Forced air unit prices, pros and cons

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Heating and cooling is a competitive industry with nearly as many types of products as brand names. A forced-air unit, also known as a furnace, is a powerful way to circulate air throughout your house almost instantly. Learn about the basics of forced-air system, pricing, pros and cons to help you make an informed purchase.

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Pricing

Forced-air units vary in price depending on a number of factors, including their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating, quality of construction, and noise levels. Some models are more expensive because they are built to considerably cut down on noise pollution.

The average cost of a forced-air unit runs between $1,100 and $1,500. Additional installation costs apply, so it is essential to contact a reliable contractor for a forced-air estimate.

Pros

Forced-air systems work extremely well with central air conditioning, which is a popular option for homes around the country. A forced-air or forced-heat system is ideal for pushing air into every part of the house almost instantly, so many homeowners in hot and humid areas choose this type of system.

Another benefit of forced-air systems is that they work well with high-tech thermostats, particularly those that are programmable and have digital displays.

Because forced-air systems do not produce condensation, they are also great if you are worried about leakage causing damage to your homes or surrounding property.

Installation tends to be much simpler compared to traditional cooling units, so it is also much easier to hire a contractor who is familiar with your forced-air system.

Finally, a forced-air unit tends to be much more energy efficient than its traditional home cooling counterparts.

Major advantages:

• Efficient.
• Compatible with high-tech thermostats.
• Capable of instant cooling.
• Causes no condensation.
• Easy to find.

Cons

While a forced-air unit generally comes at a lower upfront cost than traditional HVAC and AC units, it also requires significantly more maintenance over time. For this reason, it is essential to purchase a forced AC unit that comes with a manufacturer's warranty. A warranty from a reputable company will cover any routine repairs or damage for which the owner is not at fault.

Because the filters are so efficient, they need to be replaced frequently, which adds to the long-term costs.

Another concern that many homeowners have when purchasing one of these units is the noise level. Because forced-air units are so powerful, they are much noisier than their traditional counterparts.

It is also fairly complicated to install these units. Although many skilled contractors have a familiarity with forced-air systems, someone with no knowledge could easily make a small mistake that greatly affects the filtration of the unit. Improper installation could aggravated allergies and cause poor airflow.

Major disadvantages:

• Noisy.
• High maintenance.
• Costly.
• Complicated installation process.

A forced-air unit can be a great energy-efficient addition to your home, particularly if you use a central cooling system. Although the units come with considerable maintenance costs, they are still a great way to save in the long term on heating and cooling costs. Find a licensed contractor in your area and receive free product and installation estimates.