Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Air conditioner and furnace combos make use of the same blower to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They also integrate with smart thermostats that allow for individual control.
If you are using another brand of furnace or AC, your warranty could be void on both units. The synchronization of the two units could save time and cost on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern air conditioners and furnaces are extremely energy efficient, particularly when used together. You can save a good amount on your monthly utility bills by selecting a natural gas furnace with an air conditioner that has an SEER rating. A professional can estimate the load of your home to get the best results. This will help determine which size and kind of system is best for your home.
Furnaces produce heat by burning fuel using propane gas or natural gas. The steam is circulated through ductwork to warm 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 just right.
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 run at a lower speed and helps it to remove moisture from the air, leading to less humid indoor air.
Heat pumps are a great alternative for homeowners living in mild climates. They can provide heating and cooling without burning fuel. They transfer heat from your home into outside air, which reduces energy costs and impact on the environment.
Another option is a hybrid that blends a heatpump with a gas furnace to provide back-up heating during the coldest winter months. A new high-efficiency heat pump makes use of exactly the same technology to transfer warmth from one part of your home to another but with a gas furnace added for backup during the coldest temperatures.
By replacing your old inefficient HVAC system with a modern, high-efficiency furnace and air conditioner combo, you can reduce your energy costs by as much as 40 percent. However, for the best savings on energy, make sure to install proper insulation, weatherization, and thermostat settings in conjunction with your new system.
2. Longevity
A furnace can last 15-30 years while an AC unit could last for up to 15 years. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a part begins to age or suffers 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 the furnace. It may seem counterintuitive, but investing in a new HVAC unit even if the one you have is still functioning well is usually the best option for homeowners. They can save money on repairs and cut down on their energy costs.
Purchasing and installing two HVAC systems new can be costly. A combination of a furnace and air conditioner is much less expensive however. Plus, you will only need to service the system once a year instead of twice per year 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 model. Modern gas furnaces typically come with an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at minimum 80%, whereas the majority of AC units come with SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or greater. This will allow you to reduce your energy costs and drastically reduce your home’s cooling and heating costs.
If you select a furnace and AC combo from the same company, you will also enjoy high energy efficiency since the two systems are compatible. If you choose two brands, be aware that a mismatched combination can affect their efficiency and longevity.
Incorrectly matched units can cause serious problems and cause dangerous refrigerant and CO leaks. These problems could also result in damage to your HVAC system and your ductwork.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any kind of HVAC equipment. However, it’s important to know that the majority of manufacturers won’t honor their warranties when you mix and match their units. Making sure you choose the same manufacturer for your furnace and air conditioning will ensure that the unit is installed correctly, repaired and will give you the highest performance throughout its life.
3. Convenience
When you opt to install a furnace as well as an air conditioner combination 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. You will save time and money by selecting the unit that is compatible with the other HVAC component. It will also help ensure that your new and old components will work together effectively without voiding the other’s warranty or causing problems with the HVAC system.
A furnace and air conditioning unit in your home provides you with year round comfort. These units can cool and heat the entire house, in contrast to window air conditioners which are only effective in summer and can cause CO poisoning in winter. These units are more reliable and durable than other cooling and heating systems.
A combination air conditioner and furnace unit will save you on energy costs too. Combination units have more SEER than traditional HVAC systems. This enables you to save more energy and enjoy greater convenience. Depending on your rates for utilities and climate, you may even be able to save money by using a heating pump in conjunction with a gas or electric furnace.
If you’re thinking of purchasing your air conditioner and furnace through the aid of a loan, you might want to consider a combo unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases of two HVAC systems can negatively affect your borrowing capacity for years. By purchasing just one AC heater and combo unit using an approved credit card your credit score will not be affected in any way.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner can also let you use your existing ductwork, which makes the process less complicated than just replacing an AC unit or a new furnace. Replacing both the AC and furnace will require extensive ductwork that could be expensive.
4. Versatility
For those who live in climates with moderate temperatures, a furnace AC combination is a good option. It can efficiently heat your home during winter months and cool it down during summer. This type of HVAC system, also known as gas-electric systems, uses propane or natural gas to heat your home in the winter months and power during summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner/furnace combo that only works in one mode.
The chemical freon is employed by air conditioners to cool your home. The AC unit compresses freon which is then evaporated to circulate cool dry air throughout your home. It also absorbs heat from the air around your home, which helps keep it cool. But if your home isn’t well-insulated, the evaporation cycle can cause the air to lose its cooling power. This happens when the heat exchanger or refrigerant wears out.
Furnaces heat your home using combustion, but are less efficient in heating than air conditioners. Air conditioners are not able to withstand cold temperatures. Many people in mild climates opt for the heat pump and oil furnace combination. This kind of HVAC system combines the energy-efficient features of a heat pump along with the reliability of an oil furnace.
The most important factor to consider when choosing the best combination of AC and furnace is making sure it’s properly sized for your home. A HVAC expert can assist you in determining the HVAC system is the most suitable for your home. They’ll look at factors like area as well as insulation and humidity levels.
A heating and cooling technician can also assist you in deciding the size of furnace and air conditioner you need. They’ll consider your cooling and heating needs and any future expansion plans for your home. They will also tell you which incentives and rebates you could receive.
Before you buy a new HVAC system, you must obtain three quotes from different contractors. Compare the costs and AFUE rating of each one. Remember that a professional installation of your HVAC system is essential to protect your warranty.
