Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
The same blower is used to distribute conditioned air throughout your house. They can also be controlled via smart thermostats.
If you use a different brand of furnace or AC, your warranty could be voided 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 efficient in energy use, particularly when they’re combined. If you select a gas furnace with an air conditioning unit with an excellent SEER rating, you will reduce your utility bills throughout the year. For the best efficiency results, have a professional do an estimate of the load for your home. This will help you determine the appropriate size and type of system for your home.
Furnaces create heat by burning fuel with natural or propane gas. The steam is circulated through ductwork, which warms 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 maintain your home’s temperature right.
You should consider a variable speed AC unit if you want to boost the energy efficiency of your system. This technology allows the air conditioner to run on less power which lets it better extract moisture from air.
For homeowners living in mild climates the heat pump can provide the heating and cooling they need without burning fuel. They transfer heat from the air inside your home to the outside air, which cut down on energy costs and also reduces environmental impact.
Another option is a hybrid system, which combines the heatpump and gas furnaces to provide back-up heating during coldest months. 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 the addition of a gas furnace for backup in the coldest temperatures.
You can cut the cost of energy for your home by up to 40% if you replace your old inefficient HVAC system. For the best energy savings from your new system, you must install the correct insulation and weatherization, as well as 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 starts to wear out or has serious malfunctions which affect the efficiency of the unit. When this occurs, homeowners are often faced with the decision of whether to replace the air conditioner or the furnace. It might seem counterintuitive, but investing in a new HVAC unit when the existing one is still in good working order is often the best option for homeowners. They will save the cost of repairs and also reduce their energy costs.
Installing and purchasing two HVAC systems new is costly. A combination of air conditioner and furnace is less costly however. Additionally, you’ll only need to maintain the system once a year instead of twice a year with separate units.
A high-efficiency system is yet another method to lower the cost of an air conditioner. Most modern gas furnaces come with an AFUE rating that is at least 80% while most AC units come with an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of up to 16 or more. This will help you save money on your energy bills and reduce your heating and cooling expenses.
If you opt for a furnace and AC combo from the same manufacturer, you’ll also benefit from high energy efficiency and longevity because the two systems cooperate well. If you decide to choose two different brands, keep in mind that a combination that is not compatible will affect their performance and lifespan.
Unmatched units can create serious problems that could cause CO and refrigerant leaks, which are hazardous for humans. These issues can also harm your ductwork, which can affect the efficiency of your HVAC system.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any kind of HVAC equipment. It’s important to remember that the majority of manufacturers will not guarantee their products if the units are mixed and matched. Choosing the identical brand of air conditioner and furnace will ensure that the unit is installed correctly, repaired and performs optimally throughout its life.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems will operate seamlessly 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. You will save time and money by selecting a unit that works well with the other HVAC component. It will also help ensure that your new and old components will work together well without voiding either one’s warranty or causing problems with the HVAC system.
The presence of a furnace and air conditioning unit in your home provides you with all-year-round comfort. Unlike window air conditioners that are only effective in summer and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter they are set up to cool and heat your entire house. They are also more durable and reliable than other types of heating and cooling systems.
A furnace and air conditioner combo unit can save you money on energy costs as well. While traditional HVAC systems come with SEER ratings as high as 10, a combo unit is more SEER-rated which means you will enjoy more energy savings and convenience. It is possible to save money by using a heatpump in conjunction with a gas or electric furnace, depending on your energy costs.
If you are planning to purchase your air conditioner and furnace using a loan, it may be better to go with a combination unit rather than two separate units. The purchase of two HVAC systems with credit has the effect of putting two hits on your credit report, which may negatively impact your borrowing power for a long time. By purchasing a single AC heater and combo unit using an approved credit card your credit score will not take any hits at all.
A furnace and air conditioner combo can also permit you to utilize your existing ductwork, which makes the process less complicated than replacing only an AC unit or a new furnace. The replacement of both the air conditioner and furnace will require extensive ductwork, which could be costly.
4. Versatility
For those who reside in areas with moderate temperatures, a furnace-AC combination is a good choice. It will efficiently heat your home during the winter months, and cool it in summer. Also known as gas-electric systems, this type of HVAC system makes use of propane gas or natural gas to heat your home in the winter and electricity to cool it down in the summer. This makes it more versatile than an air conditioner and furnace combo that can only function in one mode at a time.
Air conditioners make use of an ingredient called freon in order to cool your home. The AC unit first compresses the freon before it evaporates to circulate cool air through your house. It also absorbs heat from surrounding air and helps keep your home cool. If your home isn’t well-insulated then the evaporation process could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This occurs when the refrigerant or heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces make use of combustion to heat your house however they are less efficient than air conditioners when it comes to heating. Air conditioners are also less able to handle cold temperatures. That’s why a lot of 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 an oil furnace with the reliability of an oilstove.
When choosing the best AC/furnace combination, you must ensure that it’s sized correctly for your house. A HVAC expert can help you determine the HVAC system is the most suitable for your home. They’ll consider aspects like area, humidity levels, and insulation.
A specialist in heating and cooling can also help you determine the right size furnace and air conditioner you need. They will take into consideration your heating and cooling needs and any future expansion plans you may have for your home. They’ll also let you know what rebates and incentives you can receive.
Before purchasing a new HVAC system, you should get three estimates from various contractors. Then, you can compare the costs and AFUE ratings of each system. Don’t forget that an expert HVAC installation is crucial to ensure the warranty is protected and that your HVAC unit is working properly.