Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
The same blower is used to distribute conditioned air throughout your house. They also work with smart thermostats to provide individualized control.
Using a different brand for your furnace and AC could void your warranty on both units. The matching of two units can save you time and money on repairs and maintenance.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern furnaces and AC units are extremely efficient in energy use, particularly when they’re combined. You can save a good amount on your energy bills by choosing a gas furnace with an air conditioner with a SEER rating. A professional can determine the load for your home to get the best results. This will help determine which size and type of system is right for your space.
Furnaces generate heat by using natural or propane gas to burn fuel to create hot steam. The steam then circulates through ductwork and warms the 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 an Goldilocks power coupler, ensuring that your home’s temperature is always just right–never too cold or too hot.
Consider a variable-speed AC unit if you’re looking to increase the energy efficiency of your system. This technology permits the air conditioner to run at a lower rate and help to better remove moisture from the air, which results in drier indoor air.
For homeowners who live in mild climates, a heat pump can provide the cooling and heating they require without burning fuel. The units transfer heat from the air inside your home to the outdoor air, which cut down on energy costs and also reduces environmental impact.
Another alternative is a hybrid system, which combines a heatpump with gas furnaces to provide back-up heating during coldest winter months. A new high-efficiency heat pumps will make use of the same technology to transfer heat from one part of your home to another, but with an added gas furnace to provide back-up in the coldest winter temperatures.
By replacing your old, inefficient HVAC system with a brand new high-efficiency furnace and conditioner combo, you can reduce your energy costs by up to 40%. To get the most energy savings from your new HVAC system, install the right insulation, weatherization and thermostat settings.
2. Longevity
A furnace could last for 15-30 years while an AC unit can last up to 15-20 years. HVAC systems are typically replaced when a part begins to wear out or has serious problems that compromise the efficiency of the unit. If this happens, a homeowner is often faced with the choice of whether to replace the air conditioner or furnace. Although it might appear counterintuitive to buy an HVAC system that is brand new if the old one is operating well, it’s usually the most efficient option for homeowners because they can save money on repairs and lower their energy costs with a modern system.
Installing and purchasing two HVAC systems new is costly. A combination of a furnace and air conditioner is much less expensive but it is more expensive. In addition, you only need to maintain the unit once per year instead of twice a year for separate units.
Another way to reduce the overall cost of a furnace and combination is to go for a high-efficiency model. Most modern gas furnaces have an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at minimum 80%, whereas most AC units come with SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or greater. This can help you save on your energy bills and dramatically reduce your home’s heating and cooling expenses.
When you choose a furnace-AC combination from the same company and you’ll also benefit from an excellent energy efficiency because the two systems are compatible. If you select two different brands, remember that a mismatched combo will affect their efficiency and longevity.
Unmatched units can create serious problems that could cause leaks of refrigerant or CO which pose a risk to humans. These problems can also cause damage to your HVAC system and your ductwork.
A Georgia Air Repair professional can repair any type of HVAC equipment. It is crucial to keep in mind that most manufacturers will not honor their warranties if the units are mixed and match. Selecting the same manufacturer for your air conditioning and furnace will ensure that the unit is properly installed, repaired, and will offer the best performance throughout its lifetime.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems can work seamlessly together when you install a furnace and air 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. You’ll save time and money by choosing a unit that works well with the other HVAC component. It will also ensure that your new and old components will function perfectly without voiding one’s warranty or causing any other issues with the HVAC system.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner can provide you with comfort all year long. They can heat and cool the entire house, in contrast to window air conditioners that are only effective during the summer months and can lead to CO poisoning in winter. They are also more robust and reliable than other kinds of cooling and heating systems.
A combination air conditioner and furnace unit can help you save on energy costs as well. While conventional HVAC systems have SEER ratings that range from 0 to 10, a combination unit has a higher SEER rating, giving you more energy savings and convenience. Depending on your rates for utilities and climate, you may even be able to save money by using a heating pump when combined with a gas or electric furnace.
If you’re 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 for two HVAC systems can adversely impact your borrowing capacity for years. Your credit score will be unaffected by purchasing an AC/heater unit with credit approval.
The procedure of replacing a furnace and AC unit is much less difficult using the existing ductwork. The cost of replacing both the furnace and air conditioning could be substantial.
4. Versatility
For those who reside in areas that have moderate temperatures, a furnace AC combination is a good option. It is able to efficiently heat your home in winter months and cool it down during summer. This type of HVAC is also referred to as gas-electric systems uses propane or natural gas to heat your home in winter and electric in the summer. This makes it more adaptable than an air conditioner and furnace combination that can only work in only one mode at a time.
The chemical freon is used by air conditioners to cool your home. The AC unit first compresses the freon before it evaporates to circulate cool air through your house. It also absorbs heat from surrounding air, which helps keep your home cool. If your home is not properly insulated, the evaporation process could cause the air inside your home to lose its cooling capability. This happens when the refrigerant or heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces provide heat to your home through combustion, but are less efficient in heating than air conditioners. Air conditioners are also less able to deal with cold temperatures. Many people in mild climates choose to use a heat pump and oil furnace combination. This type of HVAC combines energy-efficient features from an oil furnace with the reliability of an oil stove.
The key to choosing the right combination of air conditioner and furnace is to ensure that it’s sized correctly for your home. A HVAC expert can assist you in determining which HVAC system will work best for your home. They’ll look at factors like square footage as well as insulation and humidity levels.
A technician who specializes in heating and cooling can assist you in determining the size furnace and air conditioner that you require. They’ll consider your heating and cooling needs as well as any future expansion plans you might have for your home. They’ll also explain the types of incentives and rebates are available to you.
Before purchasing a new HVAC system, you should get three quotes from different contractors. Then, compare the costs and AFUE ratings of each system. Remember that a professional installation of your HVAC system is necessary to ensure your warranty.
