You should be warm and comfortable in the winter and cool in the summer with a decent HVAC system. Nevertheless, it could be tempting to just replace the damaged device if your air conditioner has stopped working but your furnace is still operational, or vice versa. However, replacing both your furnace and AC at the same time, even if one of them is still operational, may ultimately save you money and energy. Continue reading to find out the certain benefits and possible drawbacks for your house and budget if you replace your furnace and air conditioner at the same time.

Why Should You Replace Both AC and Furnace at the Same Time

One cozy house can be achieved with two innovative methods. The following are some benefits of simultaneously building a new air conditioning and heating system:

Energy Efficiency of HVAC Systems

Compared to systems constructed only ten or fifteen years ago, heating and air conditioning systems made today are far more energy-efficient and require less energy. When doing research, you may quickly evaluate the efficiency of various air conditioning systems by looking up the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating. They use less energy and have lower operating costs the higher their SEER rating.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) indicates that as of January 2023, the minimum standard for AC units in northern areas is 14 SEER, while in southern states, it is 15 SEER. Therefore, in order to avoid having to replace your AC system too soon, you should choose a unit with one of these higher SEER ratings if you plan to acquire a new one soon.

Annual Fuel Usage Efficiency (AFUE), a gauge of seasonal performance, is the official grading system used by the DOE for furnaces. An AFUE of 90% or above is often advised for a new, energy-efficient furnace system. The suggested number for heat pump systems and boilers will range significantly.

Depending on the quality and efficiency of the equipment, a contemporary furnace should last 15 to 20 years, and a central air conditioning system should last 12 to 15 years.

Performance of the Furnace and AC

The lifetime of the new system you have purchased may be shortened if you combine it with an outdated, ineffective system. Your whole HVAC system may be improved by changing only one component, which will significantly reduce the efficiency of both appliances. You won’t be able to fully benefit from new technology if you combine it with an outdated system when it comes to efficiency.

Make sure you comprehend your warranty completely as well. When new systems are merged with older systems and one of the systems breaks down during the warranty term, manufacturers may have no need to honor the warranties of the combined systems. If you replace both systems at the same time, your warranty will be protected in case you need it.

Matched HVAC Systems Work Well Together An air handler, also known as a blower, is shared by a central air conditioning system and a furnace system. You may have the necessary level of comfort in your house when both systems are operating well thanks to a matched system and an effective handler.

Cost Savings Over Time

A matched system will save you money since all the parts are designed to function together for long-term optimal efficiency. Both systems will be covered by warranty if repairs are required (modern systems will need fewer repairs overall). Additionally, the installation procedure will probably be less difficult and complex. When the time comes to repair the furnace, for instance, you will probably have to pay for its installation later. However, if you replace the air conditioner first and the heating system last, the overall cost of installation will probably be lower.

Reasons to Avoid Replacing Your Furnace and Air Conditioner at the Same Time

Even while upgrading an AC and furnace at the same time has numerous benefits, it’s not the best option for every household. Even if just one item isn’t broken, there are still drawbacks to installing a brand-new HVAC system, including the following:

Your System Is Quite Recent and Functions Well

There’s really no need to replace the working equipment if your air conditioner and furnace are just a few years old and everything appears to be well with them. But if your appliance isn’t performing to par, here’s a helpful guideline to go by: It’s usually preferable to replace rather than repair a furnace or air conditioning unit if fixing it would cost more than half as much as purchasing a new one and the equipment is older than six years.

Spending Plan

Avoid forcing yourself into a difficult financial scenario if you can’t afford to repair the damaged equipment in addition to a new heater or air conditioner.

Cost of Furnace and AC Replacement

The cost of replacing an AC and furnace varies. The average cost of a new furnace is around $5,500, with a usual range of $2,600 to $6,400. The average cost to install a new air conditioning unit is from $3,800 to $7,500. However, the average cost of a new HVAC system is $7,500, with most cases falling between $5,000 and $12,500.

Hiring a professional to install both appliances at once might save you money. Purchasing a heater and air conditioner together at the same time as opposed to purchasing them separately at various periods might sometimes even result in savings.