Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
The same blower is used to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They also work with smart thermostats that allow for individual control.
Using a different brand for your furnace and AC could invalidate your warranty on both units. The matching of the two units can save time and cost on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and air conditioners are highly energy efficient, especially when they are used in conjunction. You can save a significant deal on your utility costs by selecting a gas furnace with an air conditioner with SEER ratings. For the most efficient efficiency, have a professional do an estimate of the load for your home. This will help determine which size and kind of system is suitable for your space.
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. The two systems work like an Goldilocks power coupler, making sure that your home’s temperature will always be just right–never too cold or too hot.
You should consider a variable speed AC unit if you want to boost the energy efficiency of your system. This technology allows your air conditioner to run at a lower speed, which helps it better extract moisture from the air, leading to drier indoor air.
Heat pumps are a great option for homeowners living in mild climates. They can provide cooling and heating without burning any fuel. They transfer heat from the air inside your home to outdoor air, which reduces on energy costs and also reduces environmental impact.
A hybrid system–which incorporates a heat pump with a traditional gas furnace for back-up warmth in the coldest months — is an alternative. A new high-efficiency heat pump will use the same technology to transfer heat from one region of your house to the other and will be paired with a gas furnace to provide back-up in the coldest temperatures.
You can cut the cost of energy for your home by as much as 40% if you replace your old inefficient HVAC system. To get the most energy savings, be sure to install insulation, weatherization, and thermostat settings in conjunction with your new HVAC system.
2. Longevity
A furnace could last for 15-30 years, whereas an AC unit could last up to 15-20 years. HVAC systems are typically replaced when a component starts to wear out or has serious issues that affect its efficiency. If this occurs, homeowners are often faced with the dilemma of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. It may seem counterintuitive, but investing in a new HVAC unit when the existing one is still in good working order is often the best choice for homeowners. They can save money on repairs and reduce their energy consumption.
Installing and buying two new HVAC systems is expensive. However the furnace and air conditioner set-up is much less costly. You will only have to service your system every year, instead of twice often with separate units.
Another way to reduce the total cost of a furnace and combination is to opt for a high-efficiency model. Modern gas furnaces are equipped with an AFUE rating of at least 80% while most AC units come with an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of 16 or more. This will help you reduce your energy bills and drastically reduce your home’s heating and cooling expenses.
When you choose a furnace-AC combo from the same company, you will also enjoy high energy efficiency since the systems work well together. If you choose two brands, be aware that a mismatched combination will reduce their efficiency and life span.
Incorrectly matched units can cause serious problems that can result in dangerous refrigerant and CO leaks. These issues can also harm 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 remember that many manufacturers will not honor their warranty in the event that you mix and match their units. Selecting the same brand for your furnace and air conditioning will ensure that your unit is properly installed and repaired and will provide the best performance throughout its lifetime.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems seamlessly integrate when you install a furnace 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 that is specifically designed to operate well with your other HVAC component will save you time and money in the long time. This will ensure that the new and current HVAC components will work well together without voiding warranties or causing any other problems to the system.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner in your home provides you with all-year-round comfort. These units can heat and cool the entire house, unlike window air conditioners that are only effective during summer and can cause CO poisoning in winter. They are also more robust and reliable than other types of cooling and heating systems.
Additionally, you can reduce your energy bills by using a furnace and conditioning unit. A combination unit offers a higher SEER rating than traditional HVAC systems. This enables you to save more energy and also enjoy more convenience. You could save money if you use the heatpump along with a gas or electric furnace, based on your utility rates.
If you are planning to purchase your furnace and air conditioner by borrowing money it is possible to choose an integrated unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases of two HVAC systems could negatively impact your borrowing capacity for years. If you purchase a single AC heater and combo unit using an approved credit card your credit score will not take any hits at all.
A furnace and air conditioner combo can also permit you to utilize your existing ductwork, making the process much simpler than replacing only an AC unit or a 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 combination can be a good option. It will efficiently heat your home in the winter, and cool it down in the summer. This type of HVAC is also referred to as gas-electric systems, utilizes propane or natural gas to heat your house in the winter months and power in summer. This makes it more adaptable than an air conditioner and furnace combination that can only work in one mode at a time.
Air conditioners use 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 the air surrounding your home, which helps keep it cool. If your home is not adequately constructed, the process of evaporation can cause the air in your home to lose its cooling capability. This occurs when refrigerant leaks, or the heat exchanger wears down.
Furnaces heat your home using combustion, but they are less efficient in heating than air conditioners. Air conditioners are also less able to deal with cold temperatures. This is why many people living in moderate climates choose an oil furnace and heat pump combination. This kind of HVAC system blends the energy-efficient characteristics of a heat-pump with the reliability of an oil furnace.
The most important factor to consider when choosing the right AC/furnace combo is making sure it’s sized correctly for your home. A HVAC professional can assist you to determine which HVAC system is suitable for your house. They’ll consider factors like area, insulation, and the humidity levels.
A heating and cooling technician will also help you determine what size furnace and air conditioner you need. They will take into consideration your heating and cooling requirements and any future expansion plans you might have for your home. They’ll also let you know which rebates and incentives you can get.
Before you buy a new HVAC system, it is recommended to obtain three quotes from different contractors. Then, you can compare the costs and AFUE ratings for each system. Don’t forget that an HVAC installation by a professional is crucial to protect your warranty and ensure your HVAC unit is working properly.
