More and more builders and companies are considering alternate forms of energy, like gas air conditioning. This consideration is due to two main reasons: the efficiency of natural gas as well its low emissions. Where the gas powered air conditioner used to be more prevalent in the '30s and '40s, it is regaining in popularity.

Making the most of gas air conditioner helps you decide the natural gas air conditioner that would best suit your needs, whether you're working with your own customers or outfitting your own office.

1. Keep customers' homes cool with a gas operated air conditioner.

2. Use gas powered air conditioning to keep your business comfortable on hot days.

3. Stay cool with portable gas powered AC.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Be comfortable in the home with gas AC unit

There are many gas air conditioner manufacturers that make gas powered AC units for the home--an important consideration for contractors who specialize in building homes. Many of these systems are capable of 2 to 5 tons cooling capacity. What is interesting about these systems is that they often combine with a furnace that has the capacity of 40,000 to 130,000 BTUH. These systems are very efficient, and have low emissions both from burning natural gas.

I recommend: Two of the many manufacturers of the gas AC unit for the home are Bryant and Robur.

Keep production up and your employees happy with a gas fired air conditioner

Large and indeed massive gas powered AC units can work to keep computer rooms to the massive production floors cool. These units are very efficient and you can design one to suit your space. New building projects that have incorporated these units have been hospitals, schools and factories. The gas AC units can be up to 400 ton water-cooled chillers or conditioners.

I recommend: Johnson Controls designs huge systems for industrial applications while Tecogen designs systems for schools, hospitals and more.

Supplement your own system with portable gas air conditioners

Portable air conditioners can come in handy for temporary buildings, or when your own system is not working. These gas air conditioners share the same efficiency as their larger manifestations, and come in various sizes according to their applications.

I recommend: Fedders has portable air conditioners for smaller spaces, while Spot Coolers can handle commercial needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you need to install a gas powered AC unit in your business, but would like more information, contact the manufacturers directly. They will be more than willing to work with you.

Gas air conditioning dates back to the 1930s and 1940s, when most Americans relied on natural gas to cool their homes and businesses. Although the technology fell out of favor in the 1960s, with the introduction of then more cost and energy efficient electric cooling systems, gas ac is making a comeback in the commercial and residential market sectors.

For contractors and builders, offering gas air conditioner solutions is important today, when so many customers are concerned about energy savings and green living. New gas air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy than electric air conditioning systems and the average gas air conditioning system lasts 2 to 3 times longer than an electrical unit. Gas AC units require relatively little maintenance and the environmentally friendly ammonia/water absorption process is ideal for areas with strict environmental laws.

Before purchasing a gas air conditioner, consider the following:

1. Analyzing the various kinds of gas AC units available for commercial use.

2. Learning about the benefits of gas air conditioners for residential use.

3. Determine how gas air conditioning can positively affect your bottom line and our environment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide which type of gas air conditioning unit is best for your commercial client

There are three types of gas air conditioners: absorption, engine-driven and desiccant. Absorption natural gas air conditioners use a cycle of condensation and evaporation of a refrigerant or coolant, much like a vapor compression system, while an engine-driven gas AC works like an electric chiller, using a vapor compression cycle. A desiccant gas powered air conditioner uses two rotating desiccant wheels as part of an evaporative cooling process.

I recommend: The gas powered EarthWise CenTraVac system, by Trane, is an engine-driven gas air conditioning unit combined with a conventional electric absorption chiller for maximum performance and efficiency. York sells a commercial absorption unit, or chiller, which you can fuel with natural gas. American Genius Corporation manufactures a gas re-generator that works as a desiccant, in conjunction with an ac unit.

Get cutting edge gas ac units for your residential clients

The recent increase in demand, by both homeowners and builders, for more energy efficient air conditioning systems has spurred an increase in the production of residential gas ac units. Since green living is a relatively new concept, however, and because high efficiency gas ac is a relatively new technology, there are few companies who manufacture gas powered air conditioners for residential use.

I recommend: Robur, one of the world's leading gas air conditioner manufacturers, features a residential unit that combines gas air conditioning with heating and hot water production. Appropriate for exterior installation, the AYF RTYF series gas powered air conditioner requires virtually no maintenance and can reduce your residential clients' energy bills by nearly 90%. AISIN manufactures residential GHP (gas heat pump) air conditioning units. These gas AC's are highly energy efficient and feature ultra- quiet operation.

Calculate the benefits of gas AC over electric

Although high gas air conditioner prices may make it difficult to convince a client, our yourself, that gas air conditioning is the way to go. Gas powered air conditioning, however, is far less expensive to operate and maintain than electric and investors in the technology consistently enjoy a quick return. Gas air conditioning not only reduces your client's long-term energy costs, but can significantly decrease your carbon footprint, as a contractor or builder.

I recommend: The Energy Solutions Center features a Payback Calculator to help you determine energy savings from switching from gas to electric air conditioners. Figure out energy savings before building a new development or embarking on a remodel, and share the results with your clients. The Cooling Emissions Calculator is ideal for determining how your commercial clients can reduce their negative environmental impact through switching to gas powered air conditioning.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some utility companies offer rebates to customers who install gas air conditioners. Since this can make your gas air conditioner purchase less expensive than you imagined, be sure to call your utility company before making a final home cooling system decision.
• •  Another great benefit of gas air conditioners is they can keep your home or business cool during a blackout. This is great news for those who live in areas with overburdened electric grids.

Gas air conditioner repair education and training is important for the industry, as well as for those who own a gas air conditioner. Because gas appliances can potentially explode, it is necessary to receive the proper training and certification before you begin to repair gas air conditioners in residential or commercial settings. But because it is a more environmentally-friendly approach to cooling buildings, it is becoming more popular.

Certifications for gas air conditioner repair include general HVAC maintenance, as well as specific training in air conditioner repair. You can find many options to train for repairing a gas AC unit in person and online. Some of the types of training available are:

1. Traditional HVAC courses where you can get hands-on training for your specialty.

2. Online courses that allow you to earn certification on your own time for gas powered air conditioner repair.

3. Training seminars, both online and in-person, that cover maintenance, installation and energy topics.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn the basics of gas air conditioner repair from online HVAC courses

Online classes are an easy way to learn for those who want to go into gas fired air conditioner repair. These classes often cost less than a traditional brick-and-mortar training program and take less time, but still provide the education you need to earn HVAC certification.

I recommend: The Training Source provides workshops on a variety of topics that teach HVAC skills, and reinforce skills for those already trained in the field. HVAC Training School provides comprehensive, hands-on courses for all HVAC topics.

Find online training resources for natural gas air conditioning repair

If you want to take your time training for air conditioner repair and also want to save a little bit of money in the process, there are online training courses where you can learn at your own pace and get certified at the end of the course. Many people choose this option in addition to hands on training or an apprenticeship.

I recommend: ProficienTECH provides online training courses in air condition repair that is self-paced and focuses on all types of air conditioning systems. ELearners provides a directory to online courses for all types of air conditioner repair and HVAC certification.

Get training from seminars for gas air conditioning from manufacturers

Besides traditional HVAC training, many who are looking to go into gas air conditioning repair can also benefit from seminars and short courses dedicated to learning about manufacturer-specific issues regarding gas air conditioners. Many manufacturers that sell these air conditioners also offer training courses for repair technicians they employ.

I recommend: Trane provides training events across the country for many HVAC topics, including air conditioning clinics. Honeywell offers its Contractor Pro training solutions for technicians that install its brand of gas air conditioners.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Choosing repair for natural gas air conditioner systems can put you in demand, as this is an emerging technology for both commercial and residential properties.