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 via smart thermostats.
If you choose a different brand for your furnace and AC could void the warranty on both units. Matching the two units saves time and money when it comes to repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and air conditioners are extremely energy efficient, particularly when used together. You can save a great amount on your energy bills by selecting a natural gas furnace with an air conditioner with SEER ratings. A professional can determine the load of your home to get the most efficient results. This will help you decide the appropriate size and type of system for your space.
Furnaces create heat by burning fuel using propane or natural gas. The steam is then circulated through ductwork to warm air in your house. 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 works like a Goldilocks power couple, ensuring that your home’s temperature is just right, never being too cold or too hot.
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 allows the air conditioner to run at a lower power and lets it better extract moisture from air.
Heat pumps are an excellent option for homeowners in mild climates. They can provide cooling and heating without burning fuel. The units transfer heat from your home and into the outside air, reducing energy costs and impact on the environment.
A hybrid system that incorporates a heat pump with an old-fashioned gas furnace to provide back-up warmth in the coldest months–is another option. A new high efficiency heat pump uses exactly the same technology to transfer warmth from one region of your home to another, but with the addition of a gas furnace for backup in the coldest temperatures.
By replacing your old, inefficient HVAC system with a new high-efficiency furnace and combination, you can reduce your energy bills by as much as 40 percent. For the best energy savings from your new system, you must install the correct insulation and weatherization, as well as thermostat settings.
2. Longevity
A furnace can last 15-30 years while an AC unit may last for as long as 15 years. HVAC systems are typically replaced when a component starts to wear out or has serious malfunctions which affect its efficiency. If this occurs, a homeowner is often faced with the decision of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. It might seem counterintuitive, but investing in an HVAC unit that is new even if the one you have is still working well is usually the best option for homeowners. They can save money on repairs and cut down on their energy consumption.
Installing and purchasing two HVAC systems new is costly. A furnace and air conditioner combo is more affordable, however. In addition, you only have to maintain the system once per year instead of twice per year with separate units.
A high-efficiency system is yet another way to reduce the cost of the combination furnace and air conditioner. Most modern gas furnaces have an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at least 80%, while most AC units come with SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or more. This will save you money on your energy bills and lower your heating and cooling expenses.
If you select a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer, you’ll also benefit from high energy efficiency and long-lasting performance since the systems will cooperate well. However, if you choose to 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 result in leaks of refrigerant and CO which can be dangerous for humans. These issues can also damage your ductwork, which can affect the efficiency of your HVAC system.
A specialist from Georgia Air Repair can perform accurate HVAC repairs on any kind of equipment. It’s important to remember that the majority of 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 properly installed, repaired and will give you the highest performance throughout its life.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems will seamlessly integrate when you install a furnace and 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 you money and time in the long in the long run. This will ensure that your new and existing HVAC components will work well together without voiding any warranties or causing any other damage to the system.
A furnace and air conditioner combo will provide you with all-year-round comfort. They can heat and cool the entire house, in contrast to window air conditioners that are only effective during the summer months and can lead to CO poisoning in winter. These units are more durable and reliable than other cooling and heating systems.
A furnace and air conditioner combo unit will save you on energy costs too. While traditional HVAC systems come with SEER ratings as high as 10, a combo unit has a higher SEER rating which means you will enjoy more energy savings and greater convenience. Depending on your rates for utilities and climate, you may even be able to save money by using a heating pump when combined with a gas or electric furnace.
If you plan to purchase your furnace and air conditioner with a loan, it may be better to select a combination unit instead of two separate units. Buying two HVAC systems with credit has the effect of putting two marks on your credit report, which could negatively impact your borrowing power for years to come. Your credit score will remain unaffected by the purchase of an AC/heater unit on authorised credit.
A combination of air conditioner and furnace can also let you make use of existing ductwork, making the process much less difficult than replacing only an AC unit or a new furnace. Replacing both the air conditioning and furnace will require extensive ductwork that can be costly.
4. Versatility
For those who live in areas with moderate temperatures, a furnace-AC combination can be a good choice. It is efficient in heating your home in the winter and cool it during summer. Also called gas-electric systems, this kind of HVAC system makes use propane gas or natural gas to heat your home during the winter and electricity to cool it down in summer. This makes it more flexible than a conventional air conditioner/furnace combination that can only work in one way.
Air conditioners use the chemical freon to cool your home. The AC unit compresses first the freon, which then evaporates to circulate cool air throughout your home. It also absorbs heat from surrounding air, which helps keep your house cool. If your home isn’t properly insulated, the evaporation cycle could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This occurs when the refrigerant leaks or when the heat exchanger wears down.
Furnaces heat your home using combustion, but are less efficient in heating than air conditioners. Air conditioners are also less able to handle cold temperatures. A lot of people living in mild climates opt for a heat pump and oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC system combines energy-efficient features from a heatpump with the reliability of an oilstove.
The key to selecting the right combination of air conditioner and furnace is to ensure that it’s the right size for your home. A HVAC professional can help determine which HVAC system is best for your home. They’ll consider factors like square footage, insulation, and humidity levels.
A technician with expertise in heating and cooling can assist you in determining the proper size furnace and air conditioner that you need. They’ll take into account your cooling and heating needs and any plans for future expansions to your home. They’ll also tell you what kinds of rebates and incentives are available to you.
Get three estimates from various contractors before purchasing the new HVAC unit. Then, compare the prices and AFUE ratings for each system. Make sure you have a professional install of your HVAC system is essential to ensure your warranty.
