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 work with smart thermostats to provide individualized control.
If you use a different brand of furnace and AC the warranty may be void for both units. The matching of the two units could save time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely efficient in energy use, particularly when they’re combined. If you select a gas furnace with an air conditioner with an excellent SEER rating, you can reduce your energy bills throughout the year. To get the most efficient results make sure you have a professional perform an energy calculation for your home. This will help you determine what size and kind of system is suitable for your space.
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 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 two systems functions as an Goldilocks power coupler, making sure that your home’s temperature is always just right, never too hot or cold.
Consider a variable-speed AC unit if you wish to increase the energy efficiency of your system. This technology permits the air conditioner to run at less power and lets it better extract moisture from the air.
The heat pumps are a fantastic option for homeowners in mild climates. They can provide cooling and heating without burning fuel. These units transfer heat out of your home to the outside air, which reduces the cost of energy and affecting the environment.
A hybrid system that includes a heat pump and traditional gas furnaces to provide back-up warmth during the coldest months–is an alternative. A new high-efficiency heat pump will use the exact same technology to transfer warmth from one area of your home to another, but with an additional gas furnace to provide backup during the coldest temperatures.
You can reduce your energy costs for your home by up to 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 between 15 and 30 years, while an AC unit can last up to 15 years. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a component starts to get old or suffers from serious malfunctions which affect its performance. A homeowner will often have to decide if they want to replace their air conditioner or furnace when this occurs. While it might appear counterintuitive to buy an HVAC system that is new when the old one is functioning well, this is usually the most efficient option for homeowners because they can save on repair bills and reduce their energy bills with a modern system.
The purchase and installation of two new HVAC systems can be expensive. A combination of air conditioner and furnace is more affordable but it is more expensive. Plus, you will only need to maintain the system once a year instead of twice per year with separate units.
Another method to cut down on the total cost of a furnace as well as air combination is to opt for a high-efficiency unit. The majority of modern gas furnaces come with an AFUE rating that is 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 help you reduce your energy costs and significantly decrease your home heating and cooling costs.
When you choose a furnace-AC combination from the same manufacturer, you will also enjoy an excellent energy efficiency because the two systems are compatible. However, if you go with two different brands it’s important to note that a mismatched combination will reduce their lifespan and performance.
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 cause damage to your HVAC system and ductwork.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any type of HVAC equipment. It’s important to know that the majority of manufacturers won’t honor their warranties if you mix and match their units. Selecting the same brand of air conditioner and furnace will ensure that the unit is installed correctly and repaired, and will perform optimally over its lifetime.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems can work seamlessly together when you install a furnace 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. Selecting a unit specifically designed to operate well with your other HVAC component will save you money and time in the long time. It will also help to ensure that your new and existing components will work together effectively without voiding the other’s warranty or causing any other issues with the HVAC system.
A furnace and air conditioner combination will provide you with comfort all year long. These units can cool and heat your entire house, in contrast to window air conditioners, which are only effective during the summer months and can lead to CO poisoning in winter. They are more durable and reliable than other cooling and heating systems.
A furnace and air conditioner combo unit will save you on energy costs as well. Combination units have an increased SEER rating than conventional HVAC systems. This enables you to conserve energy and enjoy greater convenience. You may be able save money by using the heatpump along with a gas or electric furnace, based on your utility rates.
If you are planning on buying your air conditioning and furnace using credit, you may be interested in a combo unit instead of two separate units. The purchase of two HVAC systems using credit has the effect of taking two hits on your credit report, which can negatively impact your borrowing power for a long time. By purchasing just one AC heater with an approved credit card, your credit score won’t suffer any damage at all.
The process of replacing a furnace and AC unit is much less difficult when you use your existing ductwork. The cost of replacing both the air conditioning and furnace is often high.
4. Versatility
A furnace AC combination is a fantastic option for those who live in moderate climates. It can efficiently heat your home in winter and cool it during summer. Also known as gas-electric systems, this type of HVAC system makes use of propane or natural gas to heat your home in the winter and electricity to cool it down in summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner/furnace combo that can only work 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 in the air surrounding your home, which helps keep it cool. If your home isn’t properly insulated, the evaporation cycle can cause the air to lose its cooling power. This occurs when the refrigerant or heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces utilize combustion to heat your home, 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. This is why many people living in mild climates opt for an oil furnace and heat pump combination. This kind of HVAC system is a combination of energy-efficient features from a heatpump with the reliability of an oilstove.
When choosing the best combination of AC and furnace, you need to ensure that it’s right-sized for your home. A HVAC expert can assist you in determining which HVAC system will work best for your home. They’ll consider factors such as the square footage, the humidity levels, and insulation.
A technician who specializes in cooling and heating will assist you in determining the proper size furnace and air conditioner you need. They’ll take into account your heating and cooling needs, as well any future expansion plans you may have for your home. They’ll also let you know which incentives and rebates you could receive.
Get three estimates from various contractors before purchasing an entirely new HVAC unit. Then, you can compare the costs and AFUE ratings for each system. Remember that a professional HVAC installation is crucial to guarantee your warranty and ensure that your HVAC unit functions properly.