Short answer: If your home has one outdoor cabinet that cools and heats, and it is worn out, it can be replaced with another package unit. Call us, tell us what you have, and we will walk you through your options before any work starts.
Is this the right page for you?
This page is for DeSoto homeowners whose home runs on a package unit, sometimes called a gas pack. It may fit you if:
- You have one big cabinet outside, on the roof, the ground or in a crawl space, and no indoor furnace.
- It has stopped cooling or heating, or it keeps breaking down.
- It is past 12 to 15 years old.
- You are not sure whether your home has a package unit or a split system.
Not sure what you have? Call us and describe what you see. We can usually tell from a short description. If your home has a separate indoor furnace and an outdoor unit, see our AC and furnace replacement page instead.
What a package unit is
A package unit puts the cooling section and the heating section in one outdoor cabinet. It cools with an AC section and heats with gas or electric heat. Air moves between the cabinet and your home through the ducts.
Because everything is in one place, there is no indoor furnace closet and no separate indoor coil. That is why package units show up where indoor space is tight.
Package unit or split system
| Package unit | Split system | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the equipment sits | One outdoor cabinet | Outdoor unit plus an indoor furnace or air handler and coil |
| Installation | Simpler | More parts to connect |
| Repairs | Easier to reach | Indoor and outdoor sides |
| Noise indoors | Quieter | Indoor unit inside the home |
| Efficiency | Usually lower | Usually higher |
| Weather exposure | More | Outdoor unit only |
What the job involves
- Call us and tell us about your unit. Tell us where it sits and what it is doing.
- We confirm the details and book a time.
- We look at your system. We check the cabinet, its location and the connection to your ducts.
- We walk you through your options before any work starts. You decide before we begin.
- We remove the old unit and set the new one.
- We test the system before we leave.
What to know first
Location matters. A unit on the roof is harder to replace than one on the ground. Tell us where yours sits when you call.
Lifespan. Package units that are 12 to 15 years old or more are close to the end of their expected life. If you have already repaired yours more than once, it may be time to look at a replacement. Our repair or replace checklist can help you decide.
Refrigerant. New residential AC equipment can no longer ship with R-410A. Most makers now use R-454B. If your unit is old, ask what refrigerant it uses.
Ask about the license. Texas licenses air conditioning contractors through TDLR, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Ask any company you talk to for its TDLR license number.
Ask about permits. The City of DeSoto says permits are required for mechanical work its codes cover. Ask any company whether your job needs one.
Questions
What is a package unit?
A package unit is one outdoor cabinet that holds both the cooling section and the heating section. It cools with an AC section and heats with gas or electric heat. Some homes have one because there is no indoor closet or basement space for a separate furnace and coil.
Where is a package unit installed?
On the roof, in a crawl space, or on the ground next to the home. Roof installs are the hardest of the three.
How long does a package unit last?
Standard brands often last about 12 to 18 years, and premium brands about 15 to 22. Weather exposure and upkeep both play a part.
Is a package unit different from a split system?
Yes. A split system has an outdoor unit plus a separate indoor furnace or air handler and coil. A package unit puts it all in one cabinet. Package units tend to be simpler to install and service and quieter indoors, but they are usually less efficient than split systems and sit out in the weather.
Ready to talk about your package unit?
Call us, tell us what your unit is doing, and we will walk you through your options.