For most Tucson-basin houses, a package heat pump is the sensible default over a gas pack. Winter heating duty is mild, and the same unit cools through the long summer. A gas pack makes sense mainly when gas is already piped to the roof and you want furnace-style heat. Climate Pros Tucson matches you with licensed pros who install both.
What is the difference?
A package unit holds the cooling and heating parts in one cabinet. A heat pump package heats with the same refrigerant cycle that cools. A gas pack pairs an AC with a gas burner. Both connect to your ducts and sit in one spot, often on a flat roof.
| Package heat pump | Gas pack | |
|---|---|---|
| Heating source | Electricity, refrigerant cycle | Natural gas burner |
| Needs gas line | No | Yes |
| Utility | TEP or Trico (electric) | Southwest Gas plus electric |
| Winter fit in the basin | Mild duty suits it | Works, adds a gas line |
Why does a heat pump suit Tucson?
The airport sees about 2.6 cooling degree days for every heating degree day, a 35F winter design temperature and fewer than 12 freezing nights a year. In Mount Lemmon’s Summerhaven, backup heat is a question for the pro. In the basin the heat pump does both jobs.
What about gas?
Southwest Gas is the area’s natural gas utility. Its 2026 Arizona residential rebate application lists only showerheads, clothes washers and windows, with no furnace or HVAC rebate. Statewide, 55% of Arizona homes used a central furnace as main heat in the EIA’s 2020 survey, but that says nothing about your roof.
What does a rooftop unit swap involve?
A rooftop swap may need a crane to lift the old unit off and the new one on, and the pro should check the roof curb and roof condition. Permits are required in the City of Tucson, with load and sizing calculations, and the contractor pulls the permit. Ask who handles the lift and any roof flashing.
Is a rebate available?
TEP lists up to $720 for a heat pump quality installation, as listed in October 2026, through a participating contractor. TEP’s listing doesn’t say whether package heat pumps qualify, so ask the contractor and TEP. Arizona HEAR no longer pays to replace gas appliances with electric ones. See TEP rebates.
Where can you read more?
See AC installation, the heat pump service page, and split system vs rooftop package unit. The Tucson HVAC hub lists coverage.
Getting both options quoted
Ask the pro to quote both options in writing so you can compare them line by line. Call (520) 353-2520 and we’ll match you with a licensed local pro.