Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Furnace and air conditioner combos use the same blower to distribute the conditioned air throughout your house. They also integrate with smart thermostats for individualized control.
If you use a different brand of furnace and AC your warranty may be void on both units. The matching of the two units can save you time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely energy efficient, particularly when they’re paired together. If you select a gas furnace with an air conditioner with a high SEER rating, you can save a lot on your energy bills throughout the year. A professional can calculate the load for your home in order to achieve the best results. This will help determine which size and kind of system is best for your home.
Furnaces produce heat by burning fuel using propane gas or natural gas. The steam is circulated through ductwork to warm the 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. These two systems are like Goldilocks and work together to keep your home’s temperature just right.
If you’re looking to improve the efficiency of your system further, you should consider purchasing a brand new variable speed AC unit. This technology allows your air conditioner to run at a lower speed and help it better extract moisture from the air, resulting in dry air inside.
For homeowners who live in climates that are moderate, a heat pump can provide the cooling and heating they require without burning any fuel. These units transfer heat from the air inside your home to the outside air, which reduces on energy costs and environmental impact.
Another option is a hybrid that blends a heatpump with gas furnaces to provide back-up heating during the coldest months. A new high efficiency heat pump uses the same technology to transfer warmth from one part of your home to another however, it has the addition of a gas furnace for backup in the coldest temperatures.
If you replace your old, inefficient HVAC system with a brand new high-efficiency furnace and conditioner combo, you can cut your home energy bills by up to 40 percent. To maximize savings from your new system, install the right insulation and thermostat settings, as well as weatherization.
2. Longevity
A furnace can last between 15 and 30 years, while an AC unit can last for as long as 15 years. HVAC systems are usually replaced when a component starts to age or suffers serious malfunctions which affect its performance. If this occurs, a homeowner is often faced with the decision of whether to replace the air conditioner or the furnace. While it might appear counterintuitive to buy an HVAC system that is brand new if your old one is still functioning well, this is often the most beneficial option for homeowners since they can save on repair bills and lower their energy costs by investing in a modern HVAC system.
Purchasing and installing two new HVAC systems could be expensive. A furnace and air conditioner combo is much less expensive, however. You’ll only need to maintain your system once per year, instead of twice as often if you have separate units.
Another way to lower the overall cost of a furnace as well as air combination is to opt for a high-efficiency model. Modern gas furnaces are equipped with an AFUE rating that is 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 will help you save money on your energy bills and lower your home’s heating and cooling expenses.
If you opt for a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer, you’ll also enjoy excellent energy efficiency and long-lasting performance because the two systems work well together. However, if you go with two different brands, it’s important to remember that a mismatched combination will reduce their longevity and performance.
Unmatched units can create serious problems that could result in CO and refrigerant leaks, which are hazardous for humans. These problems could also result in damage to your HVAC system as well as your ductwork.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any type of HVAC equipment. However, it’s important to note that most manufacturers won’t honor their warranties in the event that you mix and match their units. Making sure you choose the same brand for your air conditioner and furnace will ensure that the unit is installed correctly and repaired, and will offer the best performance throughout its lifetime.
3. Convenience
When you opt to install a furnace as well as an air conditioner, both HVAC systems are designed to work together 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 specifically designed to function with your other HVAC component will save you time and money 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 issues to the system.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner can provide you with comfort all year long. Contrary to window air conditioners which only work during summer and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning in winter the units are set up to heat and cool your entire house. They are more reliable and durable than other heating and cooling systems.
A combination furnace and air conditioner unit can help you save on energy bills as well. While traditional HVAC systems have SEER ratings as high as 10, a combination unit has a higher SEER value which means you will enjoy more energy savings and convenience. You could save money by using a heatpump in conjunction with an electric or gas furnace, based on the rates you pay for utilities.
If you are planning on buying your air conditioning and furnace through the aid of a loan, you might think about a combination unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases of two HVAC systems can adversely affect your borrowing capacity over the course of years. By purchasing a single AC heater with an approved credit card, your credit score will not take any hits at all.
A combination of air conditioner and furnace can also let you make use of existing ductwork, which makes the process less complicated than just replacing an AC unit or a brand new furnace. The cost of replacing both the air conditioning and furnace could be substantial.
4. Versatility
A furnace AC combo is a great option for those living in mild climates. It can heat your home efficiently in the winter, and cool it down in the summer. This type of HVAC also referred to as gas-electric systems uses propane or natural gas to heat your house in the winter and electricity during summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner and furnace combo, which can only operate in one mode at a time.
The chemical freon is used by air conditioners 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 surrounding air and keeps your home cool. However, if your house isn’t properly insulated, the evaporation process could cause the air to lose its cooling power. This occurs when the refrigerant leaks or when the heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces make use of combustion to heat your home however they are less efficient than air conditioners in terms of heating. They also have a harder time dealing with cold temperatures than air conditioners. Many people in mild climates opt for the heat pump and oil furnace combination. This kind of HVAC combines the energy-efficient features of a heat-pump with the reliability of an oil furnace.
The key to selecting the best combination of AC and furnace is making sure it’s properly sized for your home. A HVAC expert can assist you in determining which HVAC system is best for your home. They’ll consider aspects like area, levels of humidity, and insulation.
A heating and cooling technician can also assist you in deciding what size furnace and air conditioner you need. They’ll consider your heating and cooling requirements, as well as any future expansion plans for your home. They’ll also let you know which incentives and rebates you can get.
Before purchasing a new HVAC system, you must obtain three quotes from different contractors. Then, compare the prices and the AFUE ratings of each. Remember that a professional installation of your HVAC system is essential to protect your warranty.
