Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
Furnace and air conditioner combination units use the same blower to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They also work with smart thermostats to provide individualized control.
Using a different brand for your furnace and AC could invalidate your warranty on both units. The matching of two units can save you time and cost on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely energy efficient, particularly when they’re combined. By choosing a gas furnace with an air conditioner that has an impressive SEER rating, you can reduce your utility bills throughout the year. A professional can calculate the load of your home in order to achieve the most efficient results. This will help you determine what size and type of system is right for your home.
Furnaces generate heat by using propane or natural gas to burn fuel to create hot steam. This steam then circulates through ductwork and warms 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. These two systems are like Goldilocks, working together to maintain your home’s temperature right.
Think about 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 to better remove moisture from the air, resulting in dry air inside.
Heat pumps are a great alternative for homeowners living in mild climates. They are able to provide cooling and heating without burning any fuel. They transfer heat from the air in your home to the outdoor air, which cuts down on energy costs and environmental impact.
A hybrid system that combines a heat pump with a traditional gas furnace for backup warmth during the coldest months — is an alternative. A new high-efficiency heat pump can use the same technology to transfer heat from one region of your home to the other and will be paired with a gas furnace for back-up during the coldest winter temperatures.
You can cut your home’s energy bills by as much as 40% if you replace your old inefficient HVAC system. For the greatest savings on energy, make certain to install the proper insulation and weatherization settings in conjunction with your new HVAC system.
2. Longevity
A furnace can last 15-30 years, whereas an AC unit may last up to 15-20 years. Typically an HVAC system is replaced when one component begins to show signs of ageing or the other suffers from serious malfunctions that compromise its effectiveness. When this occurs, a homeowner is often faced with the decision of whether to replace the air conditioner or the furnace. It may seem counterintuitive, but investing in an HVAC system that is brand new even if the one you have is still functioning well is usually the best option for homeowners. They will save the cost of repairs and also reduce their energy consumption.
Installing and purchasing two new HVAC systems is expensive. A combination of air conditioner and furnace is much less expensive but it is more expensive. You’ll only need to service your system once a yr, instead of twice as often with separate units.
A high-efficiency system is a different option to lower the price of an air conditioner. 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 16 or more. This can help you reduce your energy costs and significantly decrease your home heating and cooling expenses.
When you choose a furnace-AC combination from the same manufacturer and you’ll also benefit from high energy efficiency since the systems work well together. If you select two different brands, keep in mind that a mismatched combination will reduce their efficiency and life span.
Incorrectly matched units can cause serious problems that could result in leaks of refrigerant or CO which can be dangerous for humans. These issues could also cause damage to your ductwork and affect the efficiency of your HVAC system.
A professional from Georgia Air Repair can perform precise HVAC repairs on any kind of equipment. However, it’s important to remember that many manufacturers will not honor their warranties when you mix and match their units. Selecting the same manufacturer for your air conditioner and furnace will ensure that the unit is installed correctly, repaired, and will offer the highest performance throughout its lifetime.
3. Convenience
If you decide to install a furnace and conditioner combination, 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. You’ll save time and money by selecting an appliance that is compatible with the other HVAC component. It will also ensure that your new and old components will work together perfectly without voiding one’s warranty or causing other issues with the HVAC system.
A furnace and air conditioning combo in your home will provide you with year round comfort. 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.
You will also reduce energy bills by making use of a furnace and air conditioner combination unit. While conventional HVAC systems come with SEER ratings that range from 0 to 10, a combination unit has a higher SEER value and offers greater energy savings and convenience. You may be able save money if you use a heatpump in conjunction with a gas or electric furnace, based on your energy costs.
If you are planning on purchasing your air conditioner and furnace with the aid of a loan, you might be interested in a combo unit instead of two separate units. Buying two HVAC systems with credit has the result of taking two hits on your credit report, which can negatively impact your borrowing power for a long time. By purchasing a single AC heater combo unit with a credit card that is approved, your credit score won’t suffer any damage at all.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner can also let you use your existing ductwork, making the process much less difficult than replacing only an AC unit or a new furnace. Replacing both the air conditioning and furnace will require extensive ductwork that could be expensive.
4. Versatility
For those who reside in areas with moderate temperatures, a furnace and AC combination can be a good option. It can efficiently heat your home in the winter and cool it down in the summer. Also known as gas-electric systems this type of HVAC system uses propane or natural gas to warm 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 in only one mode at a time.
Air conditioners utilize the chemical freon to cool your home. The AC unit compresses first the freon before it evaporates to circulate cool air throughout your house. It also absorbs heat in the air around your home, which helps keep it cool. If your house isn’t well insulate, the process of evaporation could cause the air inside your home to lose its cooling ability. This occurs when refrigerant leaks, or the heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces make use of combustion to heat your house but they are not as efficient than air conditioners in terms of heating. They also have a tougher time dealing with cold temperatures than air conditioners. That’s why a lot of people who live in moderate climates choose a heat pump oil furnace combination. This kind of HVAC system blends the energy-efficient characteristics of a heat-pump with the reliability of an oil furnace.
The key to selecting the right combination of air conditioner and furnace is making sure it’s properly sized for your home. A HVAC expert can help you determine which HVAC system is the best for your house. They’ll consider factors like the size of the room, insulation, and the level of humidity.
A technician who specializes in cooling and heating will assist you in determining the proper size furnace and air conditioner you need. They’ll take into account your heating and cooling requirements and any plans for future expansions to your home. They’ll also inform you which rebates and incentives you can receive.
Get three estimates from different contractors prior to purchasing an entirely new HVAC unit. Then, you can compare the costs and AFUE ratings of each system. Remember that an HVAC installation by a professional is crucial to ensure the warranty is protected and that your HVAC unit works properly.