Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
The same blower is used to distribute conditioned indoor air throughout your house. They can also be controlled via smart thermostats.
Using a different brand for your furnace and AC could void the warranty on both units. The matching of 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. You can save a significant amount on your monthly utility bills by choosing a gas furnace with an air conditioner with an SEER rating. To get the most efficient results get a professional to do an energy calculation for your home. This will help you determine the appropriate size and type of system for your home.
Furnaces generate heat by burning fuel using propane gas 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. These two systems are like Goldilocks working in tandem to keep your home’s temperature just right.
If you’re looking to improve the efficiency of your system more, think about a new variable speed AC unit. This technology allows the air conditioner to run on less power, which allows it to better extract moisture from the air.
For homeowners living in climates that are moderate A heat pump could provide the heating and cooling they require without burning fuel. They transfer heat out of your home into outside air, reducing the energy cost and affecting the environment.
A hybrid system, which incorporates a heat pump with a traditional gas furnace for back-up warmth during the coldest months — is an alternative. A new high-efficiency heat pump uses exactly the same technology to transfer warmth from one part of your home to another however, it has an additional gas furnace to provide backup during the coldest temperatures.
By replacing your old, inefficient HVAC system with a modern high-efficiency furnace and conditioner combo, you can reduce your energy bills by as much as 40%. To get the most energy savings from your new system, make sure you have the proper insulation and weatherization, as well as 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 typically replaced when a component begins to get old or suffers from serious malfunctions which affect its performance. If this occurs, a homeowner is often faced with the dilemma of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. Although it might seem counterintuitive to invest in a new HVAC system when your old one is still working well, it is usually the best option for homeowners as they can save money on repairs and lower their energy costs with a modern system.
Installing and buying two HVAC systems new could be expensive. A combination of a furnace and air conditioner is less costly, however. You will only have to maintain your system once per year instead of twice as often with separate units.
Another way to reduce the total cost of a furnace and air combination is to go for a high-efficiency unit. Most modern gas furnaces come with an AFUE rating of at minimum 80% while most AC units come with an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of 16 or more. This will help you reduce your energy bills and dramatically reduce your home’s heating and cooling expenses.
If you select a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer, you’ll also benefit from excellent energy efficiency and durability as the systems will work well. However, if you go with two different brands it is important to keep in mind that a mismatched combination will reduce their lifespan and performance.
Mismatched units could cause serious issues that could result in dangerous refrigerant and CO leaks. These problems can also damage your HVAC system and ductwork.
A professional from Georgia Air Repair can perform precise HVAC repairs on any type of equipment. It’s important to remember that the majority of manufacturers will not honor their warranties when the units are mixed and match. Making sure you choose the same manufacturer for your furnace and air conditioning will ensure that the unit is correctly installed and maintained and will give you the best performance over its life.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems will work seamlessly together when you install a furnace and 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. Selecting a unit specifically designed to work with your other HVAC component will save you time and money in the long time. This will ensure that your new and existing HVAC components will work together without voiding any warranties or causing any other damage to the system.
Having a furnace and air conditioning combo in your home will provide you with all-year-round comfort. Unlike window air conditioners that are only effective in the summer months and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning in winter they are set up to heat and cool the entire house. They are more reliable and durable than other heating and cooling systems.
A furnace and air conditioner combo unit can save you money on energy costs too. While traditional HVAC systems come with SEER ratings as high as 10, a combination unit is more SEER-rated, giving you greater energy savings and convenience. It is possible to save money if you use the heatpump along with a gas or electric furnace, depending on your utility rates.
If you’re thinking of buying your air conditioning and furnace using credit, you may be interested in a combo unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases of two HVAC systems could negatively impact your borrowing capacity for years. By purchasing just one 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 can also let you utilize your existing ductwork, which makes the process much less difficult than just replacing an AC unit or a new furnace. Replacing both the air conditioning and furnace will require extensive ductwork and could be costly.
4. Versatility
For those who live in areas that have moderate temperatures, a furnace AC combo can be a great choice. It can efficiently heat your home in the winter and cool it down during summer. Also called gas-electric systems, this type of HVAC system uses natural or propane gas to warm your home in the winter, and electricity to cool it down in the summer. This makes it more flexible than a combination of an air conditioner and furnace which can only function in one way.
Air conditioners make use of a chemical called freon to cool your home. The AC unit compresses first the freon, and then evaporates to circulate cool air throughout your home. It also absorbs heat in the air surrounding your home, which helps keep it cool. If your home isn’t well-insulated then the evaporation cycle could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This happens when the refrigerant leaks or the heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces heat your home using combustion, but they are not as efficient in terms of heating than air conditioners. Air conditioners are also less able to deal with cold temperatures. Many people living in mild climates choose to use a heat pump and oil furnace combination. This kind of HVAC system incorporates energy-efficient features of a heatpump with the reliability of an oilstove.
The most important factor to consider when choosing the right AC/furnace combo is to ensure it’s the right size for your home. An HVAC professional can assist you to determine which HVAC system is best for your home. They’ll look at factors like the size of the room as well as insulation and humidity levels.
A technician in heating and cooling will also help you determine what size furnace and conditioning unit you need. They’ll take into account your heating and cooling requirements, as well any plans for expansion you may have for your home. They will also tell you which rebates and incentives you can get.
Get three estimates from different contractors before you purchase the new HVAC unit. Compare the costs and AFUE ratings of each. Remember that a professional HVAC installation is necessary to ensure the warranty is protected and that your HVAC unit works properly.