Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Furnace and air conditioner combination units use the same blower to distribute the conditioned air throughout your home. They also work with smart thermostats to provide individualized control.
If you use an alternative brand of furnace or AC your warranty may be void for both units. The synchronization of the two units can save time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely efficient in energy use, particularly when they’re used in conjunction. By choosing gas furnaces with an air conditioning unit that has an impressive SEER rating, you can reduce your energy bills throughout the year. For the most efficient efficiency get a professional to do an estimate of the load for your home. This will allow you to determine which size and kind of system is suitable for your space.
Furnaces generate heat using natural or propane gas to ignite fuel to produce hot steam. This steam then circulates through ductwork and warms 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. The two systems are similar to Goldilocks, working together to keep your home’s temperature just right.
If you want to increase your system’s energy efficiency even further, consider a new, variable speed AC unit. This technology permits your air conditioner to run at a lower rate and helps it to remove moisture from the air, leading to drier indoor air.
For homeowners who live in mild climates, a heat pump can provide the heating and cooling they need without burning fuel. These units transfer heat from the air inside your home to outdoor air, which reduces on energy costs and environmental impact.
A hybrid system–which combines a heat pump with a traditional gas furnace for back-up warmth in the coldest months–is another option. A new high-efficiency heat pump uses the same technology to transfer warmth from one region of your home to another but with the addition of a gas furnace for backup during the coldest temperatures.
By replacing your old, inefficient HVAC system with a brand new high-efficiency furnace and combination, you can reduce your energy costs by up to 40%. To get the most energy savings from your new HVAC system, make sure you have the proper insulation and thermostat settings, as well as weatherization.
2. Longevity
A furnace can last 15-30 years, while an AC unit can last for as long as 15 years. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a component begins to age or suffers serious issues that affect its efficiency. If this occurs, a homeowner is often faced with the dilemma of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. It might seem counterintuitive but investing in an HVAC system that is brand new even if the one you have is still in good working order is often the best choice for homeowners. They can save money on repairs and reduce the energy bills.
Installing and purchasing two new HVAC systems is costly. However an air conditioner combination is much less costly. Plus, you will only need to maintain the unit once per year instead of twice per year for separate units.
Another method to cut down on the total cost of a furnace and combination is to go for a high-efficiency model. Most modern gas furnaces come with an AFUE rating of at minimum 80% while most AC units have an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of up to 16 or more. This will help you reduce your energy costs and significantly decrease your home cooling and heating costs.
If you choose a furnace and AC combo from the same manufacturer you’ll also benefit from high energy efficiency and longevity as the systems will cooperate well. However, if you choose to go with two different brands it is important to keep in mind that a mismatched combination will reduce their lifespan and performance.
Incorrectly matched units can cause serious problems and result in dangerous refrigerant and CO leaks. These issues can also harm your ductwork and reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system.
A specialist from Georgia Air Repair can perform precise HVAC repairs on any kind of equipment. It’s important to remember that many manufacturers will not honor their warranties in the event that you mix and match their units. Making sure you choose the same brand for your furnace and air conditioning will ensure that your unit is properly installed and repaired and will give you the highest performance throughout its life.
3. Convenience
When you opt to install a furnace as well as an air 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. You can save time and money by choosing the unit that is compatible with the other HVAC component. This will ensure that the new and existing HVAC components will work together without voiding any warranties or causing any other damage to the system.
The presence of a furnace and air conditioning unit in your home will provide you with all-year-round comfort. They can cool and heat the entire house, unlike window air conditioners which are only effective during the summer months and can lead to CO poisoning in winter. They are also more durable and reliable than other kinds of heating and cooling systems.
A combination air conditioner and furnace unit can save you money on energy costs too. Combination units have a higher SEER rating than conventional HVAC systems. This enables you to save energy and also enjoy more convenience. Depending on your utility rates and climate, you may even be able to save money by using a heat pump along with a gas or electric furnace.
If you’re thinking of buying your air conditioning and furnace with a loan, you may want to consider a combo unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases of two HVAC systems can negatively affect your borrowing capacity over the course of years. Your credit score is unaffected by purchasing a single AC/heater combo unit with credit approval.
A furnace and air conditioner combo can also permit you to utilize your existing ductwork, which makes the process less complicated than replacing only an AC unit or a brand new furnace. The cost of replacing both the furnace and air conditioning is often high.
4. Versatility
For those who live in areas with moderate temperatures, a furnace and AC combo can be a great option. It is able to efficiently heat your home in the winter and cool it down during summer. Also known as gas-electric systems, this type of HVAC system uses propane or natural 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 can only work in one way.
Air conditioners utilize a chemical called freon to cool your home. The AC unit compresses freon which is then evaporated to circulate cool dry air through your home. It also absorbs heat from the surrounding air which keeps your home cool. If your house isn’t adequately insulated, the evaporation process can cause the air in your home to lose its cooling ability. This happens when the refrigerant leaks, or the heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces heat your home using combustion, but are less efficient in heating than air conditioners. They also have a tougher to deal with cold temperatures than air conditioners. That’s why a lot of people who live in moderate climates choose an oil furnace and heat pump combination. This type of HVAC system combines energy-efficient features from heatpump and the reliability of an oil stove.
The key to choosing the best combination of AC and furnace is to ensure it’s the right size for your home. An HVAC professional can help you determine which HVAC system is best for your house. They’ll take into consideration factors such as area, insulation, and the level of humidity.
A technician in heating and cooling can also assist you in deciding what size furnace and conditioner you require. They will take into consideration your heating and cooling needs as well as any plans for expansion you might have for your home. They’ll also explain the types of rebates and incentives are available to you.
Before purchasing a new HVAC system, it is recommended to get three quotes from different contractors. Compare the costs and AFUE ratings of each. Be aware that a professional installation of your HVAC system is essential to protect your warranty.
