Home
System Selector

Select which type of system you need.

Split Systems

Split system heating and cooling systems have equipment installed both inside and outside the home. In a split system, the condenser or heat pump is installed outside the home, and...

Split Systems

Split system heating and cooling systems or "central air-conditioning systems" have equipment installed both inside and outside the home. In a split system, the condenser or heat pump is installed outside the home, and a furnace or air handler is installed inside the home. The indoor and outdoor components of a split-system are connected by refrigeration pipes and a low-voltage electrical wire.

A central air-conditioning system uses ducts to distribute cooled air throughout the house. In a “split system” (the most common design) refrigerant circulates between an indoor coil and a matching [meaning from the same brand] outdoor condenser with compressor. The refrigerant cools the air, dehumidifying it in the process; a blower circulates air through ducts throughout the house. A thermostat maintains the temperature at the setting you select. A common variation of a central air conditioning system is the “heat pump”, a type of system that functions as a heater as well as an air conditioner.

Another variation of a split air conditioning system is a "gas heat", which offers you electric air conditioning and gas heating. In warm weather, it's an all-electric high-efficiency air conditioner. In cold weather, it provides warmth from natural gas or propane, giving you the best of both energy worlds.

Lastly, is the "dual fuel" system, which is a combination of "gas heat" and "heat pump". This option offers the most efficient for cold weather environments that require heating year-round. In the milder cold months, the heat pump is activated for heat and in the more extreme cold months, the gas furnace is used as the primary source of heat.

Packaged Systems

Packaged heating and cooling systems sit outside the home on the ground or on the roof and all components are contained internally in a single unit. Like the split system, the Package...

Packaged Systems

Packaged air conditioners also known as "self-contained air conditioners" consist of a compressor, evaporator coil and an air handler all housed in a single-boxed cabinet. Typically they sit outside the home on the ground or on the roof. Like the split system, the Package units distribute conditioned air to the space through ducting which is usually hidden in the ceiling or wall of the building.

Packaged heating or cooling units can be thought of as a bigger version of a window air conditioner. However, unlike window air conditioners or PTAC units, it has a higher cooling and/or heating capacity and can cool an entire house or a commercial building. The nominal capacities of a packaged air conditioner or heat pump range from 2 Ton to 5 Ton (for residential applications and mobile homes) and from 5 Ton to 30 Ton (for commercial applications). These units do come factory-assembled but require skilled technicians to install them properly and ensure optimal performance.

There are several variations to packaged systems (similar to the split systems) which can provide more functional and efficient heating depending on the installation location. The four variations are defined below (all of which provide a cooling source but vary in the way they provide heat):

Packaged Air Conditioning System - where limited warmth is required, an electrical strip heater can be added.
Packaged Heat Pump System - where more frequent heating is required, uses heat pump technology to heat your home.
Packaged Gas Heat System - where heating is year-round, combines an air conditioner with gas-powered furnace performance.
Packaged Dual Fuel System - where the most efficient source of heating is needed, contains a heat pump, capable of heating and cooling in mildly cold temperatures, as well as a gas furnace for the more severe temperatures. This type of packaged system optimizes the heating source for the conditions.

Mini Split Systems

Mini-split equipment is a good choice for home additions, or selective area heating/cooling, such as one floor or wing of a home. The advantage of a mini-split system over other...

Mini Split Systems

Mini-split systems are a good choice for home additions or selective area heating/cooling, such as one floor or wing of a home. The advantage of a mini-split system over other types of heating and cooling equipment is that it doesn't require ducting in the home. Mini-splits systems allow you to control the temperatures in individual rooms or spaces.

Mini-split air conditioning systems have two main components - an outdoor compressor (condenser) and an indoor air-handling unit(s) (evaporator). They are easy to install usually requiring only a three-inch hole through a wall for the conduit; which houses the power and communication cables, copper tubing, and a condensation drain line, linking the outdoor and indoor units.

Mini-split heat pumps are not only great solutions for whole home or new constructions but make good retrofit add-ons to houses with “non-ducted” heating systems, such as hydronic (hot water heat), radiant panels, and space heaters (wood, kerosene, propane). They can also be a good choice for room additions where extending or installing distribution ductwork is not feasible, and energy-efficient new homes that require only a small space conditioning system.

Portable AC Systems

Portable air conditioners provide heating and cooling for one room, or a small area. The advantage is that they don't require any installation, and can be plugged in and operated...

Portable AC Systems

Portable air conditioners & heat pumps, also called Spot Coolers, provide heating and cooling for a specific room or a small area. A spot cooling unit can be moved to where you need it most in your home, office, or building for areas that require consistent temperature regulation.

One of the main advantages of portable units is that they require minimal setup. Most portable air conditioners can be plugged in and operational within minutes.

Since spot cooling units are removing warm air and moisture as they cool, the only setup most units require is that an exhaust be setup. Most units will come with exhaust hoses and other accessories in order to blow this air outside. Other models can be vented into a drop ceiling or through a wall.

Common applications for portable air conditioners are: