Instead of trying to get tricky -- of which the NEMA crews engineer OUT any such possibilities -- the normal lowest cost, quickest solution is to just run extra conductors.
Out my way HVAC units/ condensers are typically situated less than a dozen feet from the MAINS panel -- on the 'utility' side of the home.
So there is absolutely no point in trying to get tricky. A short run for a GFCI -- trivially short -- is more than sufficient for the Code.
Then the HVAC is run, regular way.
I've never seen a home with the MAINS panel criss-crossed from the HVAC pads... never.
I'll admit, California weather and EUSERC standards make my situation different from many areas of the country.
As for commercial work -- new work -- EVERY contract I've seen in the last fifteen years requires a GFCI at virtually every single RTU/ HVAC condenser -- regardless of the Code.
I will admit that until the Code changed, all of the older work omitted any service power for the HVAC contractors -- who ended up chaining extension cords dang near forever.
