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Should You Replace Furnace & AC at the Same Time?

Should You Replace a Furnace and AC at the Same Time?

Should You Replace a Furnace and AC at the Same Time?

It’s official. Your AC has breathed its last, so to speak, in the Texas heat. Now the unit has to be replaced. But that begs a string of questions – should you replace the furnace while you’re at it? How much is a new furnace and AC in Austin, TX? Can you save money replacing both together?

We recognize making changes to your HVAC system is a big decision. That’s why we put together this information to help you decide when it makes sense to replace your furnace and AC at the same time.

How Does a Furnace Work with an AC Unit?

While they may seem like opposites, your furnace and AC unit are actually two sides of the same coin. These are some ways each warms or cools your home to maximize coziness.

  • The furnace and AC both use the fan to send the heated or cooled air through ducts that spread throughout the house.
  • The AC evaporator coil – which often sits inside your furnace – absorbs heat and humidity to be released outside.
  • The thermostat works with both systems to regulate the temperature in your home.

Do You Need to Replace a Furnace and AC Unit?

While there is no question your heating and cooling units work together to make your home more comfortable, are they inseparable? Can you change one without changing the other?

These are a few questions to consider when you replace your furnace or AC unit:

  • Are they compatible? If the AC you plan to buy is similar to your previous AC unit, it will likely also work with your furnace. Both share elements like the fan to keep your house ambient, so ensuring the two systems can work together is key.
  • How old is your furnace? Because AC units have an average life span between 10 to 15 years and furnaces can function for 20 to 30 years, you are bound to replace your AC more often than you replace your furnace. However, if your furnace is over 15 years, you are better off replacing both units with a matching pair.
  • Do the units match in efficiency? Beyond being able to function together, if your furnace and AC unit both have a SEER rating above 16, you will maximize your savings in energy costs. If, on the other hand, one is above 16 and one is below, your system will be losing efficiency.

One reason to opt out of replacing the furnace with the AC is if your furnace is under 10 years. In this case, you are likely to need to replace your AC again before you would need a furnace replacement.

Is It Cheaper to Replace a Furnace and AC Together?

Simply put, yes. If you decide it’s worthwhile for you to replace both the furnace and AC, you will save money replacing both at once.

You will likely get a prorated price on the combined unit when you purchase it. For furnace and AC replacement costs in Travis County, TX, you can expect installation to be half of what it would cost to install the units individually.

Updating both furnace and AC together will likely cost somewhere between $6,000 and $9,000, depending on the unit you choose. It’s worth noting that if you update to a more efficient system, you will save on energy. At the same time, repair costs will be lower without an aging system.

Furnace and AC Replacement in Travis, Hays, and Williamson Counties

There are several benefits of replacing your furnace and AC at the same time. You can save on initial, installation, and energy costs while knowing your system will run smoothly. However, if your furnace is under 10 years old, we advise holding off on replacing it until you buy your next AC.

If you are looking to update your furnace or AC in Travis County, our certified technicians at Fox Service Company® will install the system with precision so that it’s ready to increase your home’s coziness. To get started, call us at 512-488-1120 or request service online.