What Does a 20kW Heat Kit Add to Your AC System? Heating Options Expla

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🏢 Introduction: Cooling + Heating in One Package

When most people think about a 10 ton commercial AC system, they picture one thing: cooling. After all, keeping customers and employees comfortable in the summer is one of the biggest energy demands for small to mid-sized businesses.

But here’s something a lot of folks don’t realize—your commercial AC can also provide heating when you add a heat kit.

That means:

No need for a separate furnace in some climates.
Backup heating in colder regions.
Year-round comfort from a single, integrated system.

In particular, many 10 ton systems—like the Daikin Light Commercial 10 Ton Multi-Positional Split System—offer an optional 20kW heat kit. So what does that mean in practical terms? Let’s break it down.

🔌 What Is a Heat Kit?

A heat kit is an electric resistance heating element installed inside the system’s air handler. Think of it like a giant version of the heating coil in your toaster, but controlled by your building’s thermostat and ducted through your commercial HVAC system.

Here’s how it works:

Electricity flows through the heating coils.
The coils heat up quickly.
The system’s blower pushes air across the coils.
That heated air circulates through your ductwork to warm the space.

It’s a simple, proven technology with no moving parts beyond the blower fan.

📖 Learn more from Energy.gov’s guide to electric resistance heating .

⚡ Why a 20kW Heat Kit?

So what does “20kW” actually mean?

20 kilowatts = 20,000 watts.
Each watt equals 3.41 BTUs of heat.
That means 20kW = ~68,000 BTUs of heating capacity.

For reference:

A typical gas furnace in a home is around 60,000–100,000 BTUs.
A 20kW kit provides similar output, but entirely from electricity.

In the context of a 10 ton (120,000 BTU cooling) system, a 20kW heat kit offers about half the cooling capacity in heating mode—which is usually plenty for light commercial spaces in mild climates.

📖 ASHRAE heating standards provide context for calculating heating loads (ASHRAE Guidelines ).

🔥 How Does It Work in Real-World Conditions?

One of the things I like most about electric heat kits is their simplicity in operation.

Instant heat: Unlike gas furnaces or boilers that need a warm-up period, electric coils heat up immediately.
Thermostat-controlled: The same wall thermostat that controls cooling also switches on the heat kit in winter.
Flexible: Works seamlessly with the AC system’s blower, ducts, and air distribution.

Here’s a practical example:

I helped oversee HVAC for a 3,200 sq. ft. community center in a southern U.S. state. Winters rarely dipped below freezing, but the building still needed heating for comfort in December through February. Instead of installing a separate furnace, the contractor added a 20kW heat kit to the new 10 ton Daikin system.

The result? Reliable heat all winter, no extra gas line, no additional equipment footprint, and lower upfront cost.

🏭 Comparing Heating Options for Commercial Buildings

So how does a 20kW heat kit stack up against other common heating choices?

1. 🔌 Electric Heat Kit (Resistance Heating)

Pros:
- Simple design, low upfront cost.
- Fast installation—fits directly in the air handler.
- No gas lines, flues, or venting required.
Cons:
- High energy consumption in cold climates.
- Not efficient where electricity costs are high.
Best for: Mild climates, backup heating, small to mid-sized buildings.

2. 🔥 Gas Furnace Add-On

Pros:
- Lower operating costs in areas with cheap natural gas.
- Strong heating output for cold climates.
Cons:
- Requires gas lines and venting.
- Higher upfront installation cost and space needs.
Best for: Northern U.S. regions with long, cold winters.

3. ♻️ Heat Pump System

Pros:
- Most energy-efficient option.
- Provides both heating and cooling in one system.
- Lower operating costs in most regions.
Cons:
- Not always available at large 10 ton capacities.
- Performance can drop in sub-freezing climates without backup heat.
Best for: Businesses wanting year-round efficiency, especially in moderate climates.

📖 See HVAC.com’s overview of commercial heating options .

💰 Cost & Efficiency Considerations

When deciding on a heat kit, cost is always top of mind. Here’s what to expect:

Equipment cost (20kW kit): $400–$900.
Installation cost: $500–$1,500 (varies by system and electrical upgrades needed).
Operating cost:
- At $0.13/kWh (national average), a 20kW kit running 1 hour = $2.60.
- In a mild climate needing 300 heating hours/year = ~$780 annually.
- Compare that to natural gas, which may be cheaper per BTU depending on region.

So while electricity can be pricier per unit of heat, the lower upfront cost and simplicity often balance things out in light commercial use.

📖 Check Modernize HVAC heating costs for up-to-date comparisons.

✅ Benefits of Adding a 20kW Heat Kit

From my perspective, here are the biggest advantages of including a 20kW heat kit in your 10 ton AC system:

Year-Round Comfort – No need for a separate heating system in moderate climates.
Backup Heating – In cold climates, it serves as emergency or supplemental heat if your primary heating fails.
Space-Saving – One system, one air handler, less mechanical room space needed.
Lower Upfront Cost – Much cheaper to install than adding a full furnace.
Simple Maintenance – Few moving parts, just regular inspections for wiring and connections.
Quick Installation – Often added during initial setup with minimal labor.

⚠️ When It May Not Be Enough

That said, a 20kW heat kit isn’t a perfect solution for every building. Here’s when it may fall short:

Cold climates (Northern U.S./Canada): Electricity costs can skyrocket when used for continuous winter heating.
Large buildings (5,000+ sq. ft.): May not have enough BTU output to maintain comfortable temps.
High utility cost areas: If local electric rates are high, gas may be more economical long-term.

In these cases, I recommend:

Dual-fuel systems (heat pump + gas furnace).
Dedicated commercial furnaces for heavy winter heating.

📖 The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has resources comparing heating system economics.

🧾 Maintenance Needs

One thing I always stress—don’t forget maintenance. Even though heat kits are simple, they’re still electrical components carrying heavy loads.

Checklist for facility managers:

Inspect electrical wiring annually.
Ensure proper airflow across the coils.
Replace system filters quarterly.
Have a licensed contractor check heating elements and relays each fall.

📖 See ACHR News: Commercial HVAC Maintenance for detailed guides.

✅ Conclusion: Is a 20kW Heat Kit Right for You?

Here’s the bottom line:

If your business is in a mild to moderate climate, a 20kW heat kit added to your 10 ton AC system can be the only heating system you need.
If you’re in a cold climate, the kit works best as backup heat or supplemental heating to another system.
Either way, it provides simplicity, reliability, and flexibility—qualities I value as a facilities manager.

So when you’re reviewing options for your next HVAC purchase, don’t just ask about cooling capacity. Make sure you also ask: “Does this system include a heat kit, and how many kilowatts?”

That number—20kW in this case—could mean the difference between needing two systems or one.

Tags: Mark callahan

WRITTEN BY

Mark Callahan

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