Versatility
A furnace AC combination is a great choice for those living in mild climates. 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 makes use of propane gas or natural gas to heat your home during the winter and electricity to cool it down in the summer. This makes it more adaptable than an furnace and air conditioner, which can only operate on only one mode at a time.
The chemical freon is employed by air conditioners to cool your house. The AC unit compresses first the freon, and then evaporates to circulate cool air through your home. It also absorbs heat from the air around your home, which helps keep it cool. If your home isn’t well-insulated, the evaporation process could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This happens when the heat exchanger or refrigerant wears out.
Furnaces heat your home using combustion, but they are less efficient in terms of heating than air conditioners. Air conditioners are also less able to handle cold temperatures. Many people in mild climates prefer a heat pump and oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC is a combination of energy-efficient features from a heatpump with the reliability of an oilstove.
To select the ideal combination of furnace and AC, you must ensure that it’s appropriate for the space you live in. An HVAC expert can help you determine which HVAC system is best for your home. They’ll look at factors such as square footage, levels of humidity, and insulation.
A technician with expertise in heating and cooling will assist you in determining the right size furnace and air conditioner that you need. They’ll take into account your cooling and heating needs, as well as any plans for future expansions to your home. They’ll also tell you what kinds of rebates and incentives are available to you.
Get three estimates from various contractors before you purchase the new HVAC unit. Then, compare the prices and AFUE ratings of each system. Don’t forget that a professional HVAC installation is necessary to protect your warranty and ensure your HVAC unit is working properly.
