Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
The same blower is used to distribute conditioned indoor 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 you time and money on maintenance and repairs.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and air conditioners are highly energy efficient, particularly when used together. You can save a significant amount on your energy bills by choosing a gas furnace with an air conditioner that has an SEER rating. A professional can calculate the load for your home to ensure the most efficient results. This will allow you to determine the appropriate size and type of system for your home.
Furnaces generate heat by using natural or propane gas to ignite fuel to produce 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. The two systems work like an Goldilocks power coupler, making sure that your home’s temperature will always be just right, never too hot or cold.
Think about a variable-speed AC unit if you want to increase the energy efficiency of your system. This technology allows the air conditioner to run on lower power which allows it to better extract moisture from the air.
Heat pumps are a great option for homeowners living in mild climates. They can provide heating and cooling without burning fuel. The units transfer heat out of your home to the outside air, which reduces the cost of energy and affecting the environment.
Another alternative is a hybrid system that blends a heatpump with gas furnace to provide back-up heating during coldest winter months. A new high-efficiency heat pump will use the same technology to transfer warmth from one area of your home to another however, it has a gas furnace added for backup during the coldest temperatures.
You can cut down your energy costs for your home by as much as 40% when you replace your old, inefficient HVAC system. 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. In general an HVAC system is replaced when one component starts to show signs of getting old or has serious malfunctions that affect its efficiency. A homeowner will often have to decide whether or not to replace their furnace or air conditioner when this happens. It might seem counterintuitive but investing in an HVAC system that is brand new when the old one is still functioning well is often the best choice for homeowners. They will save money on repairs and reduce their energy consumption.
Installing and buying two HVAC systems new is costly. However an air conditioner combo is much less costly. You’ll only need to maintain your system once per year instead of twice often with separate units.
A high-efficiency system is another way to reduce the cost of a combination furnace and air conditioner. Modern gas furnaces are equipped with an AFUE rating that is at least 80 percent while the majority of AC units have an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of 16 or more. This will help you save money on your energy bills and lower your heating and cooling expenses.
If you select a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer, you will also enjoy excellent energy efficiency as the systems work well together. If you choose two different brands, remember that a combination that is not compatible will affect their efficiency and life span.
Unmatched units can cause serious problems that can cause dangerous refrigerant and CO leaks. These issues could also result in damage to your HVAC system as well as your ductwork.
A professional from Georgia Air Repair can perform accurate HVAC repairs on any kind of equipment. However, it’s important to note that most manufacturers won’t honor their warranties when 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 correctly installed and maintained and will give you the highest performance throughout its life.
3. Convenience
If you decide to install a furnace and air conditioner combination the 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’ll save time and money by choosing a unit that works well with the other HVAC component. This will ensure that the new and current HVAC components work together without voiding any warranties or causing any other issues to the system.
Having a combination of a furnace and air conditioner inside your home will provide you with year round comfort. Unlike window air conditioners that only work during summer and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter, these units are properly set up to cool and heat your entire home. 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 costs as well. Combination units have a higher SEER rating than conventional HVAC systems. This lets you conserve energy and enjoy greater convenience. Depending on your rates for utilities and the climate, you might even be saving money by using a heat pump in conjunction with electric or gas furnace.
If you plan to purchase your air conditioner and furnace using a loan it is possible to choose an integrated unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases for two HVAC systems can adversely impact your borrowing capacity for years. Your credit score is not affected by buying one AC/heater combination unit that is financed with credit.
The process of replacing the furnace and AC unit is much simpler when you use your existing ductwork. The cost of replacing both the furnace and air conditioning is often high.
4. Versatility
A furnace and AC combo is a great choice for those who live in moderate climates. It is able to efficiently heat your home in winter and cool it in the summer. Also known as gas-electric systems, this kind of HVAC system makes use propane gas or natural gas to heat your home during the winter and electricity to cool it down in summer. This makes it more flexible than a conventional air conditioner/furnace combination which can only function in one way.
The chemical freon is employed by air conditioners to cool your house. The AC unit compresses freon that is then evaporated to circulate cool dry air through your home. It also absorbs heat from surrounding air which keeps your home cool. If your house isn’t adequately insulate, the process of evaporation can cause the air in your home to lose its cooling ability. This occurs when refrigerant leaks or when the heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces provide heat to your home through combustion, but are less efficient at heating than air conditioners. They also have a tougher to deal with cold temperatures than air conditioners. This is why many people who live in climates with moderate temperatures opt for the heat pump and oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC system combines energy-efficient features from heatpump and the reliability of an oil stove.
The key to selecting the best combination of AC and furnace is to ensure that it’s properly sized for your home. A HVAC professional can help determine the HVAC system is the most suitable for your home. They’ll consider factors like the size of the room, insulation, and the humidity levels.
A technician who specializes in cooling and heating will assist you in determining the proper size furnace and air conditioner that you need. 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 tell you what kinds of incentives and rebates are available to you.
Get three estimates from different contractors prior to purchasing a new HVAC unit. Then, compare the costs and the AFUE ratings of each. Make sure you get an HVAC installation by a professional is crucial to protect your warranty and ensure your HVAC unit is working properly.
