The owners of this great ranch-style home in Hendersonville, NC had a common problem. As an HVAC system gets towards the end of its lifespan, it often starts “short cycling”- turning on and off frequently, but never really cooling the space or removing the humidity from the air. That really makes a difference in the comfort levels of their home. This was frustrating, and a little daunting knowing it probably meant they needed an AC replacement.
Problem: Homeowners were unhappy with their AC- it wasn’t cooling the home effectively, and it left everyone hot under the collar.
Solution: A new Armstrong system with a two-stage gas furnace will keep the family comfortable all year long.
Finding a Good Replacement- AC, Furnace, or Both?
When the homeowners gave us a call, our expert team here at Blue Ridge Heating and Air came out and did an assessment of their current system. It was clear that their old system was on its last legs, and replacement was a reasonable choice. We could add new air conditioning, but there was some reason to consider replacing the furnace at the same time.
Why Replace Heating And AC At The Same Time?
Most furnaces and AC systems are put together in pairs and installed at about the same time- just like you tend to get a washer and dryer at the same time. When the AC goes, it’s a good time to do a thorough inspection of your furnace, particularly the heat exchanger.
What is a Heat Exchanger?
This is a metal shield in a gas furnace between the combustion chamber and the blower that helps disburse heated air into your home. Because it is constantly exposed to heating and cooling, over time, metal fatigue sets in and it can develop small cracks. This can allow harmful gasses from combustion-specifically carbon monoxide, to leak into your home. Carbon monoxide is toxic and extremely dangerous, so if there is any sign of fatigue, you need to replace the furnace.
Read More: Installing Ductless Mini Splits In Brevard, NC
Safety First
As a furnace ages, regular inspections are important to detect any cracks in a heat exchanger and get ahead of them. While you can replace a heat exchanger, unless the system is currently under warranty, the cost and the time required often make the complete replacement of the furnace a better economic option.
In addition, newer systems often have significant improvements in efficiency, meaning you will end up with lower energy bills every month, something every family can appreciate.
Our Best Recommendation
We often recommend homeowners consider replacing the furnace and air conditioning at the same time because it allows us to match a properly sized AC system with a heater that will also give great performance. If one of the systems is less than 5 years old, we’d likely say to just keep that, and replace the one that needs replacing. If the other system is older and could likely use an upgrade as well, it’s usually more cost-effective to replace them at the same time.
Keeping Your Home Healthier With Microban
In this case, our Homeowners chose to have their old air conditioning system replaced with a single-stage Armstrong AC system. This comes with a new evaporator coil that has enhanced corrosion protection and also has Microban protection on the drain pan, to help prevent bacterial and mold growth. This is going to make the air in their home healthier to breathe, with less airborne bacteria and irritants. They also chose an Armstrong two-stage gas furnace.
Improved Energy Efficiency With A New HVAC System
The new Armstrong pro series gas furnace is up to 96% efficient, and the two-stage, variable speed blower means the system will only use the energy necessary to heat the home. It will be able to keep the temperature steady, unlike their older system which was either all on or off. This helps dramatically increase the efficiency of the system and will lead to noticeably lower energy bills, especially in colder weather.
Total Package-Greater Comfort, and Smaller Energy Bills
Armstrong is well known for quality systems at competitive prices. The new AC is a 2.5-ton, 17 SEER system which will provide great comfort during hot weather, and help keep energy bills low. The two-stage gas furnace will be able to warm the home and keep it toasty without cycling on and off frequently- increasing efficiency and bringing down energy bills as well!
New High-Efficiency HVAC Systems Can Save You Money
By increasing the efficiency of their home HVAC system, our homeowners were able to qualify for rebates through Duke Energy and qualify for tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act as well. By taking advantage of these rebates and credits, the installation of this new system was more affordable! The added efficiency also means lower energy bills, which makes our homeowner’s monthly budget much happier as well- definitely a win for any family.
If you have an older HVAC system that isn’t keeping you as comfortable as before, or if you’re noticing a real spike in your energy bills, give us a call here at Blue Ridge Heating & Air. Our expert team can help you evaluate your system and whether it needs a simple tune-up or you want to consider an upgrade to a more efficient system, we can help ensure your family is comfortable and you are getting the comfort you are paying for!