April 05, 2018 Show
If you’re planning to replace both your furnace and your air conditioner at the same time, you can expect to pay anywhere from $8,000 to $15,000+. While that price can seem steep for some Colorado homeowners, the actual price you pay depends on: a) The efficiency levels of the units We’ll cover those 4 factors in more detail below. But first, let’s make sure you absolutely need to replace both your furnace and your air conditioner… First, determine whether you really need to replace bothWe won’t lie—some HVAC companies will push homeowners to replace their AC and furnace in the same project when it’s not necessarily needed. Their motive for this is clear: More money. To save you from that trap, we’ll explain the 3 instances when it’s best to replace both your AC and furnace: 1) When the AC is over 10 and the furnace is over 15. Related:
How Often Should I Replace My Air Conditioner?2) If you’re upgrading your AC efficiency. So, if you spend extra money to upgrade your AC but leave the furnace and blower motor as it is, you’re basically wasting money since the AC is only half upgraded and won’t work as efficiently as it’s designed to. If you’re upgrading to an AC with a SEER over 16, you should consider upgrading the furnace as well. 3) If you know you won’t be able to afford an
installation later. Are you absolutely sure that you need to replace both your AC and furnace together? If so, your biggest question is most likely about cost. To help you budget appropriately, let’s look at 3 factors that will affect your installation price. Factors that affect the cost of an AC + furnace installation1) The efficiency level of the units An AC SEER label (left) and a furnace AFUE label (right). What they mean… a)
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating): A number from 13 to 21+ that measures how efficient an AC unit is. The higher the number, the more efficiently the AC can cool your home (i.e., lower energy bills) When it comes to choosing your SEER/AFUE, it’s important that the AC efficiency not greatly exceed the furnace’s (or vice versa). Remember, your AC and furnace work like conjoined twins since they share an indoor unit. So, if one system is much less efficient than the other, it decreases the other system’s efficiency. Ask your contractor for SEER and AFUE ratings that will complement each other and save you the most money in the long run. Want more information on SEER and AFUE? Check out our blogs: a) SEER vs SEER: Comparing AC Efficiency Ratings for Your Denver Home 2) The size of the units a) ACs are sized in “tonnage”, which measures the amount of cooling the unit can provide in an hour. Typically, residential ACs range from 1-ton units to 5-ton units (half sizes included, i.e., 2.5 tons). Related: How to Estimate AC Size for Your Denver HomeBut beware of techs who only use rule-of-thumbs to size your HVAC system (i.e., only looking at square footage of your home). This “shortcut” often leaves homeowners with furnaces/ACs that are either too big or too small for their home, which can result in: a) Higher-than-necessary energy bills 3) The features/technology you choose Optional comfort features include: a) Variable-speed technology. This technology means that the shared blower motor and/or the AC compressor is able to continually adjust its speed to provide the precise amount of heat/cold air needed at any time. This provides lower energy bills and higher comfort. Related: “Single-stage vs Two-Stage vs Variable Speed ACs for Denver Homes”. 4) The HVAC contractor you choose When choosing an HVAC company to install your furnace and AC, be wary of contractors who charge much lower prices than others. This usually means that the quality of the installation will be low—which can result in improper installation, frequent repairs and high energy bills. Instead, assume that slightly higher prices mean a quality installation backed by a professional company who will provide excellent service. To help you choose a quality professional, follow these tips: a) Make sure the company is licensed and
insured in the state of Colorado Related: "7 Things to Look for in the Best HVAC Contractor in Denver, CO" Need a quote on your furnace + AC combo installation in the Denver metro area?Just contact us! We’ll send over an HVAC tech who can help you choose the heating and cooling system that’s best for your Denver area home. Then, we’ll complete the project quickly and correctly—on your schedule. See also:
Should I replace my furnace and air conditioner at the same time?Replacing both the AC and furnace at the same time reduces your energy bill. Replacing an old furnace with a new high-efficiency model can save up to 33% on your annual heating bill. Replacing just the air conditioner alone in a home that has an old heating system can be a waste of money.
How much are air conditioners and furnaces?Heating and AC Unit Combo Tiers. How long should a furnace and air conditioner last?A: On Average, 10-20 Years
Here are the average life expectancies of different HVAC systems: Air conditioners and heat pumps: 10 to 15 years. Furnaces and boilers: 15 to 20 years. Geothermal: 30 years.
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