Furnace and Air Conditioner Combo
The same blower is used to distribute conditioned air throughout your home. They can also be controlled via smart thermostats.
If you are using an alternative model of furnace and AC, your warranty could be voided on both units. Matching the two units saves time and money when it comes to maintenance and repairs.
1. Energy Efficiency
Modern air conditioners and furnaces are energy efficient, particularly when paired together. You can save a significant amount on your energy costs by selecting a gas heater and an air conditioner that has SEER ratings. To get the most efficient results get a professional to do an energy calculation for your home. This will help you determine the appropriate size and type of system that is appropriate for your space.
Furnaces produce heat by using propane or natural gas to burn fuel and create hot steam. This steam then circulates through ductwork, warming 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 just right, never being too cold or too hot.
You should consider a variable speed AC unit if you wish to further increase the energy efficiency of your system. This technology allows the air conditioner to run at a lower power and allows it to better remove moisture from the air.
The heat pumps are a fantastic alternative for homeowners living in mild climates. They can provide heating and cooling without burning fuel. They transfer heat from your home into outside air, which reduces energy costs and impact on the environment.
A hybrid system, which combines a heat pump with a traditional gas furnace for back-up warmth in the coldest winter months is an alternative. A new high efficiency heat pump uses the same technology to transfer warmth from one region of your home to another but with a gas furnace added for backup during the coldest temperatures.
You can cut your home’s energy bills by as much as 40% if you replace your old, inefficient HVAC system. For the best energy savings from your new system, install the right insulation and thermostat settings, as well as weatherization.
2. Longevity
The lifespan of a furnace is between 15 and 30 years and an AC unit can last for 15 to 20 years. HVAC systems are typically replaced when a component starts to get old or suffers from serious problems that compromise the efficiency of the unit. A homeowner will often have to decide whether or not to replace their air conditioner or furnace when this happens. While it may appear counterintuitive to buy a new HVAC system when the old one is working well, it is often the best option for homeowners as they can reduce repair costs and lower their energy costs by investing in a modern HVAC system.
The purchase and installation of two new HVAC systems can be costly. A furnace and air conditioner combo is less costly but it is more expensive. In addition, you only need to maintain the system once per year instead of twice a year with separate units.
Another method to cut down on the overall cost of a furnace and combination is to go for a high-efficiency system. Modern gas furnaces typically have an AFUE (annual energy efficiency ratio) of at minimum 80%, whereas most AC units have a SEER (seasonal performance rating) of 16 or greater. This will help you save money on your energy bills, and reduce your cooling and heating costs.
If you select a furnace and AC combination from the same manufacturer, you’ll also benefit from high energy efficiency and longevity as the systems will work well together. However, if you choose to go with two different brands it is important to keep in mind that a combination that is not compatible will decrease their life span and performance.
Incorrectly matched units can cause serious issues that could lead to dangerous refrigerant and CO leaks. These issues could also cause damage to your ductwork, which can affect the efficiency of your HVAC system.
A specialist from Georgia Air Repair can perform accurate HVAC repairs on any type of equipment. It is important to keep in mind that the majority of manufacturers won’t respect their warranties if the units are mixed and match. Selecting the same manufacturer for your air conditioning and furnace will ensure that your unit is properly installed, repaired, and will offer the highest performance throughout its lifetime.
3. Convenience
Both HVAC systems can work seamlessly together when you install a furnace-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 can save time and money by choosing an appliance that is compatible with the other HVAC component. It will also help to ensure that your existing and new components will function effectively without voiding the other’s warranty or causing any other issues with the HVAC system.
A combination of a furnace and air conditioner in your home will provide you with year round comfort. They can cool and heat the entire house, in contrast to window air conditioners that are only effective in summer and can cause CO poisoning in winter. They are also more robust and reliable than other kinds of heating and cooling systems.
You can also reduce your energy bills by using a furnace and air conditioner combination unit. Combination units have a higher SEER rating than traditional HVAC systems. This enables you to save energy and enjoy greater convenience. It is possible to save money by using a heatpump in conjunction with a gas or electric furnace, depending on your energy costs.
If you’re thinking of purchasing your air conditioner and furnace through credit, you may want to consider a combo unit instead of two separate units. Credit card purchases of two HVAC systems could negatively impact your borrowing capacity for years. If you purchase a single AC heater and combo unit using a credit card that is approved, your credit score will not take any hits at all.
A furnace and air conditioner combo will also allow you to make use of existing ductwork, making the process much less difficult than just replacing an AC unit or a brand new furnace. The replacement of both the air conditioner and furnace will require extensive ductwork that can be costly.
4. Versatility
For those who reside in areas with moderate temperatures, a furnace AC combo can be a great option. It can heat your home efficiently in the winter and cool it in summer. Also called gas-electric systems, this type of HVAC system makes use of propane gas or natural gas to warm your home in the winter and electricity to cool it down in the summer. This makes it more flexible than an air conditioner/furnace combo that can only work in one way.
Air conditioners use an ingredient called freon in order 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 air surrounding your home, which helps to keep it cool. If your home isn’t well insulated, the evaporation process could cause the air in your home to lose its cooling capacity. This happens when the refrigerant leaks, or the heat exchanger wears out.
Furnaces provide heat to your home through combustion, but they are less efficient at heating than air conditioners. Air conditioners are also less able to deal with cold temperatures. This is why many people living in mild climates opt for an oil furnace and heat pump combination. This type of HVAC system is a combination of energy-efficient features from a heatpump with the reliability of an oil stove.
The most important factor to consider when choosing the right combination of air conditioner and furnace is making sure it’s sized correctly for your home. A HVAC expert can help you determine which HVAC system is best for your home. They’ll look at factors such as square footage, levels of humidity, and insulation.
A technician who specializes in cooling and heating will also help you determine the size furnace and air conditioner that you need. They’ll take into account your heating and cooling needs, as well any future expansion plans you might have for your home. They’ll also explain the types of rebates and incentives are available to you.
Get three quotes from different contractors before you purchase a new HVAC unit. Then, compare the costs and AFUE ratings for each system. Remember that a professional installation of your HVAC system is essential to ensure your warranty.