Package Unit AC Install Walkthrough: The Movie Set House, Part 3

With the old ducts out and the new ones in, the last piece of this Gonzales County job was the equipment. Daniel, Brody and Fabian installed a package unit, and in this video the guys walk around the finished install and show what a clean package unit installation should look like when the job is done.

This series: Part 1: Ripping out the old ductwork · Part 2: New ducts in the crawl space · Part 3: The package unit (this post)

What is a package unit?

Most central systems are split: an air handler or furnace inside the house and a condenser outside, connected by refrigerant lines. A package unit puts the heating and cooling equipment in one cabinet that sits outside, usually on a pad beside the home, with supply and return ducts running straight into it.

When a package unit is the right call

• Homes with a crawl space and no good place for an indoor air handler. This house is a perfect example.
• Homes without an attic or closet big enough for indoor equipment, including many manufactured and mobile homes. See our post on installing a 4-ton AC in a mobile home.
• Homeowners who want all service done outside. Every component is in one cabinet, so maintenance and repairs never require someone in your attic.

Package units come as straight AC with electric heat, gas/electric, or as a heat pump, which handles both heating and cooling with one piece of equipment and does well in our Central Texas winters.

What a clean install looks like

1. A level pad with the unit set off the ground and clear of runoff.
2. Sealed duct connections at the cabinet, with the plenum transitions insulated so the first few feet of duct are not sweating in the summer.
3. Proper electrical with a disconnect within sight of the unit and the wiring secured and protected.
4. Condensate drained away from the house, not pooling at the foundation.
5. Clearance on all sides for airflow and for the next technician to service it.

The short tour, straight from the crew:

Thinking about a new system?

Whether it is a package unit, a split system or a ductless mini split, the right equipment depends on the house. We size every system to the home, check the ducts first, and show you the options with numbers. Start on our AC installation page, or read the $5,000 rule if you are deciding between repairing and replacing. Financing is available on every install.

Quick questions

Are package units less efficient than split systems? Not necessarily. Modern package units are available in the same efficiency ranges. The bigger efficiency win on this house was the new, sealed ductwork.

Do you install in Gonzales County? Yes. We serve Gonzales, Seguin, New Braunfels and the surrounding towns within about 50 miles. See every town we serve.