Package air conditioners prices, pros and cons

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Package air conditioners are commonly used in the Southern and Southeastern portions of the country. These self-contained units have all of the necessary components housed inside one casing to effectively cool a small space.

If you are looking for a cost-effective way to cool your home, a package air conditioner might be the right solution. 

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About package air conditioners

Packaged air conditioners are alternatives to when window or split air conditioners are too small and central air conditioners are too large.

They can be rated at 3, 5, 7, 10 or 15 tons.

They are commonly found in the following types of buildings:

• Residential homes.
• Restaurants.
• Small banquet halls.
• Small offices.
• Other small commercial buildings.

Packaged air conditioners contain all of the components they need to keep your home cool in one casing. This means that the compressor, air handling unit, cooling coil and air filter are all inside the same box. This is unlike split or central air conditioners that have separate indoor and outdoor components.

Packaged air conditioners can also be divided into the following categories:

• Water cooled condensers.
• Air cooled condensers.

Water cooler condenser package air conditioners

A packaged air conditioner with a water cooler condenser has water inside to cool the condenser. This type of AC unit has a shell and tube style condenser.

On the shell side, cooling water flows through the coil to cool the unit. On the tube side, refrigerant flows to remove heat from the building's air. This setup requires the constant flow of water in the shell side. 

Air-cooled packaged air conditioners

Packaged air conditioners that have air-cooled condensers do not rely on water to cool the refrigeration system, but rather the air in the atmosphere. The unit contains a fan that pulls in outdoor air to blow over the condenser and to cool it.

You must place the outdoor unit on an open area where air can flow into it freely.

Because air is easier to control than water, this type of packaged air conditioner is the more common of the two. 

How to install a package air conditioner

Because they are just one component, package air conditioners are slightly easier to install than two-part systems. Since the unit is self-contained and refrigerant charging happens at the factory site, you don't have to worry about harmful coolant leaking into the environment.

These units are installed outdoors at ground level or on rooftops. Some units can be installed in crawl spaces as well. 

When buying a packaged air conditioner, be sure to look for one with good ratings and a solid warranty. To install a packaged air conditioner, you will want to hire a contractor. While these air conditioning units should be easier to install than units with multiple components, they still need to be carefully calibrated to ensure they are running well.

As with all heating and cooling systems, packaged air conditioners can have complexities that require a professional's touch. Get an installation estimate from a qualified HVAC contractor on package air conditioners appropriate for your home now.

 

Photo credit: hvacpressroom.com