Furnaces And Air Conditioners Are Different Systems However, they still operate independently of each other. Does the furnace need to be on for the AC to work? No! Your air conditioner should run on its own, even when the furnace is off.
Depending on the climate where you live, your home may have a furnace and AC or you may have an AC but no furnace or vice versa.
Your central air conditioning system is independent of your furnace. The outdoor unit isn't connected to the furnace at all—but they both utilize the same distribution system (vents, fans, filters, and ducts) to push cool and warm air into your home.
If the home includes an electric furnace, that unit will also have its own dedicated breaker. Issues such as low airflow due to a clogged air filter, obstructed air vents in rooms, a failing blower motor, or internal electrical defects inside the unit may be the cause of breaker trips.
In an HVAC or split system, the AC depends on the furnace's blower motor to circulate air through your house. If the furnace can't keep pace with the new high-efficiency air conditioner, you won't save much money on energy bills despite the new AC.
Furnaces And Air Conditioners Are Different Systems
However, they still operate independently of each other. Does the furnace need to be on for the AC to work? No! Your air conditioner should run on its own, even when the furnace is off.
The cost to replace a furnace and air conditioning at once is $7,500 on average but could range from $2,500 to $15,000. If your air conditioner has quit, but the furnace still works (or vice versa), it's tempting to just replace the appliance that's broken.
The most important and most obvious step in switching from your furnace to your A/C is to turn off your furnace. Most modern heating systems can be turned off straight from the thermostat, but if you have an older model you may have to turn off the gas supply.
Check the thermostat
You should check if it's been set to the correct temperature and also make sure it's set to “cool”. If the AC settings are not right, it won't turn on. You can also check if the batteries in the thermostat are fresh and replace them if needed.
Here's some good news, at least for the time being. To keep your car warm, it is not necessary for your A/C compressor to be in working condition. Your heater circuit works independently of your A/C compressor as an electrically operated component.
Yes, You Can!
Keep rebates and efficiency in mind when making any decisions on replacing just the AC unit.
Even though the furnace is not producing any heat while operating the a/c, it still delivers the cold air throughout your home with the same blower, and passing through the same air filter. This is why, regardless of the season, you should regularly change your air filters.
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. This system is responsible for heating and cooling your home and includes products like furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps as well as ductwork, thermostats and other home comfort controls.
Both AC and furnace use the same thermostat to activate and shut down. The AC and the furnace use the same blower to spread cool and warm air throughout your home.
Ductless AC units typically come as a kit and cost between $1,000 and $8,000, with the installation costing about $1,000 depending on the labor time.
Checking basic thermostat settings, power supply components, and air filter conditions are essential to troubleshoot why an AC unit isn't turning on. More advanced issues requiring professional attention include faulty wiring, a malfunctioning outdoor unit, a bad capacitor, or incorrect thermostat calibration.
Look for a RESET Button.
Some systems have a RESET switch on the outside unit. You can push this and see if it helps. If your unit does not, you can turn off the system at the thermostat, wait 5 minutes, and try again.
Check these issues when the unit won't kick on: Check the thermostat and adjust the settings if it isn't set to Cool and an appropriate temperature setting to call for cooling. Examine the house circuit breakers for the AC unit and reset any tripped breakers. Check the air filter and replace the filter if it's dirty.
The main risks of turning off your furnace include: Frozen or burst pipes. Structural damage to your home from contraction and expansion. Health adversities from decreasing indoor temperatures.
There are several reasons why your furnace may not turn on. The most common include a broken thermostat, gas line issues, clogged air filters, blocked ductwork, a tripped circuit breaker, and issues with the furnace itself.
The main reason for shutting down your furnace in the summer is to save money. With older furnaces that may be worth it but your best bet is to compare previous summer heating bills to see how much you could save. On the other hand, turning off your furnace does have risks associated for your equipment.
Replacing Just the AC System
Air conditioners have unique parts and components, like evaporator coils, condensers, and air filters, to function. These parts do not interrupt the furnace's performance. In other words, you can replace the air conditioner without replacing the furnace without issue.
HVAC Pro Cost
Most people pay $500 to $2,500 in labor for AC replacement.
Homeowners insurance covers HVAC systems when the damage is a result of a covered disaster or peril, including high winds, fallen trees, theft, hail or even a fire.