Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Furnace and air conditioner combos make use of the same blower to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They also work with smart thermostats that allow for individual control.
If you use an alternative brand of furnace and AC the warranty may be void for both units. Combining the two units can save time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern air conditioners and furnaces are energy efficient, particularly when they are used in conjunction. If you select gas furnaces with an air conditioner with an impressive SEER rating, you will save money on your energy bills throughout the year. A professional can estimate the load of your home to get the most efficient results. This will help you decide the right size and type of system for your home.
Furnaces produce heat by burning fuel using propane gas or natural gas. The steam is then circulated through ductwork to warm 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. Both systems are like Goldilocks working in tandem to maintain your home’s temperature right.
If you’re looking to boost the efficiency of your system further, you should consider purchasing a brand new, variable speed AC unit. This technology permits your air conditioner to run at a lower rate, which helps it to remove moisture from the air, which results in drier indoor air.
For homeowners who live in climates that are moderate, a heat pump can provide the heating and cooling they require without burning any fuel. They transfer heat from the air inside your home to the outdoor air, which cut down on energy costs and also reduces environmental impact.
Another option is a hybrid system that blends an electric heatpump with a gas furnace to provide back-up heating during coldest months. A new high efficiency heat pump will use exactly the same technology to transfer warmth from one region of your home to another but with an additional gas furnace to provide backup in the coldest temperatures.
You can cut down your home’s energy bills by up to 40% if you replace your old, inefficient HVAC system. For the best energy savings from your new HVAC system, install the right insulation, weatherization and thermostat settings.
2. Longevity
A furnace can last 15-30 years while an AC unit can last for up to 15 years. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a component starts to get old or suffers from serious problems that compromise its efficiency. A homeowner will often have to decide whether or not to replace their air conditioner or furnace when this happens. It might seem counterintuitive but investing in an HVAC unit that is new when the existing one is still in good working order is often the best choice for homeowners. They can save money on repairs and reduce their energy costs.
Purchasing and installing two new HVAC systems could be expensive. However an air conditioner set-up is less expensive. You’ll only need to service your system every year instead of twice often with separate units.
Another way to reduce the total cost of a furnace and combination is to opt for a high-efficiency unit. Most modern gas furnaces have an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at minimum 80%, whereas most AC units come with SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or greater. This can help you save on your energy bills and drastically reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs.
If you select a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer, you’ll also enjoy excellent energy efficiency and long-lasting performance because the two systems cooperate well. However, if you go with two different brands it is important to keep in mind that a combination that is not compatible will decrease their lifespan and performance.
Mismatched units could cause serious issues that could result in dangerous CO and refrigerant leaking. These issues can also damage your ductwork and affect the effectiveness of your HVAC system.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any type of HVAC equipment. It is crucial to keep in mind that the majority of manufacturers won’t guarantee their products if the units are mixed and match. Making sure you choose the same manufacturer for your air conditioning and furnace will ensure that the unit is correctly installed and maintained, and will offer the best performance throughout its lifetime.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems can operate seamlessly 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. You will save time and money by choosing the unit that is compatible with the other HVAC component. It will also help to ensure that your new and existing components will work together perfectly without voiding one’s warranty or causing other issues with the HVAC system.
A furnace and air conditioning unit in your home will provide you with year round comfort. They can cool and heat your entire home, unlike 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 furnace and air conditioner combo unit will save you on energy bills as well. A combination unit offers a higher SEER rating than traditional HVAC systems. This allows you to save more energy and also enjoy more convenience. Depending on your rates for utilities and the climate, you might even be able to save money by using a heating pump in conjunction with an electric or gas furnace.
If you plan to purchase your air conditioner and furnace with a loan, it may be better to go with a combination unit rather than two separate units. Credit card purchases for two HVAC systems could negatively impact your borrowing capacity for years. By purchasing a single AC heater combo unit with a credit card that is approved, your credit score won’t take any hits at all.
The replacement of a furnace and AC unit is much less difficult when you make use of the ductwork you have already installed. The cost of replacing both the furnace and air conditioning is often high.
4. Versatility
For those who reside in areas that have moderate temperatures, a furnace-AC combo can be a great option. It can heat your home efficiently in the winter, and cool it in the summer. Also known as gas-electric systems this kind of HVAC system makes use 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 a conventional air conditioner/furnace combination which can only function in one way.
Air conditioners utilize the chemical freon to cool your home. The AC unit first compresses the freon, and then evaporates to circulate cool air throughout your home. It also absorbs heat from the surrounding air and keeps your home cool. If your home is not properly insulate, the process of evaporation could cause the air in your home to lose its cooling ability. This occurs when the heat exchanger or refrigerant wears out.
Furnaces utilize combustion to heat your home but they are not as efficient than air conditioners in terms of heating. Air conditioners are also less able to handle cold temperatures. A lot of people living in mild climates choose to use a heat pump and oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC system incorporates the energy-efficient features of a heat-pump with the reliability of an oil furnace.
To choose the right combination of AC and furnace, you need to make sure that it is appropriate for the space you live in. A HVAC professional can help determine which HVAC system is the most suitable for your home. They’ll consider factors like square footage, insulation, and the level of humidity.
A specialist in heating and cooling can assist you in determining the right size furnace and air conditioner you need. They’ll consider your heating and cooling requirements and any plans for future expansions to your home. They’ll also inform you what incentives and rebates you could receive.
Get three quotes from different contractors before purchasing a new HVAC unit. Then, you can compare the costs and AFUE ratings for each system. Make sure you get an expert HVAC installation is crucial to ensure the warranty is protected and that your HVAC unit is working properly.
