There are split systems and then there are packaged HVAC systems. Switching from one to the other can be an expensive, labor-intensive process. So, chances are that if you already have one type of system that is going to be the type that you include in your home when you go to replace it. A split system is what homeowners typically think of when they talk about heating and cooling – that is, an outdoor air conditioning component paired with an indoor coil and gas furnace or air handler. A packaged unit, by contrast, contains all of the components of a split system in one outdoor unit. They come in either a small footprint for easy slab mounting or a large footprint for flexible installation on either a roof or a slab. These systems can be air conditioners, heat pumps, dual-fuel systems or gas/electric packaged HVAC systems. The type that you choose will depend on the year-round heating and cooling demands of your home. Dual-Fuel System: Dual-fuel systems, at a very basic level, are units that heat with two sources (typically gas and electric).

However, when we refer to a packaged dual-fuel system we are talking about a packaged unit that runs like a heat pump and gas furnace in one. When temperatures get particularly cold (less than 25° F is a good benchmark) the gas furnace kicks on and provides dependable, powerful heating capabilities. All other times, the heat pump portion of the unit operates with electricity to provide cooling power or heating power (when needed). This way you are using the most cost-effective fuel source for the temperature and can potentially reduce utility bills (depending on utility rates in your area). Package Heat Pumps: A packaged heat pump unit is the equivalent of pairing a heat pump with an air handler. This unit will work exclusively with electricity and is great for homeowners that need heating power, but don’t frequently see freezing temperatures. This includes areas like the Southern United States.. Package Air Conditioners: Packaged air conditioners work like an air conditioner paired with an air handler.

These are excellent for homeowners that don’t have the room indoors for an air handler and do not need the heating capabilities supplied by a dual-fuel system, heat pump or gas pack. These units range in efficiency from 13 to 15 SEER, making them a great option for any homeowner looking for a budget-friendly model that can give them a boost in cooling efficiency from their old air conditioner. Packaged Gas/Electric Systems: Lastly, there is the gas/electric packaged unit. These units combine the components of an air conditioner, indoor coil and gas furnace. If you need powerful heating and cooling power (supplied by gas and electricity, respectively) these units are a great option. They also include the most cooling-efficient and heating-efficient gas packs in the industry – the PPG2GI and the PPG3HE. The PPG2GI is the iQ Drive® gas/electric packaged system model. It uses an inverter-driven rotary compressor to provide exceptional modulation capabilities. This unit reaches 20 SEER cooling efficiency, meaning it can greatly decrease the amount of money you are spending on cooling costs during the summer.

The PPG3HE is the first-ever residential condensing gas/electric packaged unit. It reaches an unprecedented 95% AFUE (this is significantly higher than other gas packs that may only reach 81% AFUE at maximum efficiency). How does this unit work? Well, with a high-efficiency gas furnace, condensate forms when it surpasses 90% AFUE. In gas packs, there is a concern that the condensate will freeze and cause a system malfunction. The R8HE eliminates these concerns by piping the condensate below the frost line.cost of a 3 ton hvac unitMost of us take heating and cooling for granted. general electric window ac unitsWe expect our heating systems to keep us warm during the winter, and we depend on air-conditioning to keep us cool during the summer.does a portable ac unit need a window

When the house is cold in winter or hot in summer, the natural reaction is to call for professional service. Fortunately, there is an alternative. You can cut service costs drastically and keep your heating and cooling systems working efficiently by doing some maintenance and quick fixes yourself. But first, it's important to know how the basics of how heating and cooling systems function. All climate-control devices or systems have three basic components: a source of warmed or cooled air, a means of distributing the air to the rooms being heated or cooled, and a control used to regulate the system (e.g., thermostat). The sources of warm air, such as a furnace, and cool air, such as an air conditioner, in a house often use the same distribution and control systems. If your house has central air conditioning, cool air probably flows through the same ducts that heat does and is regulated by the same thermostat. When a heating or cooling system malfunctions, any of these three basic components may be causing the problem.

Both heating and air conditioning work on the principle that heat always moves from a warm object to a cooler one, just as water flows from a higher to a lower level. Furnaces and heaters put heat into the air to make your home warmer; air conditioners remove heat to make your home cooler. All heating and cooling units burn fuel. Air conditioners use electricity. Most home heating systems use gas or fuel oil; other systems use electricity. The heat pump -- an electrically powered climate control unit -- both heats and cools air. In summer it extracts heat from the air inside your home. In winter it pulls heat from the air outside and uses this heat to warm the air inside. When the furnace is turned on, it consumes the fuel that powers it, whether it be gas, oil, or electricity. As fuel is burned, heat is produced and channeled to the living areas of your home through ducts, pipes, or wires and then is blown out of registers, radiators, or heating panels. Older systems use the heat they produce to heat water, which in turn heats the air in your home.