Furnace and AC Replacement

If you’re in the market for a new furnace or AC, it’s likely you’ve asked yourself the question, “Should I replace my furnace and AC at the same time?”

The short answer is that yes, sometimes this makes the best sense. This is in part because keeping your home temperature at comfortable levels is the job of both your furnace and your AC and replacing them together can result in better long-term cost savings.

Read on to learn how, depending on your circumstances, this combined replacement option can save you money and create maximum HVAC efficiency.

3 Reasons to Replace a Furnace and AC Together

Cost-effectiveness. Replacing both units together will be more cost-effective when it comes to overall labor costs, especially. Additionally, compatible systems are often bundled at a lower cost.
Avoid mismatched energy efficiency. Newer HVAC appliances operate at a higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER), meaning their energy use and cost to operate are much lower, which is great! So, while replacing either your furnace or AC for a higher SEER unit is a good thing, having mismatched energy efficiency ratings between your new furnace and your old AC can potentially do more harm than good. A large gap in efficiency can lead to one system being overworked, and the other being underutilized.
Compatible systems. Better compatibility between your furnace and AC typically means more efficient home heating and cooling. Units that are more closely designed to work together will do just that. An outdated system paired alongside a more technologically advanced one may struggle to keep up and result in premature wear.

Do You Need to Replace a Furnace with an AC?

The short answer: no. While there are many reasons to replace your furnace and AC at the same time, there are equally many reasons why you may not need to, including:

System is fairly new. If you need to replace a broken furnace, but your AC is only a few years old, there’s really no reason to replace both. As long as they’re able to efficiently work together, we don’t advise investing more money into a model that’s only slightly newer.
Budget. No need to put yourself into debt for an additional heating or cooling system that isn’t critical. If you’re not sure what fits best into your budget, our service professionals can provide you with expert advice.
Additional options. Upgrading to an entirely new system may be the best and most affordable option for your home. A mini-split system can replace both your furnace and AC and provide your home with better home heating and cooling. Or, upgrading to an electric furnace instead of gas or oil can greatly reduce energy use.

How Does a Furnace Work with AC?

Together, your furnace and AC work to keep the air in your home clean, the temperature consistent, and the humidity stable.

Though they serve opposite purposes of heating versus cooling, your furnace and AC use the same ventilation system to circulate air throughout your home. Because of this, they also often share the same air blower to distribute this air and thermostat to control temperature.

How Much is a New Furnace and AC?

Ultimately, the furnace and AC replacement cost depends on the type of unit, fuel, efficiency, brand, labor, and additional installation needs. For these reasons, you may spend significantly more or less on a new furnace or AC, especially when purchasing different unit types and paying for separate labor services. Which brings us to our next point: Is it cheaper to replace a furnace and AC together?

Though the upfront purchase cost of replacing your furnace and AC together rather than separately is more expensive, the long-term return on investment makes it much more affordable.

Furnace and AC Replacement in Fulton County, GA

In summary, replacing your furnace and AC together is often the better long-term investment for your home. But there are many things to consider before investing in this dual upgrade. For an accurate assessment of which replacement option is the best fit for your home heating and cooling needs, count on the experts at Cunningham Associates^®. Request service online, or give us a call at 770-343-7565.