If I Am Replacing My Air Conditioner, Should I Replace My Furnace Also?
Why Replace an Air Conditioner and Furnace at the Same Time in Mansfield, Ohio?
Should a homeowner replace the air conditioner and the furnace together if one gets defective?
This is not a yes or no question. Homeowners can replace the two units at the same time if:
• Both are old (have served more than ten years)
• A homeowner needs to install a new HVAC technology
• The local climate goes to the extremes
• The budget allows
Replacing both the conditioner and the furnace at the same time enhances the heating and cooling efficiency of a home. Two new systems mean two new technologies and two energy-efficient systems to save homeowners money they would have spent on energy bills.
The Age of the AC or Furnace
On average, an air condition or furnace stays functional for 15 years – though some brands will get defective after ten years. As the systems age, they become inefficient and consume a lot of energy. Replacing a faulty furnace and leaving an inefficient conditioner will still not save you money. You can tell a system needs replacement if:
• You spend so much money on repairs
• The system performs inefficiently
• It runs on outdated technology
• It has served you for at least ten years
• Your HVAC power bills are skyrocketing
• The size does not serve your home
• It hurts the environment
Your air conditioner might still be cooling your home just fine when the furnace breaks, but it may take more time to do so. Because the furnace and the AC form a system, it is imperative that both work at the same level of efficiency.
New Technologies are More Efficient
AC and furnace systems from 15 years ago are power guzzlers. Today, HVAC manufacturers create systems that use less energy, run quietly, and produce no fumes.
Most new systems have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of more than 13. A higher SEER rating means higher efficiency. HVAC systems also come with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. AFUE shows how a system performs in different seasons. Modern systems have an AFUE rating of about 90 percent.
By replacing an old AC or furnace, a homeowner reduces energy consumption by almost 20 percent.
Matching Old and New Technology Might Decrease System Performance
Some new technologies do not match with old technologies. When they do, the system performance reduces significantly. When HVAC systems match, they complement each other, making them more efficient to make a home more comfortable.
When the AC and the furnace are both newly replaced, and they complement each other, a homeowner saves money. The two systems will not require repairs soon, and if they do, they are both still under warranty. Modern systems are easy to install and will not cost you much in installation.
Installing a furnace and leaving the AC on will cost homeowners money as the two systems may not match. In conclusion, replacing your AC and heater at the same time increases the longevity and efficiency of an HVAC system.
However, homeowners who replaced one of the systems less than five years ago can replace a furnace without the need to replace the AC and vice versa. Between now and five years ago, HVAC technology has not changed much.