The ENERGY STAR Web page you are looking for cannot be found in this location. Please try the following: If you typed the page address (URL) in the address bar, make sure that you spelled it correctly. Return to our home page. Use our site map to locate specific topics. Use the Search box above to locate the information you need. In a recent survey, homeowners said that AC & Heating Connect is a key source of information about air conditioning and heating equipment, second only to friends and family. Maybe your old central air conditioner has quit working, and you think you need a replacement.  Maybe you want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient or environmentally-friendly system. Maybe you’re not sure what to do. Whatever the reason you’re considering a new air conditioner or furnace, you’ll want to go through this handy checklist to make sure you are shopping for the right equipment and asking contractors the right questions. 1.  How much time do I really have to replace my system?

Click here to learn how to put time on your side to get the right equipment for your needs. 2.  Do I really need to replace my entire system or can it be repaired? Click here to see the many factors facing the repair vs. replace decision. 3.  How much space am I trying to cool (and has it changed since the old AC was installed)? Click here to learn how you might need more or less cooling and heating power based on changes in your home or workspace. 4.  Do I want something more than “just cold air”? Click here to read about how improvements in comfort, energy costs and the environment can make you feel better and save you money. 5.   Do I really need to cool the whole house all the time? Click here to see how some common suggestions can actually lead to bigger problems. 6.  Is there really anything new in air conditioning? Click here for an overview of new technologies available today and what they mean to you. 7.  Are there unique needs in my region of the country?

Click here to see how where you live might determine the type of equipment you should buy.properly size ac unit 8.  Should I replace my furnace if I replace my air conditioner?ac unit brand reviews Click here to learn how your air conditioner and furnace work together… and apart.ac unit going on and off 9.  Should I invest in a programmable thermostat? Click here to see how you can save 20-30% on your energy bill without changing your routine. 10.  How do I know which contractor to hire? Click here for insights into how to ask the right questions and select the best contractor for your situation.We can all agree that replacing an air conditioner and a furnace at the same time is expensive.But replacing them both at the same time (even if the furnace is still working) will actually save you more money in the long run.

Not only that, but it will also save you from the frustration of getting a new air conditioner that won’t work as efficiently as you’re expecting.In this article, we’ll explain why replacing your air conditioner and furnace at the same time (in order to install a “matched” system”) is both smart and cost effective.Why your furnace and air conditioner are like conjoined twinsIn a sense, your air conditioner and furnace are like conjoined twins– separate beings that are combined together and share the same “system.”You see, there is a certain kind of conjoined twins that share a liver and intestines. So separating them can be tricky and cause problems.The same could be said with separating your air conditioner from your furnace because they are “conjoined at the hip” since they share the same air handler/blower.Let’s expand on the “conjoined” aspect for a moment by looking at your air conditioner as a whole.A split air conditioner is composed of two main units:Because your indoor unit and furnace share the same air handler/blower, you can’t separate them.

You must replace the furnace to also replace the inside air conditioner unit.So if you say you want to replace your air conditioner but not the furnace, that means you can only replace the outdoor unit while leaving the indoor unit in place.Doing this creates some costly problems.Problems with a mismatched systemDecreased lifespan– According to the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), “When improperly matched, the efficiency and longevity of these systems are significantly compromised.”Lower efficiency– Imagine putting a donkey and a horse on the same yoke to pull a wagon. The horse wants to speed ahead while the donkey slowly lags behind, causing the cart to slow down. That’s what it’s like to have a new energy efficient outdoor unit but still have an old inefficient inside unit. Even if your new outdoor unit is 18 SEER, the old unit (probably an 8-10 SEER unit) causes the system to lag behind, keeping your energy bills just as high as they were before.

Premature breakdowns– Mismatch units create undue stress on your air conditioner, resulting in an unnecessary, premature breakdown.Possibility of no warranty– Many manufacturers know the problems associated with mismatched systems, so they often won’t offer a warranty for a condenser coil (outside unit) only replacement.Minimize installation costs You also need to think about how much you’ll pay on installation, which strongly affects how much you pay for a new system.So replacing the outside unit, waiting a few years, and then having another contractor come out to install the furnace and inside air conditioner unit can be pricy.Therefore, replacing the furnace and air conditioner at the same time will help minimize installation costs.Get free estimates In the end, the decision is yours and we’ll support whichever you decide to go with. But we do strongly suggest getting a matched system to maximize your system’s efficiency, reduce your energy bills and extend the life of your new system.