We are often asked if you should replace both the heater and the air conditioner at the same time. Of course as with anything, it depends. But the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages.
The first thing to consider is what kind of system you have now. If you have an all-in-one packaged system with the heating and air all in the same box, it all as to be changed out together.
If you currently have a split heat pump system, because the refrigerant (Freon) runs through both components, the outdoor heat pump and indoor air handler both need to be replaced at the same time if it is an old R-22 system. The new (for now) refrigerant R410a cannot be commingled with a R-22 system because the controls, valves, and other components are designed at different pressures.
One caveat is if you have a fairly new gas furnace and an older air conditioner, we can replace the outdoor air conditioner with a heat pump and now you have what we call a dual fuel system. The heat pump becomes your main heat source, but your existing gas furnace is still functional as the back-up heat.
Some pros to replacing an entire split system at the same time are:
- Locking in current pricing. If you replace a portion of your system now, but wait until later to replace the other component(s) then there is always the risk of the price increasing over time. Especially as exponentially as it has the past few years.
- Saving labor costs. When we replace just a furnace, it is still connected to the indoor cooling coil portion of the air conditioning system. So all of that has to be moved out of the way to install the new furnace, then reconnected and sealed. Down the road when the air conditioner and coil are to be replaced we have to do the same task again.
- Saving on fees for permits and state testing. Every component that is replaced requires a permit be pulled. And the state has testing requirements that are performed by our technicians and sometimes a third party who have to certify our testing.
- More combinations of offerings are available when everything is done at the same time. A newer 2-stage or variable speed air conditioner won’t be able to function properly (or at all) with an older single stage furnace. This will limit your options if you choose to do one component at a time.
- More efficient systems. Much like the combination offerings, you will be limited in how efficient of a system we can put in for you if you only replace part of the system.
- Incentives for replacement in the form of rebates or credits are generally reserved for complete system replacements.
- Better financing options. Sometimes you can only use financing on complete system replacements.
- Risk possible failure of the older component sooner than expected. This isn’t due to our working on the system, it is just the nature of life that if you go through the time and effort to replace part of your system, it could be that the other component is ready to be replaced as well, especially if they are the same age).
- Saving your time. Between gathering estimate(s), pre-installation visits, the installation time, being home for testing and inspections; it all all adds up quickly and if you replace the system in stages then you’ll need to set aside that time again when the time comes.
Cons:
- Upfront cost. It goes without saying that replacing a major appliance for your home can be very expensive. We understand, and we do have many payment options to help make it a bit easier to handle the overall cost regardless if you’re replacing the whole heating and cooling system, or just a portion of it at this time.
