Although every homeowner wishes their air conditioner lasted forever, the truth is it won’t, no matter the brand or quality of it. Luckily we’re here to help! If you live in San Diego and are planning on replacing your air conditioner, you might be wondering, “Should I replace my air conditioner and furnace at the same time?”

Every home is different, so it just depends. Here are some factors to consider.

How Old Is Your Furnace?

Furnaces can last up to 20 years; air conditioners, on the other hand, last about 15 years. So if your furnace is over 15 years old, you’ll want to plan to replace it at the same time as your air conditioner. However, if it is less than 15 years old, you can usually wait to replace it.

What Type of A/C Are Your Installing?

Homeowners replace their old, single-stage air conditioners with one that offers variable speed upgrades. Your air conditioner relies on your furnace to distribute air, so if your furnace is also single-stage, you’ll have to replace it to get maximum comfort in your home.

Can Your Furnace Provide Proper Air Flow?

In order to keep your home comfortable, your furnace needs to provide the proper airflow. If you are updating your A/C, it might need a new indoor coil. That means your furnace will need to be appropriately sized to match your air conditioner.

What if your furnace and air conditioner are compatible and appropriately sized? 

If your furnace and air conditioner are compatible and appropriately sized, then you will not have to replace them together. However, as we previously mentioned, if your furnace is over 15 years old, you should replace the two at the same time. Plus there are some benefits:

  • Maximum Efficiency– By “matching” your furnace and air conditioner, you’ll ensure maximum efficiency. This will make you feel more comfortable in your own home, and also reduce your energy costs!
  • Don’t Worry About HVAC Repairs– Replacing both your furnace and air conditioner at the same time means you don’t have to worry about wasting money on unexpected repairs for your old furnace!
  • Save Money– Everyone is always looking for ways to save money, and by replacing both units, you’ll do just that! You’ll not only save money on labor costs, but you may also be offered a special discount for buying a new furnace and air conditioner at the same time.

We hope this blog helped inform you of whether you should replace your air conditioner and furnace at the same time or not. Let us help you feel comfortable in your home year-round with a new, high-efficiency furnace and air conditioner! Contact us for a free estimate.