Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
The same blower is used to distribute conditioned indoor air throughout your home. They also integrate with smart thermostats to provide individualized control.
If you choose a different brand for your furnace and AC could void your warranty on both units. Combining the two units can save time and money during maintenance and repairs.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely energy efficient, particularly when they’re used in conjunction. You can save a significant amount on your energy costs by selecting a gas furnace with an air conditioner with SEER ratings. For the best efficiency results, have a professional do an energy calculation for your home. This will help determine which size and kind of system is best for your space.
Furnaces produce heat by burning fuel using natural or propane gas. The steam is then circulated through ductwork to warm air in 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 combination of these two systems works like a Goldilocks power coupler, making sure that your home’s temperature is just right–never too hot or cold.
Consider a variable-speed AC unit if you wish to increase the efficiency of your system. This technology allows the air conditioner to run at a lower rate and helps it better extract moisture from the air, resulting in dry air inside.
For homeowners who live in climates that are moderate A heat pump could provide the cooling and heating they require without burning any fuel. They transfer heat out of your home into outside air, reducing the cost of energy and affecting the environment.
A hybrid system–which incorporates a heat pump with traditional gas furnaces to provide back-up warmth in the coldest months — is an alternative. A new high-efficiency heat pumps will use the same technology to transfer heat from one region of your house to another, but with an added gas furnace to provide back-up in the coldest winter temperatures.
You can reduce your energy costs for your home by up to 40% when you replace your old inefficient HVAC system. However, for the best energy savings, be certain to install the proper insulation and weatherization settings in conjunction with your new HVAC system.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is 15-30 years, while an AC unit can last for 15 to 20 years. The majority of the time, an HVAC system is replaced when a component begins to show signs of ageing or the other is suffering from serious issues that compromise its effectiveness. If this happens, a homeowner is often faced with the choice of whether to replace the air conditioner or the furnace. It might seem counterintuitive, but investing in an HVAC unit that is new even if the one you have is still in good working order is usually the best option for homeowners. They can save money on repairs and cut down on their energy consumption.
The purchase and installation of two new HVAC systems can be expensive. A furnace and air conditioner combo is more affordable, however. Plus, you will only need to service the unit once per year instead of twice a year for separate units.
A high-efficiency system is yet another way to reduce the cost of a combination furnace and air conditioner. Most modern gas furnaces come with an AFUE rating of at minimum 80% while most AC units have an SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of up to 16 or more. This will help you reduce your energy costs and dramatically reduce your home’s cooling and heating costs.
If you select a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer, you will also enjoy an excellent energy efficiency because the systems work well together. However, if you go with two different brands it is important to keep in mind that a mix of brands will decrease their longevity and performance.
Incorrectly matched units can cause serious problems and result in dangerous refrigerant leaks and CO. These problems can also damage your HVAC system and your ductwork.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any type of HVAC equipment. It’s important to remember that the majority of manufacturers won’t honor their warranties if the units are mixed and match. By choosing the identical brand of furnace and air conditioner will ensure that the unit is properly installed and repaired, and will perform optimally throughout its life.
3. Convenience
When you opt to install a furnace and conditioner combination the 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. Selecting a unit specifically designed to function with your other HVAC component will save you money and time in the long in the long run. This will ensure that the new and current HVAC components will work together without voiding warranties or causing any other damage to the system.
A furnace and air conditioner combination will provide you with comfort all year long. Unlike window air conditioners that are only effective in the summer months and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter the units are set up to heat and cool your entire home. They are more reliable and durable than other heating and cooling systems.
A furnace and air conditioner combo unit can save you money on energy costs too. While conventional HVAC systems have SEER ratings of up to 10, a combination unit has a higher SEER value, giving you greater energy savings and convenience. Depending on your utility rates and the climate, you might even be saving money by using a heating pump along with an electric or gas furnace.
If you are planning on purchasing your air conditioning and furnace using credit, you may be interested in a combo unit instead of two separate units. Purchasing two HVAC systems with credit has the result of taking two hits on your credit report, which can affect your borrowing power for years to come. Your credit score will remain unaffected by purchasing a single AC/heater combo unit with credit approval.
The procedure of replacing a furnace and AC unit is much less difficult when you use the ductwork you have already installed. The cost of replacing both the furnace and air conditioning can be high.
4. Versatility
For those who reside in areas that have moderate temperatures, a furnace-AC combo can be a great choice. It can efficiently heat your home in the winter and cool it in summer. This type of HVAC system, also known as gas-electric systems, uses natural or propane to heat your house in the winter and electricity in the summer. This makes it more versatile than an furnace and air conditioner, which can only operate on only one mode at a time.
Air conditioners use an ingredient called freon in order to cool your home. The AC unit compresses freon that is then evaporated to circulate cool dry air through your home. It also absorbs heat from the surrounding air which helps keep your house cool. If your house isn’t properly insulate, the process of evaporation could cause the air inside your home to lose its cooling capacity. This occurs when the heat exchanger or refrigerant wears out.
Furnaces heat your home using combustion, but they are not as efficient at heating than air conditioners. Air conditioners are also less able to handle cold temperatures. A lot of people living in mild climates choose to use a heat pump and oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC incorporates energy-efficient features of heatpump and the reliability of an oil stove.
The key to selecting the best combination of AC and furnace is to ensure it’s properly sized for your home. An HVAC professional can help you determine which HVAC system is the best for your home. They’ll look at factors like area as well as insulation and the humidity levels.
A technician with expertise in heating and cooling will assist you in determining the right size furnace and air conditioner that you need. They’ll take into account your heating and cooling requirements as well as any plans for expansion you might have for your home. They’ll also let you know which rebates and incentives you can get.
Before you purchase a new HVAC system, you should get three quotes from different contractors. Compare the prices and AFUE ratings of each. Remember that an HVAC installation by a professional is essential to protect your warranty and ensure your HVAC unit works properly.