Revised:
June 9th, 2022
Knowing whether or not to replace your whole HVAC system or just an air conditioner or furnace can be one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the next 20 years. In this video, we’ll go over why you would and wouldn’t want to replace both systems simultaneously.
Hi, I’m Bryan with Fire & Ice. Like all things, air conditioners and furnaces have a life expectancy. Whether yours has recently gone kaput or it’s something you’ve been planning for a while, a question comes up: should you replace both units simultaneously? The answer is, that it all depends. In this video, we’ll go over why you should and shouldn’t replace both the air conditioner and furnaces simultaneously.
Top Reasons to Replace Both A/C and Furnace at the Same Time
Let’s get started and go over the reasons why replacing both the air conditioner and furnace at the same time makes sense. First, it can be more cost-effective since you won’t need to pay separate expenses for labor and permit fees. Additionally, many manufacturers and contractors offer incentives for purchasing complete systems. Finally, with an average air conditioner costing between $4,000 and $13,000 and furnace replacements costing between $3,000 and $8,000, it may make sense to do the whole system together.
Another reason to replace both units simultaneously is that your HVAC equipment isn’t the correct size. It’s essential to have an HVAC system sized appropriately for your home. Otherwise, you may experience higher utility bills, temperature swings, and potential premature breakdowns.
The third reason is if you plan on upgrading your air conditioner. Air conditioners today come with various features with multi-stage or variable speed compressors and communicating technology. When replacing an older single-stage air conditioner with a model with more bells and whistles a furnace with comparable features will be needed to get the most out of the new system.
The fourth reason is when you want to maximize your comfort. New equipment with multi-stage or variable speed blowers paired together will help solve indoor comfort concerns such as uneven temperatures and hot and cold spots. It can also help lower utility bills. And if you opt for a system with communicating technology, you’re taking your comfort to the next level. You’ll be able to keep the temperature inside your home within a half degree all year long.
The last reason to replace both units simultaneously is to have your warranties in sync. Most manufacturers honor a 10-year or greater warranty on new equipment with proper annual maintenance. Replacing both systems allows for less guesswork on which system is or isn’t under warranty and gives you peace of mind knowing everything is protected should a repair is needed.
Tpp Reasons Not to Replace Both A/C and Furnace at the Same Time
There are a number of reasons why you’d want to wait to replace both systems. It could be money, remaining life expectancy, or plans to move shortly. The list goes on. But it’s important to know what scenarios make the most sense not to replace both systems together.
The first is when you replace your furnace. We already touched on this a bit ago. Your air conditioner needs your furnace to work, but your furnace doesn’t need your air conditioner. So if you upgrade your furnace to, say, a variable speed system, your air conditioner will continue to work. And in all honesty, probably see a boost as well since the furnace’s variable speed blower can help deliver more consistent even temperatures throughout your home. However, when the time does come to replace your air conditioner you’ll want to consider air conditioners compatible with the new furnace.
Now, if you are planning on replacing just your air conditioner, you won’t need to replace your furnace as long as your current one is compatible. However, keep in mind that if you plan to upgrade your furnace in the future, it’ll need to be compatible with the air conditioner you’re planning on installing.
Another reason to only replace one unit at a time is when the other units are newer or working fine. There’s the old adage, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. The important thing is that your current heating and cooling needs are being met, whether or not that’s using existing or new equipment.
The last reason is simply you don’t want to. The world is your oyster, and the decision is ultimately yours. Replacing both your air conditioner and your furnace simultaneously has its benefits, but sometimes those benefits don’t align with your goals.
Which is right for you?
I hope you have a better idea of which scenario is right for you by now. We believe it’s essential to educate our customers to make informed decisions. If you’d like to meet with one of our residential sales professionals and discuss your options, click the free estimate button at the top of the page. We’d be happy to sit down with you and discuss your options. Thank you for watching, and we look forward to making your day better.
