3 Ton AC and Furnace Combos: Real Talk From the Crawlspace

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There’s a lot of fluff out there about HVAC systems. Everyone wants to sell you the “best deal,” the “biggest SEER,” or the “smartest” thermostat. But let me tell you something—none of that matters if you don’t get the right-sized system for your home.

And if you're in that 1,500–2,000 square foot sweet spot, odds are you're staring at your options for a 3 ton AC and furnace setup.

Now you're wondering:

Should I go all-electric or gas?
What’s a fair 3 ton gas furnace price these days?
What does it really cost to get a 3 ton AC unit with gas furnace installed?
And most of all: Is it gonna run reliably for the next 15 years without me babying it?

Let’s walk through it—plain and simple—like I would on a job site.

What Is a 3 Ton AC and Furnace Combo?

Let’s start with basics. In HVAC, "3 ton" means cooling capacity, not weight. One ton = 12,000 BTUs per hour. So a 3 ton AC system moves 36,000 BTUs of heat out of your house each hour. That’s just right for most mid-sized homes—think 1,600–2,000 sq. ft., depending on insulation, windows, sun exposure, etc.

The furnace side of things handles your heating load. Most matched systems pair a 3 ton condenser and air handler with a 60,000–100,000 BTU gas furnace, depending on how cold it gets where you live.

Together, that’s a 3 ton air conditioner gas furnace combo—one outdoor condensing unit, one indoor gas furnace (with a blower), and a matching coil to tie it all together.

Why Go With a 3 Ton AC Gas Furnace Combo?

If you're weighing options between electric-only and gas combo units, here’s the truth: a 3 ton AC gas furnace system gives you the best of both worlds—efficient summer cooling and reliable, fast heat in the winter.

✅ Reasons Homeowners Choose Gas:

Faster, stronger heat output compared to heat pumps
Works even in freezing temps (no drop in performance like electric-only units)
Natural gas is often cheaper than electricity, depending on your area
Longer lifespan for the heating system if maintained right

If you’re in a cold climate or just want solid, no-nonsense heat when that Nor’easter rolls through, a 3 ton furnace powered by natural gas is the way to go.

According to Consumer Reports, gas furnaces still make the most sense in northern climates where electric bills would skyrocket from resistance heating.

What’s a Fair 3 Ton Gas Furnace Price?

I get this question weekly. And the truth is—it depends on what you’re buying:

Component	Price Range (Unit Only)	Installed Price Range
3 Ton Condenser (AC only)	$1,400 – $2,000	$3,000 – $4,500
3 Ton Gas Furnace (60–100K BTU)	$1,200 – $2,200	$2,500 – $4,000
Full 3 Ton AC + Furnace Bundle	$2,800 – $4,500	$5,000 – $7,800+

These numbers vary based on:

Local labor costs
SEER rating
AFUE (furnace efficiency)
Brand
Whether ductwork or electrical needs updating

Sites like HomeAdvisor give ballpark estimates, but real-world costs also depend on how accessible your install location is and if you're retrofitting or building new.

Anatomy of a Good 3 Ton AC and Furnace Combo

If you want a system that actually lives up to the brochure, here’s what to look for:

✅ Matched Components

The coil, furnace, and AC condenser need to be properly matched. Don’t Frankenstein a system together just to save a few hundred bucks. You’ll lose efficiency, void warranties, and create problems with air balance and refrigerant pressures.

✅ R-32 Refrigerant

Older systems use R-410A, which is being phased down. Smarter folks are going with R-32 systems, like the one featured in the Goodman 3 Ton 14.5 SEER2 R-32 Bundle. Why? Because R-32 offers:

68% lower global warming potential than R-410A
Higher energy efficiency
Less refrigerant charge required
Easier servicing and recycling

If you care about future-proofing your HVAC investment—and you should—go with R-32. The EPA SNAP program confirms it’s part of the next-gen refrigerant lineup.

What to Expect From a 3 Ton AC Unit With Gas Furnace Installed

Now let’s talk install.

A 3 ton AC unit with gas furnace installed typically takes:

1–2 days
Includes: old unit removal, new coil and line set install, refrigerant charge, electrical and gas connections, thermostat hookup, and testing

You want a licensed tech (not your cousin who “did HVAC once”) to handle:

Load calculations for proper sizing (not just guessing by square footage)
Gas line pressure tests
Duct static pressure testing (to make sure your blower isn’t choking on bad design)
Proper airflow setup with matching ECM motor speed

Want to see what a great install looks like? Check out This Old House’s central AC and furnace installation series.

Is 14.5 SEER Enough?

Short answer? Yes—for most people.

A 14.5 SEER rating, which converts to about 13.8–14.3 SEER2 under the new 2023 testing standards, offers a big jump in efficiency compared to the 10–12 SEER units that were common 10+ years ago.

More SEER = more savings, right?

Yes—but only if:

You live in a hot climate
You plan to stay in your house 10–15 years
You don’t mind the higher upfront cost

For many homeowners, a 3 ton 14 SEER AC unit paired with a 95–96% AFUE furnace hits the right balance. According to Energy.gov, jumping from 10 SEER to 14 SEER can save you 30%+ on cooling bills.

Choosing the Right Furnace for Your 3 Ton System

Here’s what matters when picking a 3 ton gas furnace:

AFUE Rating (Efficiency): Look for 95%+ AFUE to qualify for rebates and save on gas bills.
BTU Output: 60K BTUs is plenty for mild climates; 80–100K BTUs is safer for colder zones.
Blower Type: A variable-speed blower (ECM motor) gives you quieter operation, better comfort, and better humidity control.

Brands like Goodman, Amana, and Rheem all make solid 3 ton gas furnaces. The important thing is matching airflow and coil sizing to your AC unit. Don’t mix and match unless you like headaches.

Can You DIY This?

Technically? You can buy a 3 ton air conditioner gas furnace combo online and install it yourself.

But I’ve seen too many DIY jobs end up costing more in the long run due to:

Leaking line sets
Incorrect gas pressure
Furnace tripping on high limit
SEER ratings not achieved due to mismatch

Plus, most manufacturers require licensed install and registration to honor the 10-year parts warranty.

My advice? Buy the unit online to save, then hire a licensed HVAC tech to install and commission it.

Rebates and Credits

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, you may qualify for:

Federal tax credits up to $600 for high-efficiency furnaces or ACs
Local utility rebates for 95%+ AFUE or ENERGY STAR certified systems

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) helps you find rebates by ZIP code.

Stack these incentives right, and you can cut your system cost by $800–$1,500 depending on your area.

Final Thoughts from the Field

When folks ask me what system I’d put in my own house, I say this:

A 3 ton AC unit with gas furnace combo is still the best bang for your buck when it comes to all-season comfort and long-term durability.

Just don’t cheap out on the install.

If you want reliable cooling, low winter gas bills, and a system that just works, get something like the Goodman 3 Ton 14.5 SEER2 R-32 Bundle. It's efficient, clean-running, and built for the long haul.

But whether you buy that one or another combo, make sure: