It is a common occurrence. Your air conditioner conks out and your furnace is still working. Or your furnace decides to retire and your air conditioner is in great shape.
What should you do?
Is it okay to mix and match furnace and air conditioner units? For that matter, what if you find a great deal on a new furnace or AC and it isn’t the same brand as the other unit you’ve already got? Can you mix and match HVAC brands?
The answer is simply that it depends on units and brands themselves. Read on to learn what our HVAC Hamilton service technicians recommend to our customers who find themselves in this situation.
The Upside of a Mix and Match Heating and Air Conditioning Combo
As with every other decision in life, there are pros and cons to consider before you replace a major appliance like a furnace or air conditioner.
Let’s look at the bright side of a mix and match furnace AC combo first.
1. You save money upfront.
There is everything to love about keeping more cash in your wallet when you only replace your AC or furnace and not both.
2. You maximize your investment in the other working appliance.
You might even be able to save more money by replacing your non-working appliance with a used version of the same (especially if it is the same brand as your still-working appliance).
This way, you maximize the value you get out of both appliances and can eventually replace them together with a new furnace AC combo unit.
3. You minimize the stress of having to choose two new appliances at once.
If choosing one new appliance is stressful, choosing two new appliances is doubly so.
You buy yourself some breathing room and time to research if you don’t replace both your furnace and air conditioner at the same time.
The Downside of a Mix and Match Furnace AC Combo
Unfortunately, most experts agree that the upside, while significant, generally won’t compensate for the downside of a mix and match HVAC system.
This is even more true when you are mixing and matching different appliance brands.
Let’s take a look at why you will want to think long and hard before opting for a mix and match heating and air conditioning system.
1. You could potentially void your HVAC warranty.
Here, it is really worth a careful review of your HVAC appliance warranties – both the existing appliance(s), if applicable, and for the new appliance(s).
Even if your existing AC or furnace unit is out of warranty, your new furnace or AC will likely be under warranty from day one.
Many HVAC manufacturers will deny claims if a new appliance is paired with an older or different brand appliance. Such a pairing can cause extra wear and tear on the new unit, resulting in costly claims.
2. Your new appliance may not be compatible with your existing appliance.
Even worse, you could get your new appliance home only to discover it is not compatible with the older appliance you already own!
Here, before you buy, be sure that your new unit is eligible for returns.
3. You may find your mismatched appliances are more expensive to run.
Even if your new furnace or air conditioner does work reasonably well in tandem with its mix-and-match partner, you could wind up watching your monthly energy bills steadily rise.
For general purposes, the HVAC industry’s technology is increasing to the point where any unit five years or older simply cannot match the energy efficiency of its newer counterparts.
The reality is, your air conditioner and furnace will both need to use the same air handler and delivery system. This is why having two units with mismatched energy efficiency ratings could drive up energy costs, especially during winter.
What Is a Furnace AC Combo System?
If neither one of these two choices – a mix and match HVAC system or a total upgrade to a new AC and furnace – sound appealing, there is a third option to consider.
This option is to go for a combo unit. What is a furnace and A/C combo unit?
In a nutshell, it is an all-in-one appliance or packaged unit that is perfectly paired in every way.
With a furnace and A/C combo packaged unit, you get all of the following:
- Seamless integration with a shared air handler and distribution system.
- Guaranteed warranty coverage for both components (as long as all the other warranty requirements are met).
- Matched energy efficiency ratings so you can accurately estimate your energy costs for both heating and cooling.
- Peace of mind that you won’t have to replace either appliance for many years to come (10+ years in most cases).
- One installation charge and the assurance that both appliances are installed and working properly (this one perk alone can add up to thousands of dollars in savings).
- Reliably quiet, eco-friendly operation year-round.
Save $1,200 When You Install a Perfectly Paired AC and Furnace Combo Unit RIGHT NOW
Through the end of February 2022, you can save $1,200 right out of the box by choosing one of our affordably priced, perfectly paired, eco-friendly, quiet and efficient AC and furnace combo units.
Reach Out To Shipton’s HVAC Hamilton Service Technicians
Furnace or AC on the fritz? We will never leave you to freeze or overheat! Our 24/7 emergency service is a customer favourite!
Our uniformed technicians are prompt, polite and highly trained to service all makes and models of HVAC equipment. Whether you need:
- A new heating and air conditioning combo unit
- HVAC maintenance
- Air conditioner or furnace repair
- or a FREE ESTIMATE!
Give us a call at 1-905-549-4616 or visit us online to let us know how we can serve you best.
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