Air Conditioning - Combo Unit install queston

Hello,
My first Post here!

I am in the process of researching a Combo unit (AC/Gas heat) system for our 2 bed/2bath single story 1300sq ft home. I looked at the split systems and it seems it would be easier and more streamlined to do a combo unit like running a single electrical feed and connecting to the gas line from the crawlspace to the outside floor unit.

One of my concerns is the ducting. I don’t mind the square duct running the short distance up the back of the house to the attic. But what about the return?

1.Can I utilize the old floor furnace opening for the return?
2.If so I will be running the 20ft return through the 2 ½ foot crawl space under the house with only one sharp turn.
3.Can it be ported through a crawlspace vent or do I need to punch another hole?

Thanks!
-Robert

I assume that you already have a split system. Or do you only have a gas furnace at this point?

You could add the gas pack and have duct work run up the side of your house as well as knock a large whole in your foundation for the return. But I think it would be much cheaper to put in a heat pump with a gas furnace and run a lineset in the crawl space.

Get estimates.

Chris

If you have a 2½' deep crawl space, the furnace or air handler and all of the ductwork could be put in the crawl. There would be far less astetic impact with a split system than with a package unit, the equipment last longer & you can get higher efficiency equipment. Installation would be a little more involved but not greatly. The electric & gas are minors.

Hmm, after some additional research, I may look into the split. The Electrical and Gas are each at opposite ends of the house (long runs). The house is 70 years old and has brittle lath and plaster. The least amount of intrusion/vibration the better. I was hesitant on putting anything in the 4' attic. But I didnt think of the Crawl space.

We only have an outdated floor heater centrally located. No Ducts. I could incorporate the opening as the return with the Gas Pack system.

Are the splits really better?

-Robert

I think the split system last longer than a packaged unit. Packaged unit's heat exchanger goes out sooner than a split system because the a/c coil cools down the heat exchanger, and hghi humidity collects on the inside part of it where it's cool and may lead to rusting over time.