Q: Why is it necessary to replace a furnace when you replace your air conditioner in a split HVAC system? Why not replace the blower motor instead? Or is it just "easier" to replace everything? Aren't we just creating junk sometimes when we don't need to replace things?
A: There are several reasons why both pieces of equipment in your heating and cooling system get switched out at the same time. The main one is that current air conditioners are much more energy-efficient than the ones produced 10 to 15 years ago. So you want to install a new air handler/furnace that has the same capacity and efficiency as your new air conditioning compressor. A mismatched system mixing old technology with new can decrease system performance and comfort. Replacing them both at once may also cost slightly less than replacing one part of your system one year and another part the next. If the AC needs replacing now, the air handler/furnace probably is getting ready to break down, too.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona homebuilding and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) and -FM (97.1) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 1-888-767-4348.
