By Anne Fonda
A packaged HVAC system is an air conditioning and/or heating system in which all components are located in one outdoor cabinet. It’s also known as an all-in-one HVAC system.
A packaged unit HVAC system is commonly used in smaller homes, condos, and other locations that are tight on space. The package unit can be located beside your home, in a crawl space, under an elevated deck, or on the roof, depending on the specifics of your home and property.
A packaged HVAC unit heats and cools your home just like a traditional split system does. It’s just the packaging and size that are different. We’ve already established that a packaged system contains the heating and cooling components (or just the cooling component) in one cabinet.
In a split HVAC system, you have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Split systems are the most common residential HVAC system in the U.S. The outdoor unit is either an air conditioning unit or a heat pump. The indoor unit is either a furnace or an air handler. Split systems are best suited to larger homes with at least a side yard.
There are several types of central heating and air packaged units. They’re available in multiple capacities and efficiencies to suit the size of your home and your heating and cooling needs. American Standard packaged units boast industry-leading quality and include:
Let’s take a look.
While split system air conditioners will have one indoor unit and one outdoor unit, packaged AC units fit everything needed to cool your home in just one outdoor unit. This allows you to save space inside, plus an AC package unit is easy to install and maintain.
Cooling-only air conditioning packaged units are available in multiple capacities, just like traditional air conditioners. Work with an American Standard HVAC professional to determine the correct sizing for your packaged AC unit. This unit is available as a 5-ton AC packaged unit, 4-ton AC packaged unit, 3-ton AC packaged unit, and 2-ton AC packaged unit, as well as 2.5 and 3.5-ton units.
Gas/electric packaged units combine an electric air conditioner with a gas furnace to give you a complete comfort solution for your home. The furnace and AC combo are housed inside one cabinet that is placed outside your home. Also simply known as a gas packaged unit, these gas heating and AC systems are suitable for areas with hot summers and cold winters.
Like a split system heat pump system, heat pump packaged units both heat and cool your home. Work with an American Standard HVAC professional to help determine the proper sizing for your packaged heat pump unit. Our units are available as a 5-ton heat pump packaged unit, 4-ton heat pump packaged unit, 3-ton heat pump packaged unit, and 2-ton heat pump packaged unit, as well as 2.5 and 3.5-ton units.
Dual-fuel heat pump packaged units, or hybrid comfort systems, give you the best of both the heating and cooling worlds. Inside one cabinet, this system houses a heat pump that cools your home and heats it in mild to cold temperatures, as well as a gas furnace that heats when the temperatures drop below 35%. A packaged dual-fuel system can help you save both energy and money while keeping your home comfortable year-round.
The right packaged system for your home will depend on the climate, your heating and cooling needs, and other factors. A packaged gas/electric unit is the closest thing to a traditional split system. But a heat pump packaged unit would reduce your carbon footprint. Work with an HVAC professional to determine the best way to cool and heat your indoor space.
Proper system sizing is critical to your home's comfort. From a 3-ton HVAC packaged unit to a 5-ton HVAC packaged unit and other size units, we’ve got you covered. The best way to determine the size of your packaged HVAC system is to work with an American Standard HVAC professional.
Contact your American Standard local HVAC expert for product recommendations and a free quote on a new HVAC installation.
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Samantha Barkley, Product Manager, Residential Packaged Equipment
Heating and/or cooling systems in which all components are located in one cabinet.
A combination of two HVAC systems that work together to both heat and cool your home.
Split systems have units in two places, typically one inside and one outside the home.
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