Jacksonville, FL
Package unit installation for Jacksonville homes
Gas packs and heat pump package units sized from a load calculation, set on a level pad or curb, connected to the ducts and permitted.
Quick answer
When does a package unit make sense in Jacksonville, FL?
A package unit makes sense in Jacksonville when a home has no attic or closet space for an indoor air handler, or already uses a package system, including many slab homes, mobile homes and small commercial buildings. It should be sized with a load calculation, like any other system.
Overview
One cabinet, installed right
When a home already has a package unit, replacing it with another is usually simplest: the ducts, wall or floor penetrations and electrical are already there. The choice is between a heat pump package, which heats and cools electrically, and a gas pack, which cools electrically and heats with gas.
We size the new unit with a load calculation rather than copying the old label, check the duct connections for leaks, and set the unit level on a proper pad or curb. The connections are sealed, the condensate drain is run so it doesn't pool, and the Jacksonville permit and inspection are handled.
Cost factors
What drives the cost of a package unit install
- Gas pack or heat pumpGas packs add gas connection and venting work.
- Tonnage and efficiencySized by load calculation; higher SEER2 costs more.
- Pad or curbNew pads or curb adapters add work.
- Duct transitionsResealing or rebuilding connections.
- ElectricalDisconnect and circuit upgrades if needed.
We price the install after a load calculation and a look at the ducts and pad.
Options
Package unit or split system
| Option | Best for | Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump package | Homes without gas or indoor space | All components outdoors |
| Gas pack | Homes already on gas | Gas line and venting needed |
| Split system | Homes with attic or closet space | Indoor air handler required |
| Ductless system | Homes without ducts | Heads in each room |
| Replace like for like | Existing package setup | Least disruption |
Switching from a package unit to a split system is possible but usually means new indoor space and duct changes.
What is included
Every package unit install includes
- Manual J load calculation
- Level pad or curb, secured
- Duct transitions sealed with mastic
- Condensate drain run away from the slab
- Gas connection leak-tested on gas packs
- Electrical disconnect and circuit checked
- Startup readings recorded
- Jacksonville permit and inspection
What we fix
Gas pack
A gas pack pairs an air conditioner with a gas furnace in one outdoor cabinet. It makes sense where gas is already connected and the owner prefers gas heat. We check the gas line size and venting clearances, install and leak-test the gas connection, and run a combustion check at startup. In this climate the gas side runs only on cold nights, so efficiency on the cooling side matters most when choosing a model. Venting and clearances are checked against the manufacturer's installation instructions before the first light-off.
Heat pump package unit
A heat pump package handles heating and cooling with electricity, using a reversing valve and backup strips for the coldest nights. For most homes without gas, it's the natural choice here, since heating needs are modest and the heat pump carries nearly all of it. We size it to the cooling load, set the strips to the heating load, and configure the thermostat so strips don't run unnecessarily. Defrost operation is checked at startup so the unit handles cold mornings properly. A heat pump package also means one less fuel line to maintain.
Slab or rooftop package unit
Ground units sit on a level pad beside the house, often with ducts entering through a wall or crawlspace. Rooftop units sit on a curb and connect down into the ducts, and may need a curb adapter if the new model's footprint differs. We make sure the unit is level, secured, and that the duct transitions are sealed, since leaks at those connections waste a lot of cooling. On ground units we also make sure the pad sits above standing water, since afternoon storms here can flood low spots quickly.
Brands we service and install
Trane, Carrier, Lennox, Rheem, Goodman, Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, American Standard, Bryant, Ruud, Amana, Honeywell, York, Heil
Sizing a package unit for Jacksonville humidity
Jacksonville's humidity makes sizing as important for a package unit as for any split system. An oversized package unit short-cycles, cools the air quickly and leaves moisture behind, which is a common complaint in homes where the old unit was simply matched by tonnage. We run a Manual J load calculation before quoting, and that number, not the old unit's label, sets the size of the replacement.
How the job runs
How a package unit install runs
- 1
Visit
Load calculation, ducts, pad and electrical checked.
- 2
Written quote
Unit options and scope in one price.
- 3
Permit
We pull the Jacksonville permit.
- 4
Install
Old unit removed, new unit set and connected.
- 5
Start up
Cooling and heating tested, inspection scheduled.
FAQ
Package unit installation questions
Is a package unit less efficient than a split?
Not necessarily; efficiency depends on the model's SEER2 rating.
Can I switch from a package unit to a split system?
Yes, but it usually needs indoor space and duct changes.
Gas pack or heat pump?
Heat pumps suit most homes here; gas packs make sense where gas is already connected.
How long does a package unit install take?
Most like-for-like replacements take a day.
Do you install rooftop package units?
Yes, on homes and small commercial buildings.
Do you pull the permit for a package unit?
Yes, on every installation.
Which package unit brands do you install?
Goodman, Carrier, Trane, Rheem, Lennox and other major brands.
Related services
Other work on the same system
AC Replacement
Change-outs sized with a load calculation, permitted, and filed for the JEA rebate.
Learn moreAC Installation
New systems for additions, new construction and older homes getting central air for the first time.
Learn moreDuctless Mini Split Installation
Single and multi-zone heads for bonus rooms, garages and homes with no room for ducts.
Learn moreDuctless Mini Split Repair
Error codes, dripping heads and weak cooling on mini split systems.
Learn moreEvaporator Coil Replacement
Leaking indoor coils replaced with a coil matched to the outdoor unit.
Learn moreReplace it once, sized right
Call any hour to book a visit and a written quote.