Last week, my wife and I went for a walk in an upscale neighborhood here in Kingsport TN.u00a0 Beautiful brick houses, perfectly manicured lawns, big garagesu2026 the very height of suburban paradise.u00a0 Some even had waterfront views of the Holston River.rnrnBecause the neighborhood was so nice, I was shocked to see all of the packaged heat pump units outside of these homes!u00a0 So much so, that I took a picture of one.rnrnYou are perhaps not as shocked as I was, but let me explain what is a packaged unit and why they were so out of place on those homes.rnrnA packaged unit is a combined condensing unit AND air handler all in one giant box.u00a0 They sit outside and duct underneath the home where they connect to the rest of the ductwork.rnrnThis is in contrast to the much more common split system.u00a0 A split system separates the air handler (usually in the crawl space, basement, or attic) from the condensing unit which goes outside.rnrnOf course, there are appropriate applications for package units, but for most homes u2013 I avoid them.u00a0 So, letu2019s start with the good things about packaged units:rn
rn t- Because the entire system is outside, a package unit can fit in an application with a very short crawl space.
rn t- Servicing a package unit is easier too since it is out in the open and not in a cramped crawl space.
rn t- Initial installation is easier: there is no refrigerant tubing to run and there is only one power line to run (instead of one to the indoor and one to the outdoor unit in a split system).
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rnBut now the badu2026rn
rn t- Options u2013 There are precious few options in package units. While you may be able to choose from 6 separate split systems with various efficiency ratings and features, you are lucky to get 2 different package units to choose from. Package units are not volume products for HVAC manufacturers and they just donu2019t make that many options.
rn t- Efficiency u2013 the cooling and heating efficiency ratings for package units are Poor. Really poor.u00a0 Trane makes 13 and 15 SEER2 heat pump package units (with very poor heating (HSPF2) ratings too).u00a0 But they make a 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20+ SEER2 split systems!
rn t- Critters u2013 After a few years, a package unit is all but certain to attract a family of critters. And since the unit connects directly to the ductwork, these critters have direct access to under your home!
rn t- Cost u2013 package units are expensive. Considering the middling performance ratings, it is especially unsettling to pay so much for a package unit.
rn t- Unsightly u2013 that big giant box sitting outside your home is a bit of an eyesore
rn t- Longevity u2013 since a package unit sits outside (all of it), it is subject to weather conditions and just doesnu2019t seem to last as long. I anticipate 8-12 years for a package unit in contrast to 12-20 years for a split system.u00a0 For that matter, the house I bought here in Kingsport had a Trane XL12 split system heat pump that was still running after 35 years!
rn t- Noise u2013 package units make a fair amount of noise outside.
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rn rnrn rnrnOk, now that we know the pluses and minus for package unitu2026 what should you do if you have one?u00a0 First, I would poke your head into the crawl space and measure the height.u00a0 If it is 3u2019 or more, you donu2019t need a package unit. u00a0Nextu2026 see how old it is.u00a0 If you donu2019t have the original installation paperwork, just read off the serial number to a local dealer u2013 they should be able to tell you when it was manufactured.u00a0 If it is more than 10 yearsu2026 plan for a replacement.u00a0 And when the time comes for replacement, call a reputable HVAC company and tell them you want a quote on a split system (including a patch to the side of your home where the ductwork used to go.u00a0 You will like the split system much better, your electric bills will be lower, and your neighbors will like it too!
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