Do You Need to Replace Furnace with AC?

Furnaces typically last 15 or 20 years. Replacing an aging furnace can be a time-consuming but necessary process. Many homeowners wonder if they should replace the air conditioning along with the furnace, rather than having to tear apart their heating and cooling system a second time when the air conditioner breaks down. Do you need to replace your furnace with AC?

Several factors might influence this decision. Consider the type of climate control system you have for your house. The age and condition of your air conditioner are also important. Lastly, consider whether the furnace replacement is part of a larger renovation project that could impact your air conditioning.

What Type of Air Conditioning Do You Have?

There are three common ways to cool your house with air conditioning. The old-fashioned system uses window-mounted air conditioning units that cool individual rooms.

More modern houses often have integrated Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems that incorporate both the furnace and the air conditioning units together with ductwork that carries temperature-controlled air to every room in the house.

More recently, split air conditioning units have become more popular. They consist of individual wall-mounted air conditioning units connected to a single condenser. Split AC allows homeowners to set the temperature individually for each room without needing a bulky and noisy full AC unit inside the house.

To learn more about split designs, read our article on comparing window and split AC.

If you have window AC units in your home, they operate independently of the furnace. There would be no reason to replace the wall units unless they were also showing wear and tear.

However, if you want to install a more contemporary HVAC or split system, combining the furnace replacement with the new AC installation has several benefits. You could save money compared to two separate installations, and you would have the opportunity to choose furnace and AC models that are compatible with one another and able to work together as a unit. It would be a shame to install a new furnace only to have to replace it again when you install an HVAC system.

If you have an HVAC system with ductwork and vents that serve both the furnace and the air conditioner, it might make sense to replace them together. As air conditioners and furnaces age, they often develop problems that affect the ductwork and clog the vents. It might not be optimal to install a new furnace into a system that has wear and tear from serving an aging furnace or AC.

If you upgrade your AC to a new split system, you could replace your furnace with an energy-efficient heat pump. In this case, you might use an air handler instead of a furnace to move heated or cooled air through the house. 

Is Your Furnace Working Well?

If your furnace is less than 10 years old and is in good condition, you would sacrifice up to a decade of the furnace’s lifespan by replacing it early. The money you save by bundling the installation would most likely not outweigh the cost of a new furnace when you don’t need one.

Is the Furnace Compatible with Your New Air Conditioning System?

If you’ve already decided to replace your air conditioner, you might have some models in mind. You might have considered the energy efficiency and SEER rating of the options. Consider whether your current furnace blower motor is up to the task of working with your air conditioning system. 

In an HVAC or split system, the AC depends on the furnace’s blower motor to circulate air through your house. If the furnace can’t keep pace with the new high-efficiency air conditioner, you won’t save much money on energy bills despite the new AC.

Do You Need a Furnace Upgrade?

An older furnace might not meet the changing needs of your home or your family. If you have increased the square footage of your home, you might need a larger furnace. If you can reduce your energy bills by installing a more energy-efficient model, the savings could offset the cost of the furnace replacement. It may not be obvious when you need a furnace upgrade, so homeowners should consider their options with the guidance of a professional HVAC technician who has experience with modern furnaces, HVAC systems, and split systems.

It All Comes Down to Timing

Your new AC unit will probably last 10 or 15 years. By that time, will your furnace still be running? Could upgrading your furnace 10 years from now give you the opportunity to install a future model that improves on furnaces available today? On the other hand, does waiting mean that you have to deal with a failing furnace five years from now?

If, for example, you are raising children, why not give them the best heating and AC? On the other hand, if you plan to spend the next five or ten years renovating your house, letting the furnace muddle along until you’re finished might be a better choice. A professional can help you understand and weigh your options.

Professional Furnace and Air Conditioner Replacement

A new furnace or air conditioner is a costly investment that affects your enjoyment of your home for the next 20 years. If you have young children, they will spend the rest of their childhoods in the warmth and cool air of the system that you install. Be sure to hire the best, most experienced contractors in your area and carefully consider your options.

The HVAC technicians at Inland Empire Comfort are the local air conditioning repair experts in Riverside, CA. Inland Empire Comfort is licensed in the state of California, and our technicians have many years of experience with furnace and air conditioner replacement. We’ll give you a clear and customized answer to the question: Do you need to replace your furnace with AC? Call us today at (951) 336-1975 for a free quote. We’ll be happy to discuss your AC replacement and your heating and cooling needs.