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 can also be controlled by smart thermostats.
Using a different brand for your furnace and AC could void your warranty on both units. The synchronization of the two units can save time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and air conditioners are extremely energy efficient, particularly when they are used in conjunction. By choosing gas furnaces with an air conditioning unit with an impressive SEER rating, you’ll be able to save a lot on your utility bills throughout the year. For the best efficiency results, have a professional do an estimate of the load for your home. This will help you decide the right size and type of system that is appropriate for your space.
Furnaces generate heat using propane or natural gas to burn fuel to create hot steam. This 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. Both systems are like Goldilocks, working together to keep your home’s temperature right.
Consider a variable-speed AC unit if you wish to further increase the efficiency of your system. This technology permits the air conditioner to run on lower power, which lets it better extract moisture from the air.
Heat pumps are an excellent option for homeowners in mild climates. They can provide heating and cooling without burning fuel. These 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, which combines an electric heatpump with gas furnaces to provide back-up heating during coldest months. A new high-efficiency heat pump can make use of the same technology to transfer heat from one part of your home to the other and will be paired with a gas furnace to back up the heat 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 bills by up to 40%. To get the most energy savings from your new HVAC system, you must install the correct insulation and weatherization, as well as thermostat settings.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace can be between 15 and 30 years and an AC unit can last up to 15 years. Typically, an HVAC system is replaced when a component starts to show signs of ageing or has serious malfunctions which affect its performance. A homeowner will often have to decide whether to replace their air conditioner or furnace when this happens. While it might seem counterintuitive to invest in an HVAC system that is brand new if your current one is working well, it is typically the best option for homeowners as they will save money on repairs and cut their energy bills with a newer system.
Installing and buying two new HVAC systems is expensive. However an air conditioner set-up is less expensive. You’ll only need to service your system once a yr, instead of twice often with separate units.
Another way to lower the total cost of a furnace and air combination is to go for a high-efficiency model. Modern gas furnaces typically 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 help you save on your energy bills and dramatically reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs.
If you select a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer you’ll also benefit from excellent energy efficiency and longevity because the two systems work well. However, if you go with two different brands it is important to keep in mind that a mismatched combination will reduce their longevity and performance.
Unmatched units can cause serious problems and lead to dangerous refrigerant and CO leaks. These issues could also cause damage to your ductwork and affect the efficiency of your HVAC system.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any type of HVAC equipment. It’s important to note that most manufacturers won’t honor their warranties when you mix and match their units. By choosing the same furnace and air conditioner will ensure that the unit is installed correctly, repaired and performs optimally throughout its lifespan.
3. Convenience
When you opt to install a furnace and air conditioner combo the HVAC systems are designed to work 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 you money and time in the long in the long run. This will ensure that your new and existing HVAC components work together without voiding warranties or causing any other issues to the system.
A furnace and air conditioner combo will give you peace of mind all year round. These units can heat and cool the entire home, unlike window air conditioners, which are only effective in the summer months and can lead to CO poisoning in winter. They are more reliable and durable than other heating and cooling systems.
A combination air conditioner and furnace unit can help you save on energy costs as well. While traditional HVAC systems have SEER ratings as high as 10, a combination unit is more SEER-rated which means you will enjoy more energy savings and convenience. Depending on your utility rates and the climate, you might even be able to save money by using a heat pump when combined with an electric or gas furnace.
If you are planning to purchase your air conditioner and furnace with a loan, it may be better to select a combination unit rather than two separate units. Buying two HVAC systems using credit has the result of taking two marks on your credit report, which could adversely affect your borrowing capacity for years to come. Your credit score will remain unaffected by purchasing one AC/heater combination unit on authorised credit.
The process of replacing the furnace and AC unit is much easier using the ductwork you have already installed. Replacing both the air conditioning and furnace will require extensive ductwork, which could be expensive.
4. Versatility
If you live in climates with moderate temperatures, a furnace and AC combination is a good choice. It is efficient in heating your home during winter months and cool it down in summer. Also known as gas-electric systems this type of HVAC system makes use of natural or propane gas to heat your home in the winter and electricity to cool it down during summer. This makes it more versatile than an furnace and air conditioner that can only function on one mode at a time.
The chemical freon is employed 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 surrounding air and helps keep your home cool. If your home is not adequately insulate, the process of evaporation can cause the air in your home to lose its cooling capability. This occurs when the refrigerant leaks, or the heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces utilize combustion to heat your home but they are not as efficient than air conditioners in terms of heating. They also have a tougher to deal with cold temperatures than air conditioners. Many people living in mild climates choose to use the heat pump and oil furnace combination. This kind of HVAC system is a combination of energy-efficient features from an oil furnace with the reliability of an oil stove.
When choosing the best AC/furnace combination, you must ensure that it is sized correctly for your house. A HVAC expert can help you determine which HVAC system is the most suitable for your home. They’ll look at factors like square footage, humidity levels, as well as insulation.
A technician for heating and cooling will also help you decide 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 let you know what incentives and rebates you can get.
Get three quotes from different contractors before purchasing a new HVAC unit. Then, you can compare the costs and the AFUE ratings of each. Remember that a professional HVAC installation is essential to protect your warranty and ensure your HVAC unit works properly.
