Your heating and cooling equipment are one of the most significant things in your home. Whether you are dealing with extreme and unbearable heat during summer or snowfalls in winter, your HVAC framework is quite important and ought to be in extraordinary condition consistently. This includes your heating equipment which is the furnace and your cooling device which is your air conditioner. You can learn more about your HVAC system here.

Due to aging and other factors like usage and maybe mechanical or electrical issues, your HVAC system will at some time most definitely wear out and need a replacement.

You know that your HVAC system needs a replacement when you find yourself continually spending money on one repair after another. Additionally, outdated technology can also be a reason why you should replace it. In spite of the fact that your AC might still cool, it will not do it as efficiently when it is old and well worn. The same applies to your furnace.

Typically, a furnace can last for between 15 – 20 years while the air conditioning can last anywhere between 12 – 15 years. If you are wondering whether to repair or replace your HVAC system.

If you initially installed both together, the furnace will most likely outlast the air conditioning by around 5 years. The two devices do not necessarily pack up at the same time. This leaves you at a crossroad as you are thinking to yourself if you should replace the air conditioner too when your furnace goes out.

The simple answer to that is if your furnace is over 15 years and your air conditioning is over 10 years, regardless of whether one of the two systems is still functional, it is better to replace both at the same time because within 5 years, you will also need to replace the other one.

When to Replace your HVAC Unit

It is advisable to replace your HVAC units at the same time when:

• Your furnace has been used for over 15 years and your AC for over 10 years.
• You are buying an AC with a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating of 16 and above.
• You won’t be able to afford to replace them later or do not want to be bothered or worried by repairs to your HVAC system.

You can learn more about this here: https://housemethod.com/hvac/when-to-replace-hvac/.

Your AC and furnace share the same indoor unit although they have separate compartments. In the event that you upgrade or replace one system and not the other, you may be wasting money as they use the same blower engine and the equipment you replaced will be partially upgraded. As a result of this, both will not work as efficiently as they should. To put that into context, suppose you replace the AC and leave the furnace without replacing it, because both use the same indoor unit, the AC is just partially upgraded and will not function as optimally as when you replace all the components at the same time.

What are the Benefits of Replacing Your AC and Furnace at the Same Time?

Your HVAC System Runs On Maximum Efficiency

Obviously, newer systems are better designed than older ones bought 15 -20 years ago. They likewise operate at higher efficiency levels. Just see replacing both as an opportunity to upgrade to better equipment. You should get systems with at least a SEER of 13 and an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 90% rating. With these, you can lower your energy costs and even get tax credits.

You Get to Save Money Over Time

Although replacing both your AC and furnace at the same time may seem expensive, but in the long run, it is cheaper than upgrading one and waiting to replace the other later. You will not need to spend additional money on repairs and because the newer systems are better at energy saving, you spend less on energy compared to an older one.

You Get Better Results

Combining newer technologies with older ones does not give you the best of results as the older system may not allow the newer one to perform as effectively as it should. This will hinder you from enjoying the full benefits of your HVAC system.

If you are at the point where you feel you need to change your systems, you need to get as much information as you can. We have shared some here and you can look for any HVAC blog or any other source of information from where you can get help you if you are still in doubt as to what to do.

Conclusion

Your HVAC system needs to be in great shape all through the year as it serves as a form of protection for you and your family particularly during seasons and periods of extreme weather. To this end, replacing them when then they are old and less efficient or effective is necessary. This not only saves you cost on repairs but also ensures that your family is comfortable all year round.