Should You Replace Your Furnace and AC at the Same Time?
Should you replace the furnace and AC at the same time? When doing both saves money, when it doesn't, and how to decide.
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The furnace has failed, the air conditioner is the same age, and the estimate for doing both is a bigger number than you planned on. Is replacing them together smart, or is it an upsell? Sometimes it is one, sometimes the other, and the difference comes down to a few facts about your equipment.
Should I replace my furnace and AC at the same time?
Replace both together when the two systems are close in age and the air conditioner is past about 12 to 15 years old. Replace only the failed one when the other unit is under about 8 to 10 years old and running well. In between, it is a judgment call that turns on the condition of the working unit and how long you plan to stay in the house.
Why are a furnace and an AC connected at all?
In most Chicagoland homes they share parts. The furnace's blower moves the air for both heating and cooling, and the air conditioner's indoor coil sits on top of the furnace. Replace one side and you are fitting new equipment to old equipment, which can limit the efficiency you actually get from the new unit.
When does replacing both save money?
- One installation instead of two. The crew, the permit and the setup happen once.
- The systems are matched. A new variable-speed furnace paired with a new air conditioner delivers the efficiency on the label. Paired with a 15-year-old condenser, it often does not.
- You avoid the second emergency. If the AC is the same age as the furnace that just failed, it is on the same clock.
- One warranty start date for the whole system.
You can see installed prices for a furnace alone, an AC alone, and a complete system side by side on our Instant Pricing page. Looking at the three numbers together is the quickest way to see what doing both actually costs you.
When should I replace only one?
If the air conditioner is under about 8 to 10 years old, cools well and has no history of refrigerant leaks, keep it. Replacing a healthy unit early is money spent to solve a problem you do not have. A good contractor will say so. Ask the installer to confirm the new furnace is compatible with your existing AC, and to tell you plainly what, if anything, you give up by not matching them.
Does the refrigerant change matter?
It can. New air conditioners now use R-454B, and older systems use R-410A or, on the oldest units, R-22, which is no longer produced. An aging AC on an older refrigerant becomes more expensive to repair over time. Our explainer on R-454B versus R-410A covers what that means for a repair-or-replace decision.
How do I pay for both at once?
Financing through Service Finance is available at 0% for 25 months, or at 6.99% over 120 or 180 months if a lower monthly payment matters more. Details are on our financing page. High-efficiency equipment may also qualify for ComEd rebates, and we handle the rebate paperwork.
What should I ask the contractor?
- How old is the unit that is still working, and what condition is it in?
- Will the new equipment work properly with the old unit if I replace only one?
- What is the price for one, and what is the price for both?
- Was a load calculation done, or was the size copied from the old equipment?
Want both numbers?
Always Ready Repair will price it both ways and tell you which one we would choose in your position. Family-owned since 1935, no subcontractors, a 10-year manufacturer warranty plus our ARR Total Peace coverage on installs. Book a free estimate or call (708) 671-0813. In Orland Park, see what is included in a furnace installation.
