Why Should I Replace My Furnace And AC Together

Replacing just one part of your HVAC system can be costly. But, if you’re getting a new heating or cooling component, you should consider whether to replace your AC and furnace at the same time. You can save money and get some peace of mind in the long run if:

  • Both your heater and air conditioner are getting old
  • You’re planning to retire and move to a fixed income soon
  • You’re ready to improve your system’s overall efficiency
  • There is an opportunity to save money on installation

Getting a new heating unit or air conditioner is a big expense. But, these units don’t last forever. At some point, you need to think about buying a new one.

It’s understandable that people want to think about a single big-ticket item at a time. But, if one part of your HVAC system is ready to go, you should think about replacing it all at the same time.

Now, this isn’t always necessary. We’re not going to tell you to spend thousands of dollars when you don’t have to. If we did, we wouldn’t have an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and great online review from customers in Minneapolis and St. Paul among other places.

But, this is worth considering:

There are many situations where you save money in the long run when you overhaul your entire HVAC system even if you only need a new air conditioner or heater in the immediate future.

We’ll go through the factors you should consider once you’re in the market for new HVAC equipment. You’ll want to take stock of these yourself. Then, talk it all over with a professional, reliable contractor.

Then, you’ll know if this is the right strategy for you.

How to know if you should replace your AC and furnace at the same time

If you’re considering whether to replace your AC and furnace at the same time, here are three big questions to ask yourself:

Let’s take a closer look at all three of these.

Age of the units. The first thing you want to consider is how long you’ve had everything. After all, you could be about to go through the hassle of choosing and financing one unit only to do the same thing again in a few years.

If both your heating and cooling units are getting older, it may make more sense to change them both at the same time.

Now, it’s important to note that furnaces can last up to 30 years if you keep it well-maintained. That’s twice as long as the average air conditioner lifespan.

If you’ve had your heater a decade or two longer than the cooling system, have a tech check it out. It may be almost time for a new one of those as well.

Energy Efficiency. What we mean by this is how much power – electricity, gas, oil, etc. – your HVAC system uses to do the job.

Lower efficiency means it uses more energy to do the same job as a model that uses less power to get the same effect.

When you swap out any HVAC model with a newer model you’re almost certainly guaranteed to get a more energy-efficient, money-saving setup for your home.

As technology progresses, all appliances naturally become more efficient. However, there were a few milestones. For instance, requirements for central air efficiency rose thanks to new federal guidelines in 2006.

Meanwhile, all units become less efficient as they get older. Plainly put, they just don’t work as well as they used to once they’re near the end of their service life.

Personal finances. We mentioned before how you want to avoid two major purchases in a relatively short amount of time. Well, that’s even more of a consideration if you’re getting ready to retire.

When people leave the workforce, they’re usually moving into a fixed income: Relying on Social Security payments, pension, and retirement plans from here on out. You can’t rely on raises and bonuses increase your monthly income.

As you approach your 60th birthday, you should consider replacing both your heater and cooling system at the same time when one of them breaks down for good.

Remember, a well-maintained heating unit can last up to three decades. This way, there’s one less financial strain that can hit you later in life.

How to save money on your HVAC replacement projects

Sure, on paper it may seem like a good idea to replace more than one expensive appliance at the same time. But, it can still be very daunting from a financial standpoint. Fortunately, there are ways to make it a little easier on your wallet. And, you can unlock a few extra benefits.

First, there are rebate opportunities. These are actually easy to get, and they can take a big chunk out of your upfront costs.

Today, most energy companies offer cash incentives for homeowners to replace their old HVAC equipment with energy-efficient appliances.

Here in Minneapolis, check out the offers from Minnesota Energy Resources. Depending on what new equipment you choose you can save anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. That makes the purchases a lot easier.

Next, you have the advantages that come with a matching system. We touched on one aspect of this before: Increased efficiency.

That’s when you save money by installing equipment that uses less money to do the job. But, there’s more.

When you overhaul both your heating and cooling units at once, you can coordinate the project to save you money in the long run.

And, the savings don’t stop there.

We mentioned before how you’ll save money in the long run when you install more efficient equipment. Well, just purchasing and installing it all at once helps with that, too. When you do this, your contractor can:

  • Design the system for maximum efficiency
  • Install both components faster and for less money
  • Maximize the warranties on both units

A significant advantage here is setting up your new system so that it uses some of the same components. Once both the heating and cooling systems use the same blower or handler, it can treat your home better in all seasons.

Meanwhile, you’re not paying for two jobs: One to replace, say the heater today and then another for the AC three years later. That saves you money on labor and parts, not to mention permits or other costs.

Finally, all your equipment will be new at the same time – and under warranty at the same time. And, newer equipment breaks down less than older units.

When you get both a new heating and cooling system at the same time, you cut down on the number of repairs you’ll need for the next few years.

Now, you can move to a lower-tier maintenance agreement if you have one. And, in general, you’ll spend less on repair calls with all-new equipment.

Switching to ductless HVAC for better efficiency and climate control

We talked about you can increase your energy efficiency when you overhaul your entire system at once. Well, there’s an even greater opportunity than just getting rid of a worn-out system.

A ductless HVAC system can offer you more control and comfort than traditional systems. It can also greatly reduce your energy bills.

Ductless uses a mini-split setup to deliver better heat and cooling than traditional systems. And, it costs much less on your energy bills.

It does this with an outdoor heat pump that uses heat transfer technology rather than generating warmth by burning fossil fuels.

Inside, wall-mounted air handlers circulate the air much more efficiently than ducts and vents. And, they use inverter technology – kind of like cruise control for your HVAC – to maintain the temperature you want while running in a low-power mode.

Ductless is an all-in-one heating and cooling package. You can eliminate hot and cold spots and watch your energy bills drop.

Of course, like any whole-home heating and cooling solution, it’s a significant investment. But, if you’re ready for an entirely new system, this upgrade is worth considering.  

Are you thinking about the best way to invest in new HVAC equipment? Contact us, and we’ll design a system that’s perfect for your home!

Matthew Oyen
Matthew Oyen
1730502092
Nicholas S did a great job
Lam Sirattanatray
Lam Sirattanatray
1730495283
They did an amazing job and were very professional
Mike Gilles
Mike Gilles
1730492235
Darren Jackson
Darren Jackson
1730485224
Jessi Ganzel
Jessi Ganzel
1730480899
Josiah and Joey were amazing. They were respectful of my home and dogs, found the issue quickly and cleaned up like they were never even there. Great, fast, wonderful service!
Linda Friberg
Linda Friberg
1730413304
The installer, Michael, was very nice and helpful. He explained everything. I’m very happy with the service.
SLHSAlum
SLHSAlum
1730413073
Deb Larson
Deb Larson
1730412126
Justin was very thorough in explaining everything. Knowledgeable about his work and skilled in making repairs. No pushy sales pressure but helpful in explaining our options and his recommendations. Comfortable experience.
Daniel Bakken
Daniel Bakken
1730409646
Scott Sayer
Scott Sayer
1730409519
Tom Igielski
Tom Igielski
1730408923
Friendly, competent tech came out. Pretty quickly determined the source of the problem and applied a fix. Problem solved!
Bruce Jaworski
Bruce Jaworski
1730405285
Thought they did a great job! Explained everything, answered our questions, cleaned up, etc. We are very pleased!
Joe Jelinek
Joe Jelinek
1730403110
Just had my water system filters replaced and the technician did a spectacular job with educating me on how I can do it myself the next time and the company is extremely educational and efficient. The water system itself has been spectacular and we love it!
Adam Scudder
Adam Scudder
1730397101
Joe Bethke
Joe Bethke
1730393916
Great service all around! Ryan and his trainee were very polite and efficient.
Debra Gilmore
Debra Gilmore
1730390227
Another awesome experience with Aquarius. Had the annual HVAC system checkup today. David was very knowledgeable, friendly and dedicated to his trade. Thanks again !!
Eric Ortman
Eric Ortman
1730386609
Pamela Jacobson
Pamela Jacobson
1730379789
Greg Lissick
Greg Lissick
1730377916
Mike, my HVAC service technician, was great. He was very knowledgeable and explained in detail all my options regarding my furnace issues. Highly recommend!
Michelle W
Michelle W
1730348132
Colton was very informative, patient and thorough. He was on time, helpful and professional. Thank you.
Susan Johnson
Susan Johnson
1730335381
Andrew was a great installer. He went out of his way to answer our questions and help make sure our needs were met.
E Pennington
E Pennington
1730333118
Andrew was great with communication, educating me on the system, offering me choices when applicable, great service all around! Thank you!
Bruce Henning
Bruce Henning
1730326333
Tom Stoltz
Tom Stoltz
1730321207
We had our HVAC system tuned up today by Nick & Carter. Great communication from the whole Aquarius team from scheduling to completion. Very thorough in their review of our system while onsite. They provided a great summary (easy to understand, pictures, etc.) of everything they went through & provided options/recommendations where necessary. Highly recommended!
Nicole Kuhl
Nicole Kuhl
1730318783
Seamus McKinsey
Seamus McKinsey
1730315885
Dawn Goodsell
Dawn Goodsell
1730310682
Justin and Andre are amazing. They are very professional and thorough, not to mention fun to chat with as they work! I want these 2 to service our products every time!
Laura Hudson
Laura Hudson
1730310372
Jay was great, he assessed the problem quickly. He was really kind and courteous through the entire appointment. Didn’t rush us when I had questions . Pleasure to work with
Joan Long
Joan Long
1730308717
Austin did wonderful job servicing my Kinetico home water system and drinking water system. He was on time, answered my questions and offered great advice on my systems. I would recommend him and Aquarius for your water needs.
Alyssa Stepan
Alyssa Stepan
1730307198
We had our water softener repaired and service was excellent. The tech was courteous and friendly. He explained what was going on and gave us an estimate for the work. The charge was what he said, no hard sales or add ons. He did a great job cleaning the area when he was done. We will definitely keep using Aquarius!
Cindy Bartels
Cindy Bartels
1730306303
Good work. Prompt. Right amount of talking and working.
Rhonda Hoida
Rhonda Hoida
1730301536
Josiah was great. Friendly, knowledgeable and considerate. He went above the call if duty. I highly recommend Josiah.
E.Brenda Cleary
E.Brenda Cleary
1730300328
Mike was very polite and knowledgeable about my drinking water and softener systems.
Karen Hites
Karen Hites
1730257424
Informative , given a written assessment, answered questions with easy to understand information
Nancy Anderson
Nancy Anderson
1730245620
Paul went above and beyond to fix our plumbing problem! The issue was extremely challenging and he was able to fix it without having to replace the entire fixture! Five Stars!
Terrie Kaminski
Terrie Kaminski
1730234477
The entire process has been extremely professional and the process smooth.
Michelle Dennard
Michelle Dennard
1730225795
Andrew was so pleasant and professional. It's staff like Andrew that makes you continue to be a customer with Aquarius Home Service. Thank you Andrew for your EXCELLENT customer service!
Janice B
Janice B
1730225460
Friendly, professional, knowledgeable, prompt and willing to answer all questions I had.
Dick Hansen
Dick Hansen
1730214163
Mike was very efficient and explained what he was doing and the results that were realized. Thank you.
Brad McNaught
Brad McNaught
1730160709
Connie
Connie
1730159036
Marcus went through the entire process step by step with me and explained in detail what needed to be done. Thank you Marcus!
Cole O'Brien
Cole O'Brien
1730151997
Nick did a great job identifying all problems with not just what we called on but also our other systems, and gave pricing options based on the recommended diagnosis. Very professional and quick service, thank you!
Mark Brown
Mark Brown
1730151378
Nate-Derek-Dylan-Derrin were here to put my new heat pump in. They were all very nice and got the job done. I would always recommend Aquarius to do the job for you. Thanks
Angela Muchlinski
Angela Muchlinski
1730150462
Jon was great! He was very thorough and maintained a good attitude while dealing with some unexpected issues. I learned a lot from his explanations in something I have very little experience in.
Werner Groth
Werner Groth
1730148617
Outstanding professional, clean, ethical, respectful and well mannered service. Colton and Tom did an outstanding job, efficient, good problem solving and clean. I extended and expanded my annual service contract with Aquarius due to the quality of their service and the OUTSTANDING way everyone in Aquarius treats their customers
Lyle Jordan
Lyle Jordan
1730148293
Service was done in a very timely fashion. Also, Joe was very professional and friendly. He answered all questions and explained each step of the repair.He provided an excellent service call.
Lisa domagall
Lisa domagall
1730134347
Jon was an exceptional service provider! He was thorough and explained in detail everything that he was doing that day. He answered all our questions and was super courteous.
Billie Kurek
Billie Kurek
1730130991
We had Aquarius install our HVAC unit several years ago and have been happy with it. Today we had a tune up service from Nick and had yet another pleasant experience with Aquarius.
×
js_loader
Skip to content