When Is a Gas Package AC Unit a Good Investment?

Winter is soon to be upon us - which, here in the Sunshine State, means cool days, cooler nights, and bright, clear skies. It’s a beautiful time of year, and we rarely see truly chilling temperatures.

That’s not true for much of the country. Soon winter’s wrath will be in full swing (if it isn’t already) which will have some homeowners wondering: Does your AC package unit cut it when it comes to heating power?

While it’s not the optimal time right before winter to replace an aging package AC system, it’s not too early to start thinking about next year. Especially since summer is right around the corner, a package AC unit can keep you cool and comfortable, too!

On that note, let’s take a look at gas package AC units, what they are, and when they constitute a good investment.

What is a Gas Package AC Unit (A.K.A. a Gaspack)
First, let’s figure out just what is meant by “gas package AC unit” since terms like package AC unit and all-in-one packaged system are thrown around like confetti.

A gas package AC unit, sometimes known as a gas pack or a gas-electric package unit, contains both a heating and cooling unit in one package.

There’s more, though - other package AC systems, like electric package units and heat pump package units, also have heating and cooling units in the same packaged system.

Gas packs contain an electric air conditioner, but in place of the heat pump of a heat pump pack or the electric heat strips of the electric packaged unit, gas-electric package systems contain a gas furnace as well. Typically, a gas-packaged unit contains a fas furnace, an electric AC condenser unit, and an evaporator coil.

Is it always an advantage? Not necessarily - but it does carry some distinct benefits, especially over electric AC package units.

Advantages of Gas Package AC Units
The following are some of the top benefits of gas packaged AC systems, although there are others.

●Greater heating power (by far)
The ability to use a gas furnace for heat has one distinct advantage - power. Gas furnaces are not only enormously efficient at converting gas fuel into energy, with AFUE ratings of higher than 85, but they are also very powerful. When it gets cold - really cold - the power of a gas furnace is often necessary to warm things up.

●The same cooling power as an electric package unit
Because gas packs contain an electric air conditioner, they’re every bit as capable of providing cooling power as electric packaged units and even more powerful than heat pumps. For what heat pumps offer in terms of efficiency, they lack in raw power, and an electric air conditioner will keep you cool when the heat is on climbing.

●Energy efficiency
They may not be the most energy-efficient systems of all, but they offer very high efficiency nonetheless. Some modern furnaces have an AFUE of over 90 and they are far more efficient at converting natural gas into heat than electric heat strips or heat pumps are.

●Potential space savings (and definitely convenient)
Obviously, it’s convenient to buy a bundled system, but it can also potentially afford you space savings as well. Traditionally, gas packs were large and bulky, but modern systems are often contained all in one system, which is ideal where space comes at a premium. Some of them can even be mounted on rooftops.

For these reasons, gas-electric packaged units are generally preferable in areas that have both hot summers and very cold winters. These are the only systems that are robust and powerful enough to provide a great deal of heating and cooling power, able not only to cool air in the summer but heat your home in the winter.

Remember, however, that gas package AC units are only one potential solution to the HVAC puzzle. They are honestly not the best solution for most homeowners and business owners in warmer areas of the country, as the high upfront costs associated with gas furnaces just don’t justify themselves.

Instead, people living in areas with hot climates are more likely to invest in an electric unit with heat strips or even in a heat pump packaged unit, perhaps supplemented by heat strips. This is all the supplemental heating these homeowners may need.

Still, if you live in an area that routinely experiences colder temperatures, the cost of a gas pack may very well be worth the investment.

Buy Here and Save!
Whether you’re looking for a gas-electric air conditioner packaged unit or a dual fuel system, we’ll save you some time and money. All of our units (dual-fuel packages, split systems, air handlers, and more!) come with a price match guarantee and we ship them for free!

Still not sure what your home needs? That’s normal - most homeowners need to work with an HVAC specialist to perform an energy audit, anyway. Get in touch with us directly at 855-473-6484 and we would be more than happy to help.