Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Air conditioner and furnace combination units use the same blower to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They can also be controlled by smart thermostats.
If you use another model of furnace and AC the warranty may be void on both units. The matching of two units can save you time and cost on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and air conditioners are highly energy efficient, especially when paired together. You can save a great deal on your utility bills by selecting a natural gas heater with an air conditioner that has SEER ratings. To get the most efficient results get a professional to do an energy calculation for your home. This will help you determine the proper size and type of system that is appropriate for your space.
Furnaces create heat by burning fuel using propane 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. The combination of these two systems works like a Goldilocks power coupler, making sure that your home’s temperature is always just right, never too hot or cold.
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 less power, which lets it better extract moisture from air.
Heat pumps are an excellent alternative for homeowners living in mild climates. They are able to provide cooling and heating without burning fuel. The units transfer heat from your home to the outside air, reducing energy costs and impact on the environment.
A hybrid system that combines 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 makes use of the same technology to transfer warmth from one area 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 conditioner combo, you can reduce your energy costs by as much as 40%. To get the most energy savings from your new system, you must install the correct insulation and thermostat settings, as well as weatherization.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace can be between 15 and 30 years, while an AC unit can last for 15 to 20 years. The majority of the time, an HVAC system is replaced when one part begins to show signs of getting old or suffers from serious malfunctions which affect its performance. When this occurs, a homeowner is often faced with the decision of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. Although it might appear counterintuitive to buy a new HVAC system when your old one is still operating well, it’s often the most efficient option for homeowners because they can save on repair bills and reduce their energy bills by investing in a modern HVAC system.
The purchase and installation of two new HVAC systems can be expensive. However the furnace and air conditioner set-up is much less costly. In addition, you only need to maintain the unit once per year instead of twice a year for separate units.
Another method to cut down on the overall cost of a furnace and combination is to go for a high-efficiency unit. Modern gas furnaces are equipped with an AFUE rating of at least 80 percent, while the majority of AC units come with an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of up to 16 or more. This will help you reduce your energy bills and dramatically reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs.
If you opt for a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer, you’ll also benefit from high energy efficiency and long-lasting performance as the systems will work well together. If you decide to choose two different brands, keep in mind that a mismatched combination can affect their efficiency and life span.
Mismatched units could cause serious problems and lead to dangerous refrigerant leaks and CO. These problems can also damage your HVAC system and ductwork.
A specialist from Georgia Air Repair can perform precise HVAC repairs on any kind of equipment. However, it’s important to know that the majority of manufacturers will not honor their warranties in the event that you mix and match their units. Choosing the identical brand of furnace and air conditioner will ensure that the unit is properly installed, repaired and performs optimally throughout its lifespan.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems operate seamlessly when you install a furnace 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. Choosing a unit specifically designed to work with your other HVAC component will save you time and money in the long time. It will also help to ensure that your existing and new components will function well without voiding either one’s warranty or causing any other issues with the HVAC system.
A furnace and air conditioner combo will give you all-year-round comfort. They can cool and heat your entire home, unlike window air conditioners, which are only effective in summer and can cause CO poisoning in winter. They are more durable and reliable than other heating and cooling systems.
A combination furnace and air conditioner unit will save you on energy costs too. While traditional HVAC systems have SEER ratings as high as 10, a combination unit has a higher SEER rating which means you will enjoy greater energy savings and convenience. It is possible to save money by using a heatpump in conjunction with an electric or gas furnace, based on the rates you pay for utilities.
If you’re thinking of purchasing your air conditioner and furnace through a loan, you may think about a combination unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases for two HVAC systems could negatively affect your borrowing capacity over the course of years. Your credit score will be unaffected by the purchase of a single AC/heater combo unit that is financed with credit.
The procedure of replacing the furnace and AC unit is much easier when you use the existing ductwork. Replacing both the air conditioning and furnace will require extensive ductwork that can be costly.
4. Versatility
For those who reside in areas with moderate temperatures, a furnace and AC combination is a good choice. It can heat your home efficiently in the winter and cool it down in the summer. This type of HVAC system, also known as gas-electric systems, uses natural or propane to heat your home in winter and electric during summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner/furnace combo that only works in one mode.
Air conditioners make use of a chemical called freon 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 in the air surrounding your home, which helps to keep it cool. However, if your house isn’t well-insulated, the evaporation process could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This occurs when the refrigerant or heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces use combustion to heat your home but they are not as efficient than air conditioners in terms of heating. Air conditioners are not able to withstand cold temperatures. That’s why a lot of people living in climates with moderate temperatures opt for a heat pump oil furnace combination. This type 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 that it’s sized correctly for your home. A HVAC professional can help determine which HVAC system is the most suitable for your home. They’ll consider aspects like area, humidity levels, and insulation.
A technician for heating and cooling will also help you decide what size furnace and air conditioning unit you need. They’ll take into account the needs of your heating and cooling, as well as any future expansion plans for your home. They’ll also explain the types of rebates and incentives are available to you.
Get three quotes from different contractors prior to purchasing the new HVAC unit. Then, compare the prices and the AFUE ratings of each. Make sure you have a professional install of your HVAC system is essential to protect your warranty.