Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Furnace and air conditioner combos make use of the same blower to distribute the conditioned air throughout your house. They also integrate with smart thermostats that allow for individual control.
If you use an alternative brand of furnace or AC your warranty may be void on both units. The synchronization of the two units can save you time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely energy efficient, particularly when they’re paired together. You can save a great amount on your monthly utility costs by selecting a gas furnace with an air conditioner that has SEER ratings. For the most efficient efficiency, have a professional do an estimate of the load for your home. This will help you determine the proper size and type of system for your home.
Furnaces generate heat by using propane or natural gas to burn fuel and create hot steam. The steam then circulates through ductwork, warming 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 and work together to maintain your home’s temperature right.
If you’re looking to improve the efficiency of your system more, think about a new variable speed AC unit. This technology allows the air conditioner to operate at less power and allows it to better remove moisture from air.
Heat pumps are a great alternative for homeowners living in mild climates. They can provide heating and cooling without burning fuel. These units transfer heat from the air in your home to the outdoor air, which cuts down on energy consumption and environmental impact.
Another option is a hybrid system, which combines a heatpump with gas furnaces to provide back-up heating during the coldest months. A new high efficiency heat pump uses exactly 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 brand new, high-efficiency furnace and air combination, you can cut your home energy bills by up to 40 percent. To get the most energy savings with 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. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a component starts to get old or suffers from serious issues that affect its efficiency. If this occurs, homeowners are often faced with the decision of whether to replace the air conditioner or the furnace. While it might seem counterintuitive to purchase an HVAC system that is new when your current one is operating well, it’s usually the most efficient option for homeowners because they can reduce repair costs and cut their energy bills with a newer system.
The purchase and installation of two new HVAC systems could be expensive. A combination of air conditioner and furnace is much less expensive however. In addition, you only have to maintain the system once a year instead of twice a year with separate units.
Another way to lower the total cost of a furnace as well as air combination is to go for a high-efficiency unit. The majority of modern gas furnaces come 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 can save you money on your energy bills, and will reduce your heating and cooling expenses.
If you choose a furnace and AC combo from the same manufacturer, you’ll also enjoy excellent energy efficiency and durability since the systems will cooperate well. However, if you go with two different brands it is important to keep in mind that a combination that is not compatible will reduce their longevity and performance.
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 and affect the effectiveness of your HVAC system.
A specialist from Georgia Air Repair can perform accurate HVAC repairs on any type of equipment. It is crucial to keep in mind that the majority of manufacturers will not respect their warranties when the units are mixed and matched. Selecting the same manufacturer for your furnace and air conditioning will ensure that your unit is correctly installed and repaired and will give you the best performance throughout its lifetime.
3. Convenience
If you decide to install a furnace and conditioner combo, both HVAC systems are designed to function 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. Choosing a unit that is 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 old components will work perfectly without voiding one’s warranty or causing problems with the HVAC system.
A furnace and air conditioner combo will provide you with comfort all year long. Unlike window air conditioners that only work in summer and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning in the winter they are installed to cool and heat your entire home. These units are more reliable and durable than other heating and cooling systems.
You can also reduce your energy bills by using a furnace and air conditioner combination unit. While traditional HVAC systems come with SEER ratings of up to 10, a combination unit is more SEER-rated which means you will enjoy greater energy savings and convenience. Depending on your utility rates and the climate, you might even be able to save money by using a heating pump when combined with a gas or electric furnace.
If you are planning on purchasing your air conditioner and furnace with credit, you may be interested in a combo unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases of two HVAC systems can adversely impact your borrowing capacity for years. Your credit score will be unaffected by purchasing a single AC/heater combo unit on authorised credit.
A combination of air conditioner and furnace can also let you utilize your existing ductwork, making the process much simpler than simply replacing an AC unit or a new furnace. Replacing both the air conditioning and furnace will require extensive ductwork that could be costly.
4. Versatility
A furnace and AC combo is a fantastic option for those living in moderate climates. 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 uses natural or propane gas to warm your home in the winter months and electricity to cool it down in summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner/furnace combo that only works in one mode.
Air conditioners make use of the chemical 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 from surrounding air, which helps keep your home cool. If your house isn’t adequately insulated, the evaporation process could cause the air in your home to lose its cooling capability. This occurs when refrigerant leaks or the heat exchanger wears down.
Furnaces use combustion to heat your home however they are less efficient than air conditioners when it comes to heating. They also have a tougher to deal with cold temperatures than air conditioners. A lot of people living in mild climates opt for an oil furnace combination. This kind of HVAC system combines the energy-efficient features of a heat pump with the reliability of an oil furnace.
To select the ideal combination of furnace and AC, you must ensure that it is appropriate for the space you live in. A HVAC professional can help determine which HVAC system is best for your home. They’ll look at aspects like area, levels of humidity, and insulation.
A technician for heating and cooling will also help you determine what size furnace and conditioner you need. They’ll consider the needs of your heating and cooling and any future expansion plans for your home. They’ll also explain what types of incentives and rebates are available to you.
Get three quotes from different contractors before purchasing the new HVAC unit. Compare the prices and AFUE ratings of each system. Remember that an expert HVAC installation is essential to ensure the warranty is protected and that your HVAC unit works properly.
