Benefits of Replacing AC and Furnace Together

Your air conditioning unit and furnace work together for climate control in your home, but they are still separate systems. It is likely that one will wear out before the other if they were installed at the same time, most likely the AC unit as AC units tend to have a shorter lifespan than furnaces. However, replacing one without replacing the other can cause issues for efficiency and impact overall costs. Here are some benefits of replacing both at the same time.

Cohesive System for Efficiency

Replacing both AC and furnace at the same time gives you a chance to match the systems for the best efficiency. Your HVAC professional can help you find a AC and furnace that use the same air handler, reducing the equipment needed and costs. Plus, matched systems are designed to work together for efficiency, giving you lower energy bills year-round.

Newer Technology

If one system needs replacement, it is a good time to upgrade to newer technology for lower energy costs and convenience. However, you will not receive the full benefits if you have an older furnace or AC unit impacting the new system.

Save on Installation

It costs more to install two systems separately then together. Even if your furnace may have a few years left in it when it is time to replace your AC, it can save you money to do it at the same time. You can either repair your AC to extend its life a little longer or replace your furnace sooner to a more efficient system.

When one half of your HVAC system needs replacing, it is wise to consider the benefits of replacing both together. Discuss your options with your local HVAC professional.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
3870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite 340-129
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 475-9555

How Important is Good Insulation?

Does it seem like it is difficult to keep your home the perfect temperature? It is not always the HVAC system that is the problem; it could be the insulation in your home. Many homes are not well-insulated, especially in milder climate regions. Home builders often skimp on the insulation to save money in areas that do not have extreme cold, making it difficult to maintain the comfort level when it gets too hot or too cold outside. Insulating your home can have a dramatic impact on the ease of maintaining your perfect indoor climate and save you money on your energy bills.

Benefits of Insulating Your Home

Adding insulation to your attic, crawl space and any accessible exterior walls can have a dramatic impact on the comfort of your home. Insulation creates a barrier that seals the air inside of your home from the outside. This helps you maintain the preferred temperature inside longer, using less fuel or energy to heat or cool your home. This can have a big impact on your energy bills all year round, making it a worthwhile investment that can pay for itself over a few years.

In addition to making your home more comfortable and efficient, insulation also works as a sound barrier. This reduces the noise levels coming from outside, or the noise that leaves your home. This helps maintain a more private environment, especially in compact neighborhoods where homes are close together.

If your home has poor insulation, consider adding more to improve the comfort, efficiency and privacy of your home. Talk to your local HVAC service company that offers insulation services to learn more about the benefits insulating your home.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

Ductless Mini Split HVAC Systems

Ductless mini split heating and cooling systems are a great new alternative to traditional ducted HVAC systems.  A mini split system is similar to a modern heat pump, but as the name implies it does not use any ducts to distribute the heated or cooled air.

A ductless mini split system uses an outdoors compressor/condenser like a heat pump, but indoors it uses a separate individual air handler for each room instead of a central air handler with ducts to blow the air to each room like a heat pump or furnace.  Mini-split systems can have anywhere from one to four indoor air handlers for each outdoor unit.

Mini split systems are an excellent alternative to replace older ductless heating systems such as water or oil filled radiators, space heaters, or radiant panels.  They are easy to install and only require a three inch hole in the wall to connect indoor air handler to the outdoor unit.

They are also an excellent choice for installation in room additions where extending the ducting would be impractical or where the existing HVAC system would not be large enough to heat and cool the additional space.

Because they do not rely on ducts for air distribution, mini split systems are very efficient.  Traditional central heat and air conditioning systems can lose as much as 30% of their heating and cooling energy through the duct system.  Also, each indoor air handler in a mini split system has a separate thermostat.  Each room can be heated or cooled depending on how it is used resulting in further energy savings.