Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Furnace and air conditioner combos use the same blower to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They can also be controlled by smart thermostats.
Using a different brand of your furnace and AC could invalidate your 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 AC units are extremely energy efficient, especially when they’re combined. If you choose gas furnaces that come with air conditioning unit that has an excellent SEER rating, you can save money on your utility bills throughout the year. A professional can determine the load for your home to get the best results. This will help you determine the appropriate size and type of system that is appropriate for your home.
Furnaces generate heat using propane or natural gas to ignite fuel to produce hot steam. The steam then circulates through ductwork, warming 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. These two systems are like Goldilocks working in tandem to keep your home’s temperature right.
Consider a variable-speed AC unit if you’re looking to boost the efficiency of your system. This technology permits the air conditioner to run at a lower capacity and help it better extract moisture from the air, leading to dry air inside.
For homeowners living in climates that are moderate, a heat pump can provide the cooling and heating they require without burning any fuel. The units transfer heat from the air in your home to outdoor air, which cut down on energy consumption and environmental impact.
Another option is a hybrid system, which combines the heatpump and gas furnaces to provide back-up heating during the coldest months. A new high efficiency heat pump makes use of the same technology to transfer warmth from one region of your home to another however, it has the addition of a gas furnace for backup during the coldest temperatures.
By replacing your old, inefficient HVAC system with a modern, high-efficiency furnace and air conditioner, you could reduce your energy costs by up to 40 percent. To maximize savings from your new system, make sure you have the proper insulation and weatherization, as well as thermostat settings.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is between 15 and 30 years and an AC unit can last 15-20 years. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a component begins to wear out or has serious malfunctions which affect its efficiency. If this occurs, homeowners are often faced with the choice of whether to replace the air conditioner or the furnace. While it might seem counterintuitive to invest in an HVAC system that is new when your current one is working well, it is usually the most efficient option for homeowners because they can save money on repairs and cut their energy bills with a modern system.
Installing and buying two new HVAC systems is costly. A combination of air conditioner and furnace is less costly, however. You’ll only need to service your system once a yr, instead of twice often with separate units.
Another method to cut down on the overall cost of a furnace and combination is to go for a high-efficiency system. 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 can save you money on your energy bills, and will reduce your heating and cooling costs.
If you select a furnace and AC combo from the same manufacturer, you’ll also enjoy excellent energy efficiency and durability as the systems will cooperate well. However, if you go with two different brands it’s important to note that a mismatched combination will reduce their longevity and performance.
Mismatched units could cause serious problems that can result in dangerous CO and refrigerant leaking. These issues can also damage your ductwork and affect the efficiency of your HVAC system.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any type of HVAC equipment. It is important to keep in mind that most manufacturers will not respect their warranties if the units are mixed and matched. Choosing the same brand for your air conditioning and furnace will ensure that the unit is installed correctly and maintained and will give you the best performance over its lifetime.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems can 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. Selecting a unit specifically designed to function with your other HVAC component will save you time and money in the long in the long run. This will ensure that your new and existing HVAC components work together without voiding any warranties or causing any other problems to the system.
Having a furnace and air conditioning unit in your home provides you with all year round comfort. These units can cool and heat your entire house, unlike window air conditioners which are only effective in the summer months and can lead to CO poisoning in winter. They are also more durable and reliable than other kinds of cooling and heating systems.
Additionally, you can reduce your energy bills by using a furnace and conditioner unit. Combination units have more SEER than conventional HVAC systems. This allows you to save more energy and also enjoy more convenience. Depending on your utility rates and the climate, you might even be saving money by using a heat pump in conjunction with a gas or electric furnace.
If you intend to purchase your furnace and air conditioner with a loan it might be better to go with a combination unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases for two HVAC systems can adversely affect your borrowing capacity for years. If you purchase a single AC heater with a credit card that is approved, your credit score won’t be affected in any way.
A combination of air conditioner and furnace can also let you utilize your existing ductwork, which makes the process much simpler than just replacing an AC unit or a brand new furnace. The cost of replacing both the furnace and air conditioning can be high.
4. Versatility
For those who live in areas with moderate temperatures, a furnace-AC combo can be a great option. It is efficient in heating your home in the winter and cool it down in the summer. Also known as gas-electric systems, this type of HVAC system makes use of propane or natural gas to warm your home in the winter, and electricity to cool it down in the summer. This makes it more flexible than an furnace and air conditioner, which can only operate in one mode at a given time.
The chemical freon is utilized by air conditioners to cool your house. The AC unit compresses freon which is then evaporated to circulate cool dry air throughout your home. It also absorbs heat from the air surrounding your home, which helps keep it cool. If your home isn’t well-insulated then the evaporation process could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This happens when the refrigerant leaks or the heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces use combustion to heat your home, but they are less efficient than air conditioners in terms of heating. Air conditioners are also less able to handle cold temperatures. This is why many people living in climates with moderate temperatures opt for an oil furnace and heat pump combination. This kind of HVAC incorporates the energy-efficient features of a heat-pump with the reliability of an oil furnace.
When choosing the best AC/furnace combination, you must ensure that it is right-sized for your home. A HVAC expert can assist you in determining which HVAC system will work best for your home. They’ll look at factors like square footage as well as insulation and the humidity levels.
A technician who specializes in heating and cooling will also assist you in determining the right size furnace and air conditioner that you need. They’ll consider your heating and cooling requirements and any plans for future expansions to your home. They’ll also explain what types of incentives and rebates are available to you.
Get three quotes from different contractors before purchasing an entirely new HVAC unit. Compare the costs and AFUE ratings of each system. Be aware that a professional installation of your HVAC system is essential to protect your warranty.
