Everyone desires comfortable temperatures in their home year-round, and a well-functioning furnace and air conditioner are necessary to maintain ideal temperatures no matter the season. When you consider a furnace or air conditioner replacement, you may think it is more cost-effective to replace the faulty system and wait to replace the other when it starts malfunctioning. Contrary to that, you can save money and energy in the long run if you replace the air conditioner and furnace simultaneously.
The average modern furnace lasts 15-20 years and a central air conditioning system lasts about 12-15 years before needing replacement, depending on the quality and efficiency of the systems. Before replacing any system, we recommend learning about the features and technologies of newer units and consulting a heating & air conditioning professional in St. Louis to determine if your furnace and air conditioner need to be replaced.
Furnace and Air Conditioner Replacement Equals Comfort Year-Round
There are many advantages of replacing your air conditioner and furnace at the same time, and these are why we recommend doing so:
- Increased energy efficiency: Today’s heating and cooling systems are extremely efficient and use considerably less energy than units built only 10-15 years ago. Every air conditioning unit manufactured today has a minimum government standard SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of 13. It is easy to look up and compare these ratings to when considering an air conditioner replacement. The higher the SEER rating, the more cost-effective and energy efficient the unit is. For furnaces, the rating is known as an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating, which measures the seasonal performance. An AFUE rating of 90% or higher is recommended for new furnace systems. Keep in mind that boilers and heat pump systems will have a different recommended number.
- Avoid mixing old and new systems. When you try to integrate a new system with an old one, you can decrease overall system functionality and performance. Mixing an efficient unit with an older one means that the components will not be able to work together and the new system will be unable to operate at its full potential. Therefore, make sure when you replace your air conditioner, you consider replacing your furnace as well.
- Matched systems work together. The furnace and air conditioning unit share the same blower, or air handler. When you do a furnace and air conditioner replacement at the same time utilizing an efficient blower, it ensures both systems will operate effectively and cohesively.
- Save money by doing an air conditioner replacement with a furnace replacement. Matched systems are built to work together to increase efficiency. When you replace your air conditioner and furnace, you will save money both through the warranty and on repairs, since new systems require less repair work. When replacing them together, you will also save money on installation fees, since you only have to pay the fee once.
Possible Problems with Combining a New and Old System
When you replace one system before the other, you run the risk of discomfort, irritation, or additional costs. It can also lower the life expectancy of the new unit you have spent a significant amount of money on.
Another important factor to consider is that manufacturers will sometimes not honor warranties of recently installed systems if they are combined with an older unit when a breakdown occurs during the warranty timeframe. When you do a furnace and air conditioner replacement at the same time, it will ensure you have warranty protection if the need arises.
To learn more about air conditioner and furnace replacement and to schedule a consultation in St. Louis, give us a call at 314-993-1110 or request a quote for a new HVAC system online.
