Gas furnaces are incredibly common here in Winnipeg—and throughout the world. The efficiency of gas for heating homes leads a lot of folks to ask whether or not their AC uses gas too—and whether or not gas air conditioners are an option.

Does AC use gas? The short answer is no. Your air conditioner probably uses electricity. 

The long answer?  There are gas-powered air conditioners, but they’re not suitable for most residential or commercial operations. Let’s dive in: 

Does Central Air Conditioning Use Gas?

Electric central air systems are far more common than gas-powered central air. A central air conditioning system uses an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, and a series of vents and ducts to distribute cold air throughout your home. Using natural gas to run this system is a bit counterintuitive, because to generate energy, natural gas must combust—and that creates heat.

There are a few different manufacturers playing with gas-based central air conditioning, and some of the developments from these manufacturers are promising—but they’re not quite ready for residential use in most places at the moment. Here are a few gas-based central air condoning units to look out for:

  • OxiCool: Introduced in 2020, OxiCool uses water as a refrigerant—it relies on many of the same principles as traditional central air conditioners (namely, the amount of heat it takes for water to become water vapour), but uses vacuums and sodium to move water through the system without the water freezing. Natural gas is used to heat the system in order to create hot vapour, which is cooled and condensed back into water. The system is incredibly interesting, but we don’t recommend it at the moment; its limited time on the market, its size (48” x 48” x 48”), and its cost  ($10,000 US base) make it less than ideal for most consumers.
  • BROAD Group: BROAD Group is a Chinese company that manufactures gas-powered absorption chillers. These units are used in commercial or industrial contexts; they act as water heaters and cooling systems in one. They aren’t suitable for residential use, and may not offer the modularity that businesses often look for in rooftop cooling systems.
  • Yanmar: Yanmar is a Japanese company known for its diesel engines and machinery. It developed a gas engine-based commercial heat pump that can act as a central air conditioning system. Yanmar’s natural gas heat pumps are the most promising technology on the list at this time, but they are only available for commercial use. 

In summary, most people will have to stick with gas-free central air systems for now, but there are some promising developments, and we may soon use gas as a hybrid source for heating and cooling. 

Does Mini-Split AC Use Gas?

When it comes to mini-split AC systems, the answer is much more straightforward—they don’t use gas. Mini-splits are residential systems, and though some of the promising developments in gas-based central air may eventually trickle down to mini-splits, we don’t see it happening any time soon. Mini-split AC systems use less electricity than traditional central air in many circumstances, however, so they can be worth looking into if you’re trying to lower your electric bill. 

Can I Have A Gas-Free HVAC System?

You can! As we’ve discussed, air conditioning units almost exclusively use electricity, so the key to having a gas-free HVAC system is getting an electric furnace.

Here’s the catch: Comparing traditional hybrid systems to gas-free systems often reveals that the tradeoff isn’t worth the money.

In Manitoba—and other cold regions across the world—gas is much more cost-effective for generating heat than electricity. Though an electric furnace can cost less upfront, gas furnaces tend to cost a lot less over time in cold climates.

In warmer climates, it’s possible to use a heat pump supplemented by an electric furnace; this can be a cost-effective solution. Here in Winnipeg, however, hybrid systems featuring a gas-powered furnace and an electric AC are typically a better choice unless you’re generating a lot of your own electricity. 

How Can I Reduce The Amount Of Electricity My AC Uses?

Upgrade Your AC

The best way to reduce the amount of electricity your AC uses is to upgrade it. Modern central AC systems are far more energy efficient than they used to be—and in many households, ductless mini-split AC systems are even more efficient than that. An upgrade can save you a lot of money on your energy bills over time. 

Improve Insulation

Updating your insulation is another great way of reducing your energy bill. Insulation helps keep cool air in your home when it gets hot outside—and the less cool air that leaks out, the less your air conditioner will have to work.

Get A Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats automatically turn air conditioning units on and off; they also track energy consumption and help you calculate how much money you can save by modifying your AC usage. You can also change the temperature on the go with your smartphone; all of this can lead to better habits that save you money.

Get Better Blinds

Blinds provide a type of insulation by keeping the radiant heat from the sun out of your home. Closing the blinds in the summer while you’re not at home can help take some of the stress off of your air conditioning system—and reflective blinds can dramatically reduce heat gain.

Keep Cool All Summer With SWK!

You don’t need a gas air conditioner to keep your home cool all summer long—get an electric, high-efficiency AC unit from SWK Mechanical instead! For air conditioning Winnipeg residents can rely on, trust our Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. We’ll find the perfect cooling solution for you!