There are some salespeople who tell homeowners that when you replace an air conditioner or furnace that you also have to replace the other, and although most people do opt to replace their entire HVAC systems all at once, it’s not strictly necessary.
In fact, there are some instances when it doesn’t make sense to replace both units, particularly if you don’t have the budget for it. But if you are considering upgrading your air conditioner or furnace together, then here are some things to think about.
You May Want to Talk to a trained HVAC Technician First
Choosing to replace your furnace and air conditioner at the same time is a big commitment, and there are a lot of things to think about before making your decision.
To make sure you have all the information, it’s a good idea to have an HVAC specialist in to look at your current units, and to give you an idea of the remaining lifespan, talk about your budget, and go over some other things you might want to consider before making your choice.
Figure Out a Budget for the Project
One of the reasons this is a big decision is because it requires a hefty financial investment to replace your A/C and furnace at the same time.
For the units alone, you're looking at $3,000 at least, and possibly more, plus the cost of the installation.
You might want to check some pricing online to see what a dual replacement might cost and figure out from there if it’s in the budget.
Factor in the Age of Your Current Units
Even though it’s a big expense, sometimes it’s necessary to replace your entire HVAC system in one go, especially if your units are nearing the end of their lives, becoming less efficient, and breaking down more often.
As a general rule, an air conditioner will last up to 20 years, and a furnace can keep going for as many as 30, so if your current HVAC system is getting up there in age, it might be time to replace both appliances with newer and more efficient units.
Think About How Far Away You Are from the Service Area
Installation doesn’t make up the lion’s share of your project, but it is a substantial cost that you'll have to consider. A couple factors that can increase the cost of installation include if you live far from the service area, and an HVAC technician has to travel a long distance for the job, or if your units are tough to access, as is the case when the furnace and air conditioner are in a crawl space, for instance. In these situations, it can make more sense to replace both at the same time to save on the double cost of service fees.
Look to the Future for Any Upcoming Life Changes
You may be looking forward to retiring soon, but it’s important to take this into consideration when you're planning appliance upgrades, because you may not want to deal with this type of expenditure once you're on a fixed income.
If you do plan to retire in the near future, seriously think about upgrading both units now, and then you can forget about it for at least another 15 years.
Although there are a lot of things to think about with this decision, it may help you to know that homeowners most often opt to replace their air conditioner at the same time as their furnace, and vice versa. For the most accurate information, however, talk to your local HVAC expert about the age of your units, your budget, and other factors to get a better idea of how to proceed.
