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 of your furnace and AC could invalidate your warranty on both units. The matching of the two units can save time and cost on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern air conditioners and furnaces are highly energy efficient, particularly when paired together. You can save a significant amount on your energy costs by selecting a gas furnace with an air conditioner that has a SEER rating. A professional can estimate the load of your home to get the most efficient results. This will allow you to determine which size and type of system is right for your home.
Furnaces generate heat using natural or propane gas to burn fuel and create hot steam. This steam then circulates through ductwork and warms 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 are similar to Goldilocks working in tandem to maintain your home’s temperature right.
Think about a variable-speed AC unit if you’re looking to increase the energy efficiency of your system. This technology permits your air conditioner to run at a lower speed, which helps it to remove moisture from the air, resulting in dry air inside.
Heat pumps are a great option for homeowners in mild climates. They can provide cooling and heating without burning any fuel. These units transfer heat from the air in your home to the outside air, which reduces on energy consumption and environmental impact.
Another option is a hybrid, which combines the heatpump and gas furnace to provide back-up heating during coldest months. A new high-efficiency heat pump can use the same technology to transfer heat from one part of your home to the other however, it comes with a gas furnace to provide back-up in the coldest winter temperatures.
You can cut down your home’s energy bills by up to 40% if you replace your old, inefficient HVAC system. For the greatest savings on energy, make sure to install insulation and weatherization as well as thermostat settings to go with your new system.
2. Longevity
A furnace could last for 15-30 years while an AC unit could last for as long as 15 years. Typically an HVAC system is replaced when a component starts to show signs ageing or the other suffers from serious malfunctions that compromise its effectiveness. The homeowner will usually have to decide whether or not to replace their air conditioner or furnace when this occurs. While it may appear counterintuitive to buy an HVAC system that is brand new if your current one is working well, it is usually the best option for homeowners as they can save money on repairs and reduce their energy bills by investing in a modern HVAC system.
Purchasing and installing two new HVAC systems could be expensive. However, a furnace and air conditioner combination is less expensive. Additionally, you’ll only need to service the system once a year instead of twice per year for separate units.
A high-efficiency system is a different method to lower the cost of an air conditioner. The majority of modern gas furnaces have an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at minimum 80%, whereas most AC units have SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or more. This will allow you to 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 will also enjoy an excellent energy efficiency because the two systems are compatible. If you decide to go with two different brands it’s important to note that a mix of brands will decrease their lifespan and performance.
Incorrectly matched units can cause serious problems that can lead to dangerous refrigerant leaks and CO. These problems can also damage your HVAC system and ductwork.
A professional from Georgia Air Repair can perform precise HVAC repairs on all kinds of equipment. It is crucial to keep in mind that most manufacturers will not respect their warranties when the units are mixed and matched. Making sure you choose the same brand for your furnace and air conditioning will ensure that your unit is correctly installed and maintained, and will offer the highest performance throughout its lifetime.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems will seamlessly integrate when you install a furnace-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. Choosing a unit specifically designed to function with your other HVAC component will save your time and money in the long time. This will ensure that the new and existing HVAC components work together without voiding warranties or causing any other problems to the system.
A furnace and air conditioner combo will provide you with peace of mind all year round. They can cool and heat the entire home, unlike window air conditioners that are only effective in summer and can cause CO poisoning in winter. These units are more reliable and durable than other heating and cooling systems.
A furnace and air conditioner combo unit will save you on energy costs too. While conventional HVAC systems have SEER ratings as high as 10, a combo unit has a higher SEER value and offers more energy savings and convenience. You may be able save money by using an air conditioner in conjunction with an electric or gas furnace, based on the rates you pay for utilities.
If you are planning to purchase your furnace and air conditioner with a loan, it may be better to select an integrated unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases for two HVAC systems can negatively affect your borrowing capacity over the course of years. By purchasing a single AC heater and combo unit using an approved credit card your credit score won’t be affected in any way.
The procedure of replacing the furnace and AC unit is much easier using your existing ductwork. The replacement of both the air conditioner and furnace will require extensive ductwork that could be costly.
4. Versatility
A furnace and AC combo is a great option for those living in mild climates. It will efficiently heat your home in the winter and cool it down in the summer. Also known as gas-electric systems, this kind of HVAC system makes use natural or propane gas to heat your home during the winter, and electricity to cool it down in the summer. This makes it more flexible than a conventional air conditioner/furnace combination which can only function in one way.
The chemical freon is employed by air conditioners to cool your house. The AC unit first compresses the freon, which then evaporates to circulate cool air through your home. It also absorbs heat from surrounding air which helps keep your home cool. But if your home isn’t well-insulated then the evaporation cycle can cause the air to lose its cooling power. This occurs when the refrigerant leaks or when the heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces provide heat to your home through combustion, but they are less efficient in heating than air conditioners. They also have a tougher time dealing with cold temperatures than air conditioners. Many people in mild climates opt for an oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC incorporates energy-efficient features of heatpump and the reliability of an oilstove.
The most important factor to consider when choosing the right combination of air conditioner and furnace is making sure it’s the right size for your home. A HVAC expert can help you determine which HVAC system will work best for your home. They’ll look at factors like the size of the room as well as insulation and the level of humidity.
A technician in heating and cooling can also assist you in deciding the size of furnace and air conditioner you require. They’ll consider your cooling and heating needs and any plans for future expansions to your home. They’ll also inform you which incentives and rebates you could receive.
Before you buy a new HVAC system, you should get three estimates from various contractors. Compare the costs and AFUE ratings of each one. Don’t forget that an HVAC installation by a professional is crucial to protect your warranty and ensure your HVAC unit works properly.
