Should you replace a furnace and AC at the same time?
Here in the Carolinas, it's refreshing to come in from the heat to enjoy an iced tea as you cool off in an air-conditioned room. So, when the air conditioning has taken its last breath, there isn’t a hesitation to replace it. But you may have questions when it’s time to replace the system and wonder if it makes sense to upgrade the furnace along with the AC.
How are the two connected? How much is a new furnace and AC in Greenville, SC? Would you save money replacing both at once?
Purchasing new HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) systems is a major decision. Here’s what you need to know to help you decide the best option for your home.
How does a furnace work with an AC unit?
You may wonder why you should be concerned about your furnace in the middle of a balmy Carolina summer. The truth is your furnace and AC operate in conjunction to keep your home a comfortable place to relax.
Here’s how the AC and furnace work together:
- Enhance comfort. Both units adjust the air temperature to increase the comfort of your home environment.
- Share a fan. The furnace and AC use the same fan as they disperse warmed or cooled air.
- Promote efficiency of the AC evaporator coil. Located inside your furnace, the coil absorbs heat and humidity and runs to the outdoor AC unit to release the heat outside.
- Receive signals from the same thermostat. The HVAC system’s thermostat signals the air to heat or cool to deliver climate control.
How does a furnace work with an AC unit?
Although your furnace and AC have several components in common, you may not have to replace both at the same time.
Before opening your wallet to make a significant purchase, consider these factors to decide if replacing both HVAC units is right for your home and budget:
- Compatibility. Matching a new AC to an old furnace will cause issues if elements like the fan don't operate correctly with the new unit. Your AC may be an icebox, but if that cold air isn’t dispersed throughout the house, it will still feel like a sauna. If you replace the AC with a similar model as you had before, you increase the likelihood that the units will work well together.
- Efficiency. You can maximize savings on your energy costs if your furnace and AC have SEER ratings above 16. Matching one above 16 with one below will decrease overall efficiency.
- Age. When replacing your AC, assess the age of your furnace. Your heating unit will live twice as long as your cooling unit, but if your furnace is already over 15 years old, you will save money and effort on installation by upgrading when you replace the AC.
Is it cheaper to replace a furnace and AC together?
If you determine it makes sense to replace both the furnace and AC, count on enjoying some cost-saving benefits. Purchasing both units at the same time ensures you pay a fraction of the installation costs you would’ve paid installing the units separately. Additionally, the system upgrade will provide energy savings and reduce the need for repair.
Quality heating and cooling companies (like Five Star) offer financing programs to assist homeowners in installing a new system. Usually, the first payment is $0, with the first payment due 30 days later. The price varies depending on the size and layout of your home, but you can be sure that the pros at Five Star will help you find the perfect system.
With a new HVAC system that purrs smoothly, you can enjoy your comfortable home environment, customized to your preferred temperature.
Furnace and AC replacement in Brevard and Volusia Counties
It may be more cost effective for you to replace a furnace and AC together in upstate SC. If your old system is below SEER 16 efficiency, your furnace is over 15 years old, or you’re opting for an AC that’s incompatible with the old furnace, update both units and save on installation costs.
The service technicians at Five Star® are dedicated to offering excellent HVAC installation and maintenance services. For competitive furnace and AC replacement costs in Greenville, SC, and expert installation, call us at 864-306-4898 or request service online.