Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
The same blower is used to distribute conditioned indoor 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 synchronization of the two units can save time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and air conditioners are energy efficient, particularly when paired together. You can save a good amount on your monthly utility costs by selecting a gas heater with an air conditioner that has an SEER rating. A professional can estimate the load for your home to get the most efficient results. This will allow you to determine which size and kind of system is best for your space.
Furnaces generate heat by burning fuel using propane or natural gas. The steam is circulated through ductwork to warm 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 combination of these two systems works like a Goldilocks power coupler, making sure that your home’s temperature will always be just right–never too cold or too hot.
If you want to increase your system’s energy efficiency even further, you should consider purchasing a brand new variable speed AC unit. This technology permits the air conditioner to operate at a lower power, which allows it to better extract moisture from air.
Heat pumps are an excellent option for homeowners living in mild climates. They can provide cooling and heating without burning any fuel. These units transfer heat from the air in your home to the outdoor air, which cuts down on energy consumption and environmental impact.
Another option is a hybrid, which combines the heatpump and gas furnace to provide back-up heating during coldest months. A new high efficiency heat pump uses exactly the same technology to transfer warmth from one part of your home to another but with an additional gas furnace to provide back-up during the coldest winter temperatures.
By replacing your old, inefficient HVAC system with a new high-efficiency furnace and combination, you can reduce your energy bills by up to 40%. To get the most energy savings from your new system, make sure you have the proper insulation and thermostat settings, as well as weatherization.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is 15-30 years and an AC unit can last up to 15 years. The majority of the time an HVAC system is replaced when a component begins to show signs of ageing or suffers from serious malfunctions that compromise its effectiveness. If this occurs, a homeowner is often faced with the decision of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. Although it might seem counterintuitive to invest in an HVAC system that is brand new if your old one is still functioning well, this is typically the most efficient option for homeowners because they will save money on repairs and reduce their energy bills by investing in a modern HVAC system.
Installing and buying two new HVAC systems can be costly. A combination of air conditioner and furnace is more affordable, however. In addition, you only need to service the system once a year instead of twice per year with separate units.
Another way to lower the total cost of a furnace and combination is to opt for a high-efficiency model. Modern gas furnaces are equipped with an AFUE rating of at minimum 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 save money on your energy bills, and reduce your home cooling and heating costs.
If you opt for a furnace and AC combo from the same manufacturer, you’ll also benefit from excellent energy efficiency and durability as the systems will work well together. However, if you go with two different brands, it’s important to remember that a mismatched combination will reduce their longevity and performance.
Unmatched units can cause serious problems that can cause dangerous refrigerant and CO leaks. These issues can also cause damage to your HVAC system and your ductwork.
A specialist from Georgia Air Repair can perform precise HVAC repairs on all kinds of equipment. It’s important to note that most manufacturers will not honor their warranties when you mix and match their units. Making sure you choose the same brand for your air conditioning and furnace will ensure that your unit is installed correctly, repaired, and will offer the best performance over its life.
3. Convenience
When you opt to install a furnace as well as an air conditioner the 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. Choosing a unit that is specifically designed to operate well with your other HVAC component will save your time and money in the long time. This will ensure that your new and existing HVAC components will work well together without voiding any warranties or causing any other damage to the system.
A furnace and air conditioner combo can provide you with all-year-round comfort. In contrast to window air conditioners, which only work in summer and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter, these units are properly installed to heat and cool the entire house. They are also more durable and reliable than other types of cooling and heating systems.
A combination air conditioner and furnace unit can save you money on energy bills as well. While traditional HVAC systems have SEER ratings that range from 0 to 10, a combination unit has a higher SEER value and offers more energy savings and greater convenience. You could save money if you use a heatpump in conjunction with a gas or electric furnace, based on your utility rates.
If you’re thinking of purchasing your air conditioning and furnace through credit, you may think about a combination unit instead of two separate units. Buying two HVAC systems using credit has the effect of putting two hits to your credit report, which could affect your borrowing power for a long time. Your credit score is not affected by buying an AC/heater unit that is financed with credit.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner will also allow you to utilize your existing ductwork, which makes the process much less difficult than replacing only an AC unit or a brand new furnace. The cost of replacing both the furnace and air conditioning is often high.
4. Versatility
For those who live in climates with moderate temperatures, a furnace and AC combination is a good option. It will efficiently heat your home in the winter and cool it down in the summer. This type of HVAC also referred to as gas-electric systems, utilizes natural or propane to heat your home in the winter and electricity in summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner and furnace combo that can only work on one mode at a time.
The chemical freon is employed by air conditioners to cool your home. The AC unit compresses first the freon, and then evaporates to circulate cool air through 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 capability. This happens when the heat exchanger or refrigerant wears out.
Furnaces are a way to heat your home with combustion, but they are not as efficient in terms of heating than air conditioners. Air conditioners are also less able to handle cold temperatures. Many people living in mild climates choose to use the heat pump and oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC combines energy-efficient features from a heatpump with the reliability of an oilstove.
To select the ideal combination of AC and furnace, you need to make sure that it is sized correctly for your house. A HVAC expert can assist you in determining which HVAC system will work best for your home. They’ll take into consideration factors like square footage, humidity levels, and insulation.
A technician who specializes in heating and cooling will assist you in determining the proper size furnace and air conditioner that you need. They will take into consideration your heating and cooling requirements, as well any plans for expansion you may have for your home. They’ll also let you know what incentives and rebates you can get.
Before purchasing a new HVAC system, you should get three quotes from different contractors. Then, you can compare the costs and AFUE ratings for each system. Make sure you have a professional install of your HVAC system is required to protect your warranty.
