Gas, Electric or Heat Pump? Tony Breaks Down Heating Options for 6–10 Ton Commercial Packaged Units
When a business orders a 6–10 ton commercial packaged HVAC unit, most owners make the same mistake:
They focus only on the cooling tonnage and treat the heating section like a footnote.
Tony has been installing rooftop and pad-mounted commercial units for decades, and he’ll tell you straight:
Choosing the wrong heating type costs you more in the next 10 years than the equipment itself.
Commercial heating loads hit differently than residential loads.
Big open spaces, high ceilings, ventilation requirements, heavy door traffic, and long operating hours make heating efficiency absolutely critical.
This is Tony’s full breakdown of Gas Heat, Electric Heat Strips, and Heat Pump Heating, written exactly like he explains it on job sites.
1. Gas Heat — The Commercial Workhorse
Gas heat is, hands down, the most reliable and widely used heating option in 6–10 ton packaged units.
✔ Best For:
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cold and mixed climates
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buildings that open early and need fast heat-up
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restaurants, gyms, and big retail floors
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spaces with high infiltration (open doors, drafty entryways)
Why Gas Heat Dominates
Gas heat comes from a burner assembly inside a heat exchanger.
It ramps up fast, delivers a strong temperature rise, and works no matter how cold it gets outside.
A business with:
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early morning opening
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high ceilings
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high fresh-air intake
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steady foot traffic
…NEEDS the stability of gas heat.
Drawbacks
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Gas piping must meet code
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Annual burner/heat exchanger inspections
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Slightly higher upfront cost
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Roof penetrations for venting
But in cold-weather states, nothing beats gas heat.
(Reference: Commercial Gas Heating Design )
2. Electric Heat Strips — Simple, Reliable, but Very Expensive to Run
Electric heat strips are basically giant built-in space heaters.
They’re easy for installers, cheap upfront, and simple to maintain — but they're brutal on electric bills.
✔ Best For:
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warm climates
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buildings that rarely need heat
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backup heat only
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small offices or retail
-
locations without gas service
The Good
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Zero combustion
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No venting
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100% efficient at point-of-use
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Fast installation
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Fewer moving parts
The Bad
Electric heat strips are the most expensive heating method in commercial HVAC.
A 10-ton packaged unit with 15–25 kW heat strips can produce massive winter bills.
Tony only approves electric heat in states with mild winters — or when the heat strips are used strictly as emergency or supplemental heat.
(Reference: Commercial Electric Heat Strip Application)
3. Heat Pump Heating — Energy Efficient, Climate Dependent
Heat pumps are the rising star of commercial HVAC because they drastically reduce heating cost — in the right climate.
✔ Best For:
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mild and moderate climates
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buildings with long operating hours
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offices, retail, and medical suites
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companies prioritizing energy efficiency
Why Tony Loves Heat Pumps (When They Fit)
They offer:
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low operating cost
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stable, even heat
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excellent comfort in spring/fall
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no combustion
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minimal temperature swings
A heat pump is a top-tier option for any building where winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing.
The Limitation
Heat pumps lose capacity when outdoor temps dip under:
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40°F (modern systems)
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45°F (older systems)
Below that, they need:
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electric backup heat
or -
secondary heating support
That’s why Tony will never use a heat pump as the primary heat source in northern climates.
*(Reference: Commercial Heat Pump Climate Zone Performance Reference)
4. Operating Cost Comparison — Tony’s Real Numbers
Owners care about heating cost more than anything.
Here’s the reality Tony shows every business:
Monthly Heating Cost Estimate (4,000 sq ft building)
Heat Pump
➤ $350–$750/month
(cheapest if winters are mild)
Natural Gas
➤ $450–$950/month
(reliable and moderate cost)
Electric Heat Strips
➤ $1,200–$3,000/month
(most expensive by far)
The wrong heating type will drain your budget.
Tony has seen winter bills triple simply because someone chose electric heat in a cold region.
5. Climate Is the #1 Deciding Factor — Not Brand, Not Tonnage
Heating type should never be chosen without evaluating:
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winter nighttime lows
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humidity
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building insulation
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fresh air requirements
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operating schedule
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occupancy
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ceiling height
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building envelope leaks
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door traffic
Where Gas Heat Wins
✔ Midwest
✔ Northeast
✔ Mountain states
✔ Northern plains
✔ Anywhere below freezing
Where Heat Pumps Win
✔ Southeast
✔ Mid-Atlantic
✔ Southwest
✔ California
✔ Coastal regions
Where Electric Heat Is Acceptable
✔ Florida
✔ Southern California
✔ Southern Texas
✔ Gulf coastal states
Tony never sizes heating by “rule of thumb.”
Climate and building behavior decide everything.
*(Reference: Commercial HVAC Climate Zone Selection & Building Load Reference)
6. Ductwork & Airflow Requirements Change by Heating Type
Most heating complaints Tony fixes are caused by duct issues — not the heater itself.
Gas Heat Requires:
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proper temperature rise
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strong return airflow
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insulated sheet metal
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correct curb dimensions
Electric Heat Requires:
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high blower CFM
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heavy-gauge electric supply
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large breakers
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proper airflow across coils
Heat Pumps Require:
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tight ducts
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low static pressure
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quality economizer setup
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smart thermostat staging
Commercial heating performance lives or dies by airflow.
7. Real Job-Site Examples from Tony
These are real systems Tony has installed:
Restaurant — Michigan
→ 10-ton gas heat
Reason: Freezing winters + door traffic + heavy ventilation.
Office — North Carolina
→ 8-ton heat pump
Reason: Mild winters + long daily run time.
Medical Suite — Florida
→ 7.5-ton electric heat strip
Reason: Almost no winter load.
Retail Store — Kansas City
→ 10-ton gas heat + economizer
Reason: Mixed climate + large open floor.
Tony never chooses heating type based on what’s cheapest upfront — only what keeps the building comfortable for the least money long-term.
Tony’s Final Heating Verdict
✔ Gas Heat
Best for cold climates and large commercial heating demands.
✔ Electric Heat
Use only in warm climates or for backup purposes.
✔ Heat Pump
Unbeatable efficiency in mild-to-moderate climates.
Choose your heating type based on climate, building load, ventilation, and operating cost, not guesswork or the lowest bid.
That’s how Tony prevents comfort calls, high bills, and premature system failures.
A commercial installation guide is provided in the next blog.
