A Closer Look at Natural Gas Air Conditioners

As Georgia’s most-trusted natural gas provider, people often want to know our thoughts here at Gas South on the best types of energy appliances and HVAC systems for their homes and businesses. And we’re happy to share what we know. In this week’s blog, we tackle the subject of natural gas air conditioners. 

What are natural gas air conditioners and how do they work?

The A/C units most of us are familiar with use electricity to power a compressor and refrigerant to create cool air, which is then distributed through vents and ductwork throughout our homes and businesses.  

Natural gas air conditioners, on the other hand, burn gas to create heat, which is then used to induce a cycle of water evaporation from a chemical solution called the absorbent. In short, this water vapor is collected and cycled back into the absorbent several times, creating a chilled, concentrated solution, where cold water is again extracted and circulated through a cooling coil. The cool air from the coil is then dispersed through ductwork to the various rooms and living spaces to keep you comfortable on hot summer days. Natural gas air conditioners, for the reasons we just mentioned, are also sometimes referred to as absorption chillers. 

Who uses natural gas air conditioners?

Although used in some homes and small businesses, natural gas air conditioners are typically found in large commercial and industrial settings, as they’re not always practical for the average person or business owner.  And here’s why: 

For one, natural gas air conditioners cost significantly more up front than your standard electric A/C unit—several thousand dollars more. They’re larger and more complex, which could, depending on your location and current set up, present problems in having one installed or retrofitted to accommodate your current location. They also require specialized maintenance and expertise, which could cost you more and make it harder to find help that specializes in their operation. And they’re designed to be most efficient when working at a full and constant energy load, which isn’t always suitable for homes and small businesses that vary use at different times.  

In most cases, electric A/C units are the better choice for residential and small business settings. Thankfully, they’ve come a long way in recent years in terms of efficiency. 

What are the advantages of natural gas air conditioners?

As we mentioned above, natural gas air conditioners are generally better suited for large commercial and industrial uses. And that’s because they offer several advantages over electric A/C systems—when it’s practical to use them, of course. 

They’re typically more efficient, which means they cost less to operate in terms of energy use and frequency of maintenance. This increased efficiency means a smaller carbon footprint and less environmental impact too. They tend to run quieter, as well, and though they do require small amounts of electricity to run components like fans and pumps, natural gas air conditioners can be a great option in remote areas where there’s a limited supply of electricity. 

What should I consider if I’m set on getting a natural gas air conditioner?

Availability, cost, compatibility, installation and maintenance are all important factors to weigh when you’re thinking about getting a natural gas air conditioner. If you don’t have natural gas already at your location, start with your utility company to see if it’s even an option—check out our tips on how to get natural gas service.  

If you’re already using natural gas or know it’s possible to have service at your address, start by contacting a local HVAC professional, like our partners at Coolray.  They can help walk you through your options and ensure safe and proper installation.