If your air conditioner has developed problems or your furnace has stopped working, you’ll need to think about a replacement. While you may have started looking at your options, have you considered replacing your air conditioner and furnace together? Even if one of your pieces of equipment is still working, replacing both systems together can offer some great benefits.
Repair or Replace
If you are thinking about replacing your furnace, you may have considered simply having your air conditioner repaired to try to optimize efficiency. Although this may appear less costly than replacing both systems together, it can sometimes be a good choice. The main thing to consider is the age of your equipment. While furnaces do tend to last a few years longer than a typical air conditioner, generally, the older your equipment, the less efficient it will be. This means that while you may be able to scrape another couple of years from an existing piece of equipment with some repairs, you may end up spending more on energy bills.
Matching Old and New Technology
Another issue that may arise is matching your old appliance with new technology. In some cases, mixing old and new can decrease the overall system performance. Purchasing matched systems will allow the equipment to complement each other, ensuring that the systems perform properly, offering you optimum efficiency and the perfect balance of home comfort.
Long Term Savings
While there is a greater initial outlay, replacing your air conditioner and furnace together can provide long term savings. When the components have been matched, they are designed to work in concert and offer maximum energy efficiency. This means that you can enjoy savings on your energy bills from day one. Additionally, since both systems are brand new, they will be covered by a warranty, which means that you can also avoid costly repair bills. So, while it may be daunting to consider investing in a new furnace and new air conditioner together, there are significant long term savings to be had.
The Problems of Mismatched Systems
There are a number of issues that can be caused by having a mismatched system that can be negated by replacing your equipment at the same time. These include a decreased lifespan. According to AHRI (Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute) data, improperly matched air conditioners and furnaces suffer from significantly compromised lifespans. You may find that your new unit suffers from premature breakdowns, as the mismatch causes undue stress on the new equipment. You may also find the warranty for your new equipment is compromised as the mismatched equipment has created problems that have invalidated your coverage.
While purchasing a new furnace and new air conditioner is obviously more costly initially, you can minimize installation costs and save on your energy bills. By purchasing a matched system, you can increase efficiency to reduce your energy costs, repair bills and other heating and cooling expenses. So, if your furnace is on its last legs or your air conditioner is due for replacement, it is well worth thinking about replacing the two systems at the same time.