In an effort to help you find the right HVAC equipment for your home, we put together this Top Rated Gas Pack Units 2012 list.  It gives you a starting point for researching models from the top manufacturers in the market.  You’ll find individual gas pack reviews on our site for these and many other gas package units, so you can learn more about those you are interested in.  All of our HVAC reviews and ratings are designed to allow you to compare models side by side in one place, saving you time and making it more convenient for you to find models that make sense for your home or building. We list these in order of Energy Efficiency.

Top Rated Gas Packs 2012

1. American Standard Platinum Series ZM Gas Pack

16.6 SEER; 80% Efficient: Energy Star Rated

American Standard has one of the best service records of any brand because their equipment is built with quality components. The Platinum Series is the top of the line and the Platinum ZM gas pack is one of the most efficient currently available. It heats with a standard gas furnace and cools with a condensing unit, as most gas packs do.

The 16.6 SEER air conditioning will significantly reduce utility bills when this model replaces one 12-15 years old.  It features a 2-stage Duration compressor, one of the highest-rated available. The Vortica variable-speed blower offers very precise temperature control with little fluctuation. You may see this gas model labeled as the American Standard 4YCZ6 Gas/Electric package unit. With its higher SEER, it makes sense for use where summer temperatures are quite warm.

2. Ruud Ultra Series 16 SEER RRRL SERIES 2 – 5 Ton Package Gas Electric Featuring R-410A Refrigerant

16 SEER; 80% Efficient: Energy Star Rated

Ruud gets overlooked at times, but this one shouldn’t be missed. It is efficient and well-built, with a durable scroll compressor driving the air conditioner. The furnace features a quality in-shot burner that promotes clean burning and energy efficiency. A tubular heat exchanger makes the most of the heat produced. With models from 2 tons to 5 tons, it is easy to find the right size unit for your needs.

3. Carrier Infinity Series Packaged HYBRID HEAT Dual Fuel System MODEL: 48XT

15 SEER; 8.0 HSPF; 81% Efficient: Energy Star

The Carrier Infinity Series is Carrier’s best and this is a very nice package unit.  It is a dual fuel model and contains a heat pump instead of a standard air conditioner.  This means that is can be used for heat when temperatures are cool but not bitterly cold. A 15 SEER heat pump offers significant energy costs savings over an 81% efficient furnace.  You’ll notice lower utility bills when you use the heat pump mode in cool weather. Then, when temperatures drop into the 30’s, where heat pumps are no longer effective, the gas furnace takes over.  Dual fuel heat pump package units are a good choice in any climate, especially those with cold winters.

The Carrier 48XT heat pump package unit is equipped with a 2-stage scroll compressor and a variable-speed blower which provides precise, comfortable temperatures throughout the year, with the aid of the top-rated Infinity controller. This unit features the Ideal Humidity system which provides better humidity control in hot weather, making your home more comfortable.

4. Trane XL14c Gas Pack

14.5 SEER; 80% Efficient: Energy Star

Trane has a reputation for quality and performance and this package unit demonstrates it.  The XL14c package unit is not as efficient as other models, but it costs less too.  For a more efficient Trane gas/electric unit, see the Trane XL16c gas pack.

For indoor comfort, this one is equipped with a variable-speed blower that creates more balanced temperatures during both heating and air conditioning modes.  The 2-stage burner also helps to alleviate temperature fluctuations and it runs more quietly. The Trane XL14c is available in whole-ton and some half-ton sizes from 2-5 tons.

5. York Packaged Heating and Cooling Systems Affinity Gas/Electric Model DNX

13 SEER; 80% Efficient

We’ve included the York DNX package unit on the list because it offers good value to those who don’t need high efficiency.  It is very affordable but also built with quality parts and materials.  The single-stage, single-speed performance saves money and still provides a comfortable home climate.  This is also a compact unit, suitable for installation on the ground or on the roof where a small footprint is required.  The York Affinity DNX package unit is a good choice for mild climates that don’t experience temperature extremes in winter or summer. It is also popular for installation in vacation homes and other part-time use situations where lower equipment cost is more important than high efficiency.

Summary

These are the best package units on the market currently.  Which one is right for your home?  That depends on the efficiency needs.  If you are willing to pay a bit more for a heat pump package unit, you might appreciate having the heating option of electric or gas.

You’ll find more details, including pricing information, in our individual reviews of these models and many others.  This Top Rated Gas Pack Units 2012 offers units that will do a good job heating and cooling your home or small commercial building.

Our guide to the top ten gas packs for residential use gives you a good place to start your search for the right one for your home or commercial building. Today’s gas packs are more efficient and built with excellent quality from leading HVAC manufacturers. We’ve chose gas packs, also known as gas/electric packages, that score well in consumer HVAC reviews and that are built with components with a proven track record.

Note that some of the models we list are dual fuel models.  This means that the gas pack contains a heat pump rather than an air conditioner, along with the gas furnace.  This gives you versatility to heat with the heat pump in cool weather – which is more efficient – and then switch to the gas furnace in very cold weather when a heat pump loses effectiveness.

We list the top ten gas packs by cooling efficiency, or SEER, the seasonal energy efficiency rating.  To qualify as an Energy Star gas pack it must have a 14 SEER or higher rating. We list the furnace efficiency if available, in AFUE, or annualized fuel utilization efficiency.  It measures the percentage of heat created that goes into the home rather than being lost in the exhaust gases.  For dual fuel models, we list the heating rating of the heat pump in HSPF, or heating season performance factor.

1. American Standard Platinum Series ZM Gas Pack: 16.6 SEER, 80% AFUE.  This gas pack is ideal for warm climates where the AC runs heavily.  The highly efficient condensing unit will keep your costs down.  American Standard has a very good service record and the Platinum Series is their #1 line. Two-stage comfort with a variable-speed fan are included.

2. Trane XL16c Gas Pack: 16.6 SEER, 80% AFUE. Trane has one of the best service records in the HVAC industry.  Their equipment is reliable and tough.  This XL16c gas package unit is part of Trane’s best series.  The variable speed Vortica blower and dual Climatuff compressors will keep any home or building very comfortable throughout the year.

3. Ruud Ultra Series 16 SEER RRRL SERIES 2 – 5 Ton Package Gas Electric Featuring R-410A Refrigerant: 16 SEER, 80% AFUE. Ruud makes a very good product line. The RRRL Series is efficient and well-built.  A durable scroll compressor, louvered sides for maximum air flow and better protection, and in-shot burners are its top performance features.

4. Carrier Infinity Series 48xl Gas Pack: 15 SEER, 81% AFUE.  The Carrier Infinity line needs little introduction.  It remains one of the highest-rated brands in the industry. This gas pack features 2-stage cooling, internal pressure switches to extend compressor life, and a long-life stainless steel heat exchanger. Models are available from 2-5 ton cooling and 40,000 Btu to 130,000 Btu heating.

5. Carrier Infinity Series Packaged HYBRID HEAT Dual Fuel System MODEL: 48XT: 15 SEER, 81% AFUE, 8.0 HSPF. Versatility is built into this top of the line Carrier heat pump gas pack.  Choose electric or gas heating depending on the temperature or the relative price of electricity vs. gas. The heat pump has a 2-stage compressor and the furnace has a variable-speed blower – just what’s needed for maximum home comfort.

6 . Bryant Evolution Packaged HYBRID HEAT Dual Fuel System Model: 677D: 15 SEER, 81% AFUE, 8.0 HSPF. This model is a twin of the Carrier listed above.  It’s Bryant’s very best and offers indoor comfort and lower energy bills with its dual fuel capabilities. The Evolution Controls and thermostat are highly rated.

7. Lennox Signature Collection 15GCSX Gas Pack: 15 SEER, 78% AFUE. This is Lennox’s best heat exchanger. It is fairly efficient and offers 2-stage cooling for more balanced indoor temperatures. The tubular heat exchanger and rugged, powder-coated cabinet are just 2 signs of Lennox quality in this unit.

8. Carrier Performance Series Packaged HYBRID HEAT Dual Fuel System Model: 48VT: 14 SEER, 81% AFUE, 8.0 HSPF. You’ll save a few dollars with this model over the Carrier Infinity Series hybrid heat gas pack, but it still delivers excellent quality and longevity. Comfort Heat technology produces higher temperatures at the grate than many heat pumps can provide.  This is a single-stage model that provides heating and cooling you can trust.

9. Armstrong Air 13 Seer Gas/Electric: 13 SEER, 80% AFUE, 7.7 HSPF. Armstrong has carved out a niche in the standard-efficiency range.  The design and build is very solid and the prices for their equipment are very competitive. The Armstrong Air 13 Seer gas pack is a very good choice for mild climates without temperature extremes.  It’s also popular for vacation homes and buildings that don’t get heavy use.

10 . Ducane RGE13 Residential Package Gas/Electric Model RGE13A24050(L)P: 13 SEER, 80% AFUE, 7.7 HSPF.  This is another value-oriented gas pack that is made from the right stuff.  It offers very good long-term reliability and a purchase price that is very affordable. It’s equipped with a multi-speed blower to accompany the single-stage compressor.  It eliminates blasts of untreated air at the beginning of a cycle.

Summary

Which of the top ten gas packs is right for you?  It depends on your climate and whether or not you prefer a dual fuel model.  Dual fuel gas packs cost a bit more but may save you money by using the heat pump when temperatures are above 45 degrees F.  See our gas pack reviews and ratings by searching any of the models.  You’ll get more details that might assist in your decision-making.  Hire a qualified contractor to install your new gas/electric package unit and you’ll enjoy better performance and durability with it.  If you’re in the market for a quality model, we invite you to start your search with these top 10 gas packs.

The Green Guide to Gas Packs 2011 offers insight into today’s most energy-efficient gas packaged unit and also provides tips for greener energy use at home.  Installing energy-efficient HVAC equipment is only half the equation in reducing the use of non-renewable resources.  The key is to adopt energy-conscious practices and also to outfit our homes to make better use of the energy created by the gas pack.  Since gas packaged units don’t offer the same level of efficient operation that split systems do, taking the extra steps is a very important part of the equation.

This gas packs guide offers tips for greener heating and cooling and then we focus on 3 excellent choices in energy-efficient gas/electric packaged units.

Tips for a Greener Approach to Heating and Cooling

1. Choose the Highest Efficiency Gas Pack you can Afford: Having equipment that uses less energy is a good place to begin.  If you aren’t in the market for a new gas pack right now, skip to tip 3. But if you’re searching for a green solution to heating and cooling, choose an Energy Star rated gas pack.  Current Energy Star standards for gas packs require the condensing unit to be 14 SEER for air conditioning.  If it is a heat pump, it must also achieve 8.0 HSPF for heating.  These measurements detail how efficiently the system uses electricity to cool and heat.  The higher the numbers are, the more efficient the unit is.

2. Have the Gas Pack Installed by a Qualified Contractor: All HVAC systems need to be properly installed and adjusted in order to achieve top efficiency.  Even the most efficient gas pack can waste energy if it is not installed by a skilled HVAC professional with good experience installing and tuning gas/electric packages.

3. Maintain your Gas Pack Yearly: All HVAC systems, especially older ones, need regular maintenance in order to continue to operate efficiently.  Components can fall out of adjustment and the burner and coils can become dirty, both of which will rob the system of efficiency.  Ongoing maintenance pays for itself in energy savings and will definitely reduce greenhouse gas emissions when it operates more cleanly.

4. Support Gas Pack Efficiency By Creating an Energy Efficient Home: Bring you home’s insulation up to advised levels.  Replace old windows and doors or at least add weather stripping to them.  Use window treatments that reflect sun away from your home in summer and insulate to keep warmth in during the winter.  Awnings over south-facing windows will also help reduce penetrating heat in the summer.  The awnings can be removed or rolled back in winter.

5. Program your Gas Pack: Rather than having it set to the same temperature all season, or relying on a manual thermostat and your memory, choose a programmable thermostat.  You can program the system to turn down when people are sleeping or gone and have it come back up in time to make the home comfortable when you need it.

These are some of the important steps you can take to ensure the greenest operation of your gas pack and to support a lifestyle that reduces carbon emissions throughout the year.

Energy-Efficient Gas Packs

These gas/electric systems are among the greenest available.  Each one will significantly reduce your energy use when it replaces an older unit.  In addition, they also use R-410A refrigerant.  It goes by different names including Puron, but the key is that it does not contain ozone-depleting chlorine.  Here are 3 gas packs that provide a good place to start your search for an energy-efficient heating and cooling solution.

Trane XL16c Gas Pack

This is a top-rated gas pack because it offers outstanding efficiency.  The 16.6 SEER air conditioning is among the best available, an Energy Star gas pack. It runs at 50% capacity most of the time, using full capacity only to boost cooling when required. The Trane XL16c uses an aluminum-fin coil to quickly disperse heat and increase cooling efficiency. The 80% efficient furnace is about standard for gas/electric packaged units, though there are more efficient models on the market. Still, this gas pack will lower your energy use throughout the year and can be part of a greener approach to making your home more comfortable.

Bryant Evolution Packaged HYBRID HEAT Dual Fuel System Model: 677D

This packaged gas/electric unit makes the list because it is one of a new generation of dual fuel package units. The condensing unit is a heat pump so that it can provide air conditioning in the summer and heating in cool weather.  Heat pumps are more efficient than gas furnaces for heating when temperatures are above about 45 degrees F.  The Bryant Evolution 677D allows you to reduce energy use and still have a gas furnace to heat in the coldest weather. It offers Energy Star efficiency: 15 SEER, 8.0 HSPF and 81% AFUE.  Expect to see more dual fuel gas packs offered as demand for an energy-conscious approach increases.

Ruud Ultra Series 16 SEER RRRL SERIES 2 – 5 Ton Package Gas Electric Featuring R-410A Refrigerant

Ruud has a reputation for making reliable, affordable products like this energy-efficient gas/electric packaged unit. This is an Energy Star product that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the use of non-renewable energy.  The tubeless, stainless steel heat exchanger is corrosion-resistant and assists in making this one of the most efficient gas packs on the market.

Summary

While gas packs aren’t the most energy-efficient way to heat, if your home requires one, these models are a good place to begin your search for the right one. Keep in mind too, that the way you use your heat pump and energy-efficient changes you make to your home will go a long way toward greener heating and cooling in every season of the year.

Many homeowners choose gas packs because they are very quiet – since no components are in the house.  They may also offer lower installation costs because they are easier to install than split systems.  As you consider a gas pack for your home or commercial building, here is our list of Top Rated Gas Pack Units for 2011.

1. Trane XL16c Gas Pack

Trane is one of the most respected names in the HVAC industry. Their products like the Trane XL16c gas pack are backed with years of innovation and quality.  This unit delivers excellent performance and good efficiency that will keep energy costs down for any consumer.

Quality features begin with the Energy Star-rated 16.6 SEER and 80% AFUE.  The 2-stage ClimaTuff compressor is highly rated in independent gas pack reviews.  The multi-speed Vortica blower gives you better control over indoor climate in every season.  Stainless steel heat exchanger and burner stand up to the elements and resist corrosion.  Trane’s well-respected Comfort-R technology reduces humidity in air conditioner mode.  The robust warranty offers limited lifetime coverage on the heat exchanger, 12-year limited coverage on the compressor, and 10 years on all other parts.  This is a top of the line model from Trane that will meet your high expectations.

2. Carrier Infinity Series 48XL Gas Pack

The 15 SEER/81% AFUE efficiency is very respectable for all seasons.  When this model replaces an older gas pack it may reduce operation costs by as much as 35% or more.  The 2-stage scroll compressor offers quieter operation most of the time, yet has the energy to significantly boost cooling when needed.  The high-pressure and loss of charge switches offer better system protection.  A variable-speed blower combined with the Carrier Infinity or Thermidistat controllers allow you to customize your indoor climate settings with precision.  The Carrier Ideal Humidity System enhances humidity control and improves year-round air quality.

The heat exchanger and other key parts are made from stainless steel to provide longevity and continued performance.  Competitive pricing makes the Carrier Infinity Series 48XL gas pack worth considering.

3. American Standard Platinum Series ZM Gas Pack

This is American Standard’s best.  It is loaded with features to make it a top choice for homeowners and commercial building owners.  Its 16.6 SEER is one of the top efficiencies on the market.  The 2-stage operation and variable-speed motor allow you to customize indoor climate more easily.  The Duration compressor is often cited in gas pack reviews by consumers and testers for its quiet, reliable performance.  The American Standard Platinum Series ZM also uses the Vortica blower that is proven dependable and efficient.  The spine-fin coil effectively transfers heat for faster cooling.  This is a well-rounded gas pack for those who want the highest quality available.

4. Goodman 15 SEER GPG15 Gas Pack

Goodman doesn’t have the years of experience other manufacturers do, but they are making a name for themselves with quality products backed by excellent warranties. They are inviting new customers to give them a try, and more often than not, expectations are met or exceeded.

The Goodman 15 SEER GPG15 gas pack uses direct-spark ignition which offers better reliability.  The single-stage scroll compressor and single-speed blower motor contribute to the affordability of this well-made gas packaged unit.  Lower equipment cost is combined with very respectable performance to give consumers excellent value.

5. Lennox Signature Collection 15GCSX Gas Pack

Lennox has a reputation for consistent quality that pervades their entire lineup of HVAC equipment. You’ll find it in this durable and efficient gas pack that is a good choice of any residential or light-commercial building.  The 15 SEER performance will help keep energy costs under control in any setting.

A 2-stage compressor along with a variable-speed blower creates balanced temperatures and a consistently comfortable climate in all weather conditions.  The stainless, tubular heat exchanger and durable scroll compressor will provide years of reliable service.  Add the optional Advanced Air Purification system when air quality must be of the highest caliber. Whether or not you’ve used Lennox equipment in the past, the Lennox Signature Collection 15GCSX will impress you.

Conclusion

These 5 gas packs represent the industry’s best.  They offer quality, efficiency and reliability.  Home and business owners appreciate their quiet operation.  They virtually eliminate indoor noise from operation.  They work very well in homes, daycares, churches, clinics, senior living centers, assisted care facilities, retail locations, restaurants, and other venues where indoor climate control and sound control are extremely important.

Begin your search for your next gas pack with our Top Gas Packs 2011 guide and you’ll likely find one that meets your needs very well.  When you do select a gas pack, it makes sense to protect your investment with quality installation by a qualified contractor.  Incorrect installation can greatly diminish an HVAC system’s performance, robbing it of both efficiency and longevity.  Professional installation by experienced HVAC technicians will give your system the efficiency you want, with fewer repairs and system failures in the years ahead.

Terms

Getting familiar with the terminology is an important part of an introduction to HVAC systems. We’ve listed the terms logically rather than in alphabetical order.

HVAC: This stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Condensing unit: The main component in a central air conditioner or heat pump.  It contains a compressor that pumps refrigerant, a condensing coil and a fan, along with supporting parts.

Refrigerant: A substance with the capacity to expand and absorb a significant amount of heat and then rapidly condense and shed that heat.  Refrigerant cools a home by absorbing and removing heat, and heats a home by absorbing heat outside and releasing it inside.  Refrigerant is used in both central air conditioners and in heat pump systems.

Heat pump: A condensing unit is usually associated with central air conditioning because it uses refrigerant to pull heat out of the home, thereby cooling the home.  A heat pump contains a condensing unit that also heats the home.  The flow of refrigerant is reversed.  Heat is captured outside and released by the refrigerant indoors.

Air handler: An HVAC component installed inside a building that pushes treated (heated or cooled) through the supply ducts and pulls untreated air into the system through the return ducts.  It does not produce heat.

Efficiency: This term refers to how efficiently the HVAC equipment uses its energy source to heat or cool air.  For condensing units, the efficiency is measured in SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) for air conditioning and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) for heating. In both cases, the higher the number is, the more efficient the unit is.  For gas and oil furnaces, efficiency is measured by AFUE (Annualized Fuel Use Efficiency), and is given in a percentage.  For example, in an 80% AFUE furnace, 80% of the heat created goes into the home and 20% is wasted in the venting process.  Today’s most efficient furnaces are more than 97% efficient.

Capacity: This is sometimes referred to as the “size” of a unit and refers to how much heating or air conditioned air a unit is capable of producing.  Condensing units are measured by tons, a reference to the cooling capacity of one ton of ice.  Residential condensing units are produced with capacities from 1.5 tons to 5.0 tons.  Their heating capacity is measure in Btuh, or British thermal units per hour.  One ton of cooling capacity is equal to approximately 12,000 Btuh.  Furnaces are measured by Btuh.

Types of HVAC Systems

This introduction to HVAC systems wouldn’t be complete without a discussion of the types of HVAC systems available.

Split system: An HVAC system in which a condensing unit or heat pump is installed outside the home and a furnace or air handler is installed inside.

Mini split system: An air conditioning system in which a small condensing unit is installed outside and up to 4 small evaporator units/air handlers are installed in rooms or zones.  These are also called ductless systems because they disperse air through the evaporator unit rather than through the building’s ductwork.  They are popular installations where no duct work exists.

Packaged Unit: Unlike a split system, both the heating and air conditioning components are housed in one large cabinet, installed outside the home or building.  There are several types of packaged units.  Gas packaged units, also called gas/electric packaged units or simply gas packs, use a furnace to heat and a condensing unit to cool.  Heat pump packaged units use a condensing unit to both heat and cool.  Air conditioner packaged units use a condensing unit to cool but have no source of heat.  They are used in residential settings where an alternate form of heating is used, and in commercial buildings in warm climates.

Keys to Cost

We’ll conclude this introduction to HVAC systems with a brief discussion of the major factors that affect cost.  In order of importance, they are:

1. Efficiency:  High-efficiency HVAC systems cost more for the equipment, but they use less energy and so produce reduced utility bills.  You’ll need to decide if purchasing high-efficiency equipment makes sense in your situation based on your area’s climate and how long you intend to stay in the home.

2. Capacity: The greater the volume of air that can be treated, the more the unit will cost, all else being equal.

3. Performance features: Certain features optimize the homeowner’s ability to precisely control indoor climate.  These include a 2-stage compressor in a condensing unit, multi-stage gas valve in a furnace, and a variable-speed blower in an air handler or gas furnace.  They are attractive to those who want very even temperatures with little fluctuation, but they also allow better humidity control in all seasons and better air filtration or purification.  This is primarily because they operate on low most of the time, and so they run more consistently.  Air circulates more continuously to achieve these desirable results.

Conclusion

While this introduction to HVAC systems isn’t exhaustive, it will give you the information you need to understand the basics of today’s heating and air conditioning systems.  The more information you have, the more likely you are to make decisions you’ll be satisfied with in the years to come.

We’ll begin by discussing the major components you’ll need to know about for understanding HVAC systems.  The term HVAC outlines our approach: Heating, Ventilation and Air Condition.  We’ll look at heat sources, air conditioning sources and the role of ductwork in how HVAC systems work.

Air Conditioning

Here is an overview of how central air conditioning works to cool your home.  The condensing unit is the large cabinet that sits outside your home.  It contains a compressor, a condensing coil, a fan and other supporting parts.  Inside your home, in the furnace or air handler, you’ll find the evaporator coil.  A copper refrigerant line carries liquid refrigerant into your home and is attached to the evaporator coil. There, the refrigerant rapidly expands into a gas, absorbing heat in the process.  The result is that the coil gets very cold.

The hot gas refrigerant leaves your home via a second copper line attached to the condensing coil where the refrigerant is condensed back into a liquid, shedding heat in the process.  The condensing coil is similar to a radiator.  Heat transfers through it very efficiently and is dispersed by the condensing unit’s fan.

Back inside your home, the furnace’s blower motor starts to run, passing warm air from the house over the cold evaporator coil, cooling it significantly as the refrigerant absorbs heat out of it.  The cooled air is forced through the supply ducts into your home.  This cycle continues until your home is cooled to the level indicated on the thermostat.

Heating Components

The 3 most common heating components in use today in residential settings are the gas or oil furnace, the electric furnace, and the heat pump.

1. Gas or Oil Furnace: These heating components have certainly stood the test of time.  They are affordable, efficient and clean-burning.  Here is how they heat your home.  When the thermostat calls for heat, a draft inducer motor starts.  It is smaller than the blower motor.  Its purpose is to ensure that the furnace vent is open so that combustion gases may escape.

If the vent is open, the fuel valve will open so that oil, natural gas or propane can flow into the burner.  Oil burners and gas burners function slightly differently, but the effect is the same.  The fuel is ignited and begins to heat the air in the combustion chamber.  A fresh-air supply feeds the flame.  The combustion gases never mix with air being distributed into your home.  They pass through a heavy-gauge metal component known as a heat exchanger.  The purpose is for heat to transfer through the metal and heat the air that is being cycled through the ductwork.  The combustion gases are vented through the flue after passing through the heat exchanger. High-efficiency furnaces contain a second heat exchanger that captures even more heat before it is vented.

Once the flame is burning, the furnace’s blower motor starts.  It pushes heated air through the supply ducts into rooms or zones of your home.  At the same time, it draws unheated air into the system via the cold-air returns.  This cycle continues until the temperature in your home reaches the level set on the thermostat.

2. Electric Furnaces: These work similarly to a gas or oil furnace but they use electrically powered heating coils instead of gas or oil.  This simplifies their installation and means that no fuel lines or fuel storage tanks are required. The heating coils heat air that is dispersed by a blower through the ductwork.

3. Heat Pump: To understand how a heat pump warms your home, first read the section above on air conditioning.  Heat pumps contain a reversing valve that changes the directional flow of refrigerant.  This means that heat is captured outside your home and brought in by the refrigerant to be released inside the indoor coil and distributed through the ductwork.  Heat pumps are effective in capturing outdoor heat down to about the freezing mark, and even a bit lower.

Heat pumps most often use an air handler to distribute the heated air.  However, many heat pumps are dual fuel compatible, meaning they can be paired with a furnace instead.  That gives the homeowner the choice to switch to furnace heat when the temperature gets too low to make heat pumps effective.

Split Systems and Packaged Units

The term “split system” is used with central air conditioner and heat pump systems when the condensing unit is installed outside your home and the furnace or air handler is installed inside.

One type of split system we haven’t mentioned is known as a mini split or ductless system.  It is a form of air conditioning system that serves a single room or zone within a home or building.  A small condensing unit is installed outside.  A single evaporator unit or mini air handler is mounted in the room or zone, usually high on a wall or on the ceiling.  They do not use any ductwork.  They cool and distribute air by drawing it into the unit, cooling it and sending it back out.

The term “packaged unit” is used when all the major components of the HVAC system are packaged together and installed outside your home in one large cabinet.  There are gas packaged units that use a gas furnace for heating, heat pump packaged units in which a heat pump does double duty, and air conditioner packaged units that supply cool air only.  One duct connects to the home and supplies treated air (heated or cooled) and a second duct brings untreated air to the system.

Conclusion

Understanding HVAC systems is a matter of knowing how they produce treated air.  Our goal is to help you be a knowledgeable consumer who can take control of your heating and air conditioning decisions rather than feeling like you have no choice but to leave them in the hands of a contractor.  Educated consumers will more often make decisions that are in the best long-term interest!

1. Window-Mounted Air Conditioners: Window units are installed in a single- or double-hung window.  They use horizontally expandable wings to block the remainder of the window and create a seal.  They are relatively inexpensive and do a good job of cooling and dehumidifying a single room or small zone in a home or commercial building.  Concerns with window-mounted air conditioners are that they tend to be noisy and that since they are mounted at window-level, they can make the area immediately around them uncomfortably cool.  They might also be a security risk.

2. Through the Wall Air Conditioning: An opening is cut into an exterior wall and cased like a window would be.  Many models come with sleeves that provide a more precise fit.  These units can be installed higher than window units to prevent cold zones.  They are quieter than window units too, and are a popular choice for affordable, local air conditioning.  Since the units are permanent, however, they may produce a draft problem in cold weather.

3. Portable Air Conditioning: This is not one of the most common air conditioning options, but the technology is being refined and units are becoming more affordable.  An portable unit can be wheeled from room to room.  It exhausts hot air through the use of a flexible vent, not unlike a dryer vent, which must be secured to an open window.  They also have a collection tub for condensate water, similar to a dehumidifier.  When the tub fills up, the unit shuts down until it is emptied.

4. Central Air Conditioning: This is one of the most popular air conditioning options in use today.  They are also known as air conditioner split systems because the condensing unit is located outside the structure and the air handler or furnace, along with the indoor coil, is located inside.  Central air conditioning, or CAC, is an affordable way to cool an entire building, or at least a large zone.  Central air conditioners for residential use have a cooling capacity up to 5.0 tons which is enough to cool approximately 3,000 to 4,000 square feet, depending on the local climate and the layout and construction of the structure.

Central air conditioning requires ductwork, however.  The conditioned air is distributed through the ductwork to the rooms or zones.  Where buildings do not have ductwork in place, other air conditioning options will be preferred because retrofitting a building with ductwork can be very expensive, if not impossible.

5. Packaged Air Conditioning: These units function like central air conditioning in that they attach to the building’s ductwork to distribute treated air.  The major difference is that, rather than being part of a split system, they package the components together in one large cabinet.  It may be just air conditioning and a blower, or may contain a heat source as well.

6. Ductless Air Conditioning: These systems are often called mini-split systems because they feature a small condensing unit outside the building.  Inside the room is a wall- or ceiling-mounted “head” or blower connected to the condenser with refrigerant lines.  The blower is typically mounted high up to provide more balanced cooling throughout the room.  Air direction can often be adjusted, sometimes with a handheld remote controller.  These units are a very good choice in single rooms or zones.  In price, they cost more than through the wall units but less than CAC systems.  They offer very high efficiency and are very quiet since the condensing unit is smaller than a central air conditioning condensing unit. They are also easy to install.

Conclusion

These are the 6 most common air conditioning options on the market today.  The best one for you is the one that will provide air conditioning most effectively, efficiently and affordably, given the circumstances of the home or commercial setting.  Be sure to review your air conditioning options thoroughly and get multiple estimates on work before you make a final choice.

The seller is definitely trusted and has 100% positive feedback - so nothing against them, but $1600 for an infinity package unit and 2 of them in stock? BUY-BUY-BUY! For kicks I went back and looked through some of the dealer price sheets I had laying around, a 2.5 ton Infinity Package unit cost more than $2600 wholesale!

Heck - this thing is $2400 any other time and you can tag on another $1500-$2000 for installation!

Lets do some math...

Carrier Infinity 2.5 Ton 13 Seer Package Unit

• Unit Cost: $1600
• Setup your own Shipping from freightquote.com: About $200 MAX
• Total cost: $1800
• Get onto craigslist and find a local guy to install it for you: $500

Total Cost: $2300, installed!

Serious... this is a DEAL, even if Carrier refuses to honor the warranty for any reason! Call it what it is... but it better include deal!