Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Air conditioner and furnace combination units use the same blower to distribute the conditioned air throughout your home. They can also be controlled by smart thermostats.
Using a different brand for your furnace and AC could void your warranty on both units. The matching of the two units can save you time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely energy efficient, especially when they’re paired together. By choosing gas furnaces that come with air conditioner with an excellent SEER rating, you can save money on your utility bills throughout the year. For the most efficient efficiency make sure you have a professional perform a load calculation for your home. This will help you determine what size and kind of system is suitable for your space.
Furnaces generate heat by using propane or natural gas to burn fuel to create hot steam, which then circulates through ductwork, warming 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. These two systems are like Goldilocks working in tandem to keep your home’s temperature right.
If you want to increase your system’s energy efficiency even more, think about a new variable speed AC unit. This technology allows the air conditioner to run at a lower power, which allows it to better extract moisture from the air.
Heat pumps are a great option for homeowners in mild climates. They can provide cooling and heating without burning fuel. These units transfer heat from the air inside your home to outdoor air, which reduces on energy costs and also reduces environmental impact.
A hybrid system–which combines a heat pump with an old-fashioned gas furnace to provide backup warmth during the coldest winter months is another option. A new high-efficiency heat pump makes use of exactly the 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.
By replacing your old inefficient HVAC system with a brand new high-efficiency furnace and combination, you can reduce your energy costs by as much as 40%. For the best energy savings from your new HVAC system, make sure you have the proper insulation, weatherization and thermostat settings.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is between 15 and 30 years and an AC unit can last up to 15 years. HVAC systems are typically replaced when a component begins to wear out or has serious problems that compromise the efficiency of the unit. A homeowner is often forced to decide whether or not to replace their furnace or air conditioner when this occurs. While it may appear counterintuitive to buy an HVAC system that is new when the old one is working well, it is often the most beneficial option for homeowners since they will save on repair bills and cut their energy bills with a newer system.
The purchase and installation of two HVAC systems new could be expensive. However, a furnace and air conditioner set-up is less expensive. You will only have to maintain your system once per year instead of twice often with separate units.
Another method to cut down on the total cost of a furnace and air combination is to go for a high-efficiency unit. Modern gas furnaces are equipped with an AFUE rating of at least 80% while most AC units have an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of 16 or more. This will save you money on your energy bills, and will reduce your home cooling and heating costs.
If you opt for a furnace and AC combo from the same manufacturer you’ll also enjoy excellent energy efficiency and durability as the systems will cooperate well. If you choose two different brands, remember that a mismatched combo can affect their efficiency and life span.
Mismatched units could cause serious problems and result in dangerous CO and refrigerant leaking. These issues could also cause damage to your ductwork, which can affect the efficiency of your HVAC system.
A professional from Georgia Air Repair can perform accurate HVAC repairs on all kinds of equipment. It is important to keep in mind that most manufacturers will not honor their warranties in the event that the units are mixed and match. Choosing the same manufacturer for your furnace and air conditioning will ensure that the unit is correctly installed and maintained and will give you the highest performance throughout its lifetime.
3. Convenience
If you decide to install a furnace and conditioner combo, both HVAC systems are designed to work together 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 selecting 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 any warranties or causing any other issues to the system.
A furnace and air conditioner combination will give you comfort all year long. They can cool and heat the entire house, unlike window air conditioners which are only effective during summer and can cause CO poisoning in winter. They are more durable and reliable than other cooling and heating systems.
You can also reduce your energy bills by using a furnace and conditioning unit. A combination unit has more SEER than conventional HVAC systems. This enables you to save more energy and also enjoy more convenience. Depending on your utility rates and the climate, you might even be in a position to save money by using a heat pump when combined with a gas or electric furnace.
If you are planning to purchase your air conditioner and furnace with a loan, it may be better to select an integrated unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases of two HVAC systems could negatively impact your borrowing capacity for years. By purchasing a single AC heater and combo unit using a credit card that is approved, your credit score will not be affected in any way.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner will also allow you to utilize your existing ductwork, which makes the process less complicated than replacing only an AC unit or a new furnace. Replacing both the AC and furnace will require extensive ductwork that can be costly.
4. Versatility
A furnace AC combination is a fantastic option for those living in mild climates. It is efficient in heating your home during winter and cool it in the summer. This type of HVAC is also referred to as gas-electric systems, uses propane or natural gas to heat your house in winter and electric in the summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner and furnace combination, which can only operate on one mode at a time.
The chemical freon is employed by air conditioners to cool your house. The AC unit compresses freon, which is then evaporated to circulate cool dry air throughout your home. It also absorbs heat from surrounding air, which keeps your home cool. However, if your house isn’t properly insulated, the evaporation process could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This occurs when the heat exchanger or refrigerant wears out.
Furnaces heat your home using combustion, but are less efficient in terms of heating than air conditioners. They also have a harder time dealing with cold temperatures than air conditioners. A lot of people living in mild climates choose to use the heat pump and oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC is a combination of energy-efficient features from heatpump and the reliability of an oil stove.
The most important factor to consider when choosing the right AC/furnace combo is to ensure it’s properly sized for your home. An HVAC expert can help you determine which HVAC system is best for your house. They’ll consider aspects like the square footage, the humidity levels, and insulation.
A technician who specializes in heating and cooling can also help you determine the size furnace and air conditioner that you require. They will take into consideration your heating and cooling needs as well as any future expansion plans you might have for your home. They’ll also explain what types of incentives and rebates are available to you.
Before you buy a new HVAC system, you must obtain three quotes from different contractors. Then, compare the costs and AFUE ratings for each system. Be aware that a professional installation of your HVAC system is necessary to protect your warranty.