Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Air conditioner and furnace combination units use the same blower to distribute the conditioned air throughout your home. They also integrate with smart thermostats to provide individualized control.
Using a different brand for your furnace and AC could invalidate your warranty on both units. The two units being matched saves time and money when it comes to maintenance and repairs.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and air conditioners are highly energy efficient, especially when paired together. You can save a good deal on your utility bills by selecting a natural gas heater and an air conditioner with an SEER rating. To get the most efficient results get a professional to do an estimate of the load for your home. This will allow you to determine which size and type of system is right for your home.
Furnaces produce heat by using natural or propane gas to burn fuel to create hot steam. The steam then circulates through ductwork, warming the 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 two systems functions as an Goldilocks power coupler, making sure that your home’s temperature is just right, never too hot or cold.
You should consider a variable speed AC unit if you’re looking to increase the efficiency of your system. This technology allows the air conditioner to run at a lower capacity and helps it to remove moisture from the air, resulting in less humid indoor air.
For homeowners who live in mild climates A heat pump could provide the cooling and heating they require without burning any fuel. These units transfer heat from the air inside your home to the outside air, which reduces on energy costs and also reduces environmental impact.
A hybrid system, which includes a heat pump and a traditional gas furnace for back-up warmth in the coldest months–is another option. A new high efficiency heat pump makes use of exactly the same technology to transfer warmth from one region of your home to another however, it has a gas furnace added 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. However, for the best energy savings, be sure to install insulation and weatherization settings to go with your new system.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is between 15 and 30 years and an AC unit can last 15-20 years. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a component begins to wear out or has serious malfunctions which affect its performance. If this occurs, homeowners are often faced with the choice of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. While it may seem counterintuitive to invest in an HVAC system that is brand new if your old one is still working well, it 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 purchasing two HVAC systems new is costly. However the furnace and air conditioner combination is less expensive. You will only have to maintain your system once a yr, instead of twice as often with separate units.
A high-efficiency system is yet another method to lower the cost of the combination furnace and air conditioner. The majority of modern gas furnaces have an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at least 80%, while most AC units have SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or greater. This will help you save money on your energy bills, and lower your home cooling and heating costs.
If you select a furnace and AC combo from the same manufacturer you’ll also benefit from excellent energy efficiency and long-lasting performance as the systems will cooperate well. However, if you go with two different brands, it’s important to remember that a combination that is not compatible will decrease their life span and performance.
Unmatched units can create serious problems that can lead to CO and refrigerant leaks which pose a risk to humans. These issues could also cause damage to your ductwork and affect the efficiency of your HVAC system.
A professional from Georgia Air Repair can perform accurate HVAC repairs on all kinds of equipment. However, it’s important to note that most manufacturers will not honor their warranty when you mix and match their units. Making sure you choose the same manufacturer for your air conditioner and furnace will ensure that the unit is installed correctly and maintained, and will offer the best performance over its life.
3. Convenience
If you decide to install a furnace as well as an air conditioner combination 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. Selecting a unit specifically designed to work with your other HVAC component will save your time and money in the long in the long run. It will also help to ensure that your new and existing components will work effectively without voiding the other’s warranty or causing other issues with the HVAC system.
The presence of a furnace and air conditioning unit in your home provides you with year round comfort. In contrast to window air conditioners, which are only effective in summer and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning in winter the units are set up to cool and heat your entire house. They are more reliable and durable than other heating and cooling systems.
Additionally, you can save on energy costs by making use of a furnace and air conditioner unit. While conventional HVAC systems come with SEER ratings as high as 10, a combination unit has a higher SEER value which means you will enjoy greater energy savings and convenience. Depending on your energy costs and the climate, you might even be saving money by using a heating pump when combined with a gas or electric furnace.
If you’re thinking of buying your air conditioning and furnace using a loan, you may be interested in a combo unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases of two HVAC systems can adversely affect your borrowing capacity for years. If you purchase a single AC heater combo unit with a credit card that is approved, your credit score will not take any hits at all.
The process of replacing the furnace and AC unit is much less difficult when you use the existing ductwork. Replacing both the air conditioning and furnace will require extensive ductwork and could be expensive.
4. Versatility
For those who live in areas with moderate temperatures, a furnace-AC combination is a good option. It can efficiently heat your home during winter and cool it during summer. Also known as gas-electric systems this kind of HVAC system makes use propane gas or natural gas to warm your home in the winter months and electricity to cool it down in the summer. This makes it more flexible than a combination of an air conditioner and furnace that can only work in one way.
The chemical freon is used by air conditioners to cool your home. The AC unit compresses freon that is then evaporated to circulate cool dry air through your home. It also absorbs heat in the air around your home, which helps keep it cool. But if your home isn’t properly insulated, the evaporation cycle could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This occurs when the heat exchanger or refrigerant wears out.
Furnaces make use of combustion to heat your house but they are not as efficient than air conditioners in terms of heating. Air conditioners are not able to withstand cold temperatures. This is why many people who live in mild climates opt for an oil furnace and heat pump combination. This kind of HVAC incorporates the energy-efficient features of a heat-pump with the reliability of an oil furnace.
The key to selecting the right AC/furnace combo is to ensure that it’s the right size for your home. A HVAC professional can help determine which HVAC system will work best for your home. They’ll consider factors like the square footage, the levels of humidity, and insulation.
A specialist in cooling and heating will also assist you in determining the right size furnace and air conditioner you need. They’ll consider the needs of your heating and cooling, as well as any plans for future expansions to your home. They’ll also explain the types of incentives and rebates are available to you.
Before you buy a new HVAC system, it is recommended to get three quotes from different contractors. Compare the prices and AFUE ratings of each system. Make sure you get an HVAC installation by a professional is essential to guarantee your warranty and ensure that your HVAC unit functions properly.