Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Air conditioner and furnace combination units use the same blower to distribute the conditioned air throughout your home. They also integrate with smart thermostats for individualized control.
If you are using a different brand of furnace or AC, your warranty could be void for both units. The synchronization of the two units can save time and cost on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely efficient in energy use, particularly when they’re paired together. If you select a gas furnace with an air conditioner with a high SEER rating, you’ll be able to save money on your utility bills throughout the year. For the most efficient efficiency make sure you have a professional perform an energy calculation for your home. This will allow you to determine which size and kind of system is suitable for your home.
Furnaces generate heat by burning fuel using natural or propane gas. The steam is circulated through ductwork, which 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 two systems work like an Goldilocks power couple, ensuring that your home’s temperature is just right, never too cold or too hot.
If you want to increase the efficiency of your system further, you should consider purchasing a brand new variable speed AC unit. This technology permits the air conditioner to run at lower power which lets it better extract moisture from the air.
Heat pumps are a great option for homeowners in mild climates. They can provide heating and cooling without burning fuel. The units transfer heat from the air in your home to the outside air, which cuts down on energy consumption and environmental impact.
A hybrid system–which combines a heat pump with an old-fashioned gas furnace to provide back-up warmth during the coldest winter months is another option. A new high-efficiency heat pump makes use of the exact same technology to transfer warmth from one part of your home to another, but with the addition of a gas furnace for back-up during the coldest winter temperatures.
You can reduce your home’s energy bills by up to 40% when you replace your old, inefficient HVAC system. To get the most energy savings, be sure to install insulation, weatherization, and 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 for 15 to 20 years. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a component starts to get old or suffers from serious issues that affect the efficiency of the unit. If this occurs, homeowners are often faced with the decision of whether to replace the air conditioner or the furnace. It might seem counterintuitive but investing in an HVAC unit that is new when the existing one is still working well is usually the best option for homeowners. They will save the cost of repairs and also reduce the energy bills.
Installing and buying two new HVAC systems can be costly. A furnace and air conditioner combo is more affordable but it is more expensive. Plus, you will only have to maintain the unit once per year instead of twice per year with separate units.
A high-efficiency system is another method to lower the cost of a combination furnace and air conditioner. Modern gas furnaces typically have an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at least 80%, while the majority of AC units have SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or higher. This will help you save money on your energy bills and will reduce your home cooling and heating costs.
When you choose a furnace-AC combination from the same manufacturer and you’ll also benefit from high energy efficiency since the systems work well together. If you decide to choose two different brands, remember that a combination that is not compatible will reduce their efficiency and life span.
Mismatched units can cause serious problems that could lead to leaks of refrigerant and CO which pose a risk to humans. These issues can also damage your HVAC system and your ductwork.
A specialist from Georgia Air Repair can perform precise HVAC repairs on all kinds of equipment. It is important to keep in mind that most manufacturers will not respect their warranties in the event that the units are mixed and matched. Selecting the same air conditioner and furnace will ensure that the unit is installed correctly and is repaired to ensure that it performs at its best throughout its lifespan.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems will work seamlessly together when you install a furnace-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. Choosing a unit that is specifically designed to function with your other HVAC component will save you money and time in the long run. This will ensure that your new and existing 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 can provide you with comfort all year long. They can cool and heat your entire house, unlike window air conditioners that are only effective during summer and can cause CO poisoning in winter. These units are more reliable and durable than other heating and cooling systems.
A furnace and air conditioner combo unit will save you on energy costs too. While traditional HVAC systems have SEER ratings of up to 10, a combination unit is more SEER-rated which means you will enjoy greater energy savings and convenience. You may be able save money by using a heatpump in conjunction with an electric or gas furnace, based on your energy costs.
If you are planning on purchasing your air conditioner and furnace with a loan, you may be interested in a combo unit instead of two separate units. Purchasing two HVAC systems with credit has the result of taking two marks on your credit report, which may negatively impact your borrowing power for a long time. Your credit score will remain not affected by buying an AC/heater unit on authorised credit.
The process of replacing the furnace and AC unit is much less difficult when you use the existing ductwork. Replacing both the air conditioning and furnace will require extensive ductwork and can be costly.
4. Versatility
If you live in climates with moderate temperatures, a furnace and AC combo can be a great option. It will efficiently heat your home during the winter months, and cool it in summer. Also called gas-electric systems, this type of HVAC system uses propane or natural gas to heat your home during the winter and electricity to cool it down during summer. This makes it more flexible than a conventional air conditioner/furnace combination that only works in one way.
Air conditioners make use of a chemical called freon 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 which helps keep your house cool. If your house isn’t well insulate, the process of evaporation could cause the air in your home to lose its cooling ability. This occurs when refrigerant leaks or when the heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces provide heat to your home through combustion, but they are less efficient in terms of heating than air conditioners. They also have a harder to deal with cold temperatures than air conditioners. Many people living in mild climates prefer a heat pump and oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC is a combination of energy-efficient features from an oil furnace with the reliability of an oil stove.
The most important factor to consider when choosing the best combination of AC and furnace is to ensure that it’s sized correctly for your home. A HVAC professional can help determine which HVAC system is the most suitable for your home. They’ll look at factors such as square footage, humidity levels, as well as insulation.
A heating and cooling technician will also help you decide what size furnace and air conditioning unit you need. They will take into consideration your heating and cooling needs as well as any plans for expansion you might have for your home. They will also tell you what incentives and rebates you can get.
Get three estimates from various contractors before you purchase an entirely new HVAC unit. Compare the costs and AFUE rating of each one. Remember that an expert HVAC installation is essential to protect your warranty and ensure your HVAC unit functions properly.
