Types and Benefits of Package AC Units

At Budget Air Supply, we are all about climate control. To those who know no more about HVAC than consulting the thermostat when it gets too hot or too cold, the uncharted waters can get intimidating very quickly.

For those who are unfamiliar with the types of HVAC units out there and are shopping for them at the same time the effect is compounded. Therefore, we’re here to shed a little light on the different types of HVAC systems.

In this article, we’re going to focus on package AC units, the types you will come across and the benefits of a package unit as opposed to, say, a split system or a mini split.

Types of Package AC Units

There are four basic types of package AC units that you are liable to come across, as detailed below. Each of them has their own strengths and not all of them will be suitable for all living situations and conditions. Learn more about each in the space below.

Package Heat Pumps

Electricity is the name of the game with a heat pump, and these are more suitable in places where extremely cold temperatures are not too common. Actually, to be fair, they are best in temperate climates for the same reason - they are not as powerful as furnaces or air conditioners.

They are, however, very energy efficient, so that draws a lot of homeowners toward them. They consist of a heat pump unit itself to circulate heat and an air handler to manage the air.

Packaged Air Conditioners

These are more suitable in hotter climates because they have more cooling power than heat pumps, though they might be considered less efficient.

Because they are so powerful, they are suitable in the hottest climates. This does however leave out the ability to provide heat. For this reason, some are equipped with electric heat strips for when the temps dip, but electric heat strips are inefficient and only suitable for short periods of cooler weather.

Gas-Electric Package Units (AKA Gas Packs)

Gas-electric packages or gas packs are some of the most popular package AC systems because they have the strengths of both an electric air conditioner and a gas furnace. This makes them suitable both in reasonably hot and very cold climates.

With that in mind, in very hot climates it might be better to go with the packaged air conditioners mentioned above as they are better at cooling during extremely hot periods.

Hybrid Systems (Dual Fuel)

Consisting of a gas furnace and a heat pump, these packages are more common in areas with colder temperatures because they lack the cooling power of the packaged air conditioning units mentioned above.

The electric heat pump which is more efficient but less powerful than the gas furnace does most of the heating and all of the cooling with a system like this. However, when the temperatures drop, the gas furnace may switch on to make up for the deficit. This makes package HVAC systems like this popular where the occasional but not persistent need for gas heat might arise.

Benefits of a Package AC Unit

Whether you eventually settle on a packaged air conditioner or a heat pump pack is up to you, but here are some of the general benefits of a packaged unit that you might be able to enjoy as a homeowner.

●They can handle larger spaces - Because packed units are generally larger than split systems and more powerful, they can usually handle heating and cooling larger spaces, which is better for many homes and businesses.

●They can save you space inside - Packaged units house most or all of the components outside, which saves you space in a floor plan that doesn’t have a lot of room. Also, if all of the components are outside, it will keep down noise levels.

●They require a lot of room but are out of the way and easier to maintain - Although they require a lot of room (hence the reason they are housed outside) the components are usually located together in one place, making them easier to maintain. This also has the potential to save you on service costs.

●They might be able to save you some money - If you do your homework and get a split system that is ideal for your unique situation and carefully tailored to your needs, it might be able to save you money. For example, if you don’t need the power of gas heat and go with an electric cooling-only system, you might save money up front.

Want to learn more about how each of these different types of package units can benefit your home, or which one would be most suitable for your living arrangement? Give our team a call at 855-473-6484 and we’d be happy to offer you more in-depth information on each one.