What is the difference between HVAC and PTAC?

PTAC units are completely self-contained appliances. This means they do not need ducts or separate units (condenser and compressor) in order to operate. They are a good option for heating or cooling a single room rather than investing in a large, central air system (HVAC) to service an entire home or building.

How does a PTAC work?

PTACs are a type of self-contained heating and air-conditioning system. They use electricity to push a refrigerant through the unit and take heat and humidity out through a vent. Typically, they’re set inside a window or close to a concrete wall.

Why do hotels use PTAC units?

Many hotels rely on a Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (or PTAC) system to reliably provide both heating and cooling for individual rooms as well as other areas of the hotel; such as the lobby, meeting rooms and gyms.

Are PTAC units electric?

Electric heat is standard on PTAC units, but some units are available with built-in heat pumps. Heat pumps are an additional upfront cost but are as much as 60% more energy efficient than electric heat. Electric heat is more powerful, however, and more reliable in cold winters.

How do PTAC units heat?

All PTAC units have resistive electric heat. That involves wires that get hot and a fan that blows air across them — like a blow dryer. Many PTACs use only resistive electric heat, but some also have a reverse cycle heat pump. A heat pump works similarly to a window unit air conditioner, except in reverse.

How is a PTAC installed?

PTAC units are installed through a hole in the wall. Often you will need a professional to help install the unit, sleeve, and grille. PTAC units cannot be installed without a sleeve because a wall is not strong enough to support the weight of the unit.

Is a PTAC a heat pump?

Essentially, a PTAC unit is a self-contained heat pump version of your central air conditioning system. It includes a heat pump, evaporator coils and air handler, all packaged together in a handsome steel cabinet.

Do PTAC units bring in fresh air?

Normal operation of a PTAC unit is to draw cool, fresh air into the outdoor side of the unit which gets pushed through the condensing coil. The refrigerant in the condensing coil transfers its heat to the air passing through it, turning the refrigerant back into a liquid state.

How long does a PTAC unit last?

A recent industry survey revealed that with proper care, PTAC units could last up \ to ten years, but advancements in energy efficiency and smart technology may entice consumers to replace them every 5-7 years. The benefits of a fully functional PTAC system cannot be understated.

Do PTAC units need freon?

PTAC units are more widely known as window units. If the PTAC unit is not cooling the room, you may need to charge it with more refrigerant. This refrigerant is what allows the air to cool inside the unit.

Do PTAC units have thermostats?

One advantage of PTACs is that they have built-in thermostats with digital controls that let you set the temperature as you wish. … Some units offer a wireless mounted wall thermostat, which can be a big help if running wires through a wall could be a problem.

What is the difference between PTAC and mini split?

A mini split uses two smaller units, installed indoors and outdoors, while a PTAC is a bulky packaged unit that is more difficult to handle. Mini-splits are also more adaptable, since you can install the indoor unit in any wall, and there is no need to match the position of the outdoor unit.

What size PTAC do I need?

Estimate the right BTU for your PTAC by multiplying the square footage of the room your unit will be located in times 30 (ex: 300 sq.
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2. Select the right size.
Room Area in Square Feet PTAC BTU Needed
250-300 sq. ft. 7500-9000 BTU
300-350 sq. ft. 9000-10,500 BTU
350-400 sq. ft. 10,500-12,000 BTU
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Apr 25, 2019

Do PTAC units have heat strips?

PTACs with a Heat Strip

The majority of PTACs are manufactured with an electric heating element called a heat strip. The heat strip is a wire heating element inside the PTAC that warms the air as it passes over the coils. This is very similar to what you would find in space heater.

How do you add refrigerant to PTAC?

What is the biggest PTAC unit?

If you are in need of an extra-large PTAC unit, Total Home Supply carries two with 17,000 BTU capacity.
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How to Choose the Right Size PTAC Unit.
7,000 BTU 200-300 sq ft
9,000 BTU 300-400 sq ft
12,000 BTU 400-550 sq ft
15,000 BTU 500-675 sq ft
Oct 25, 2017

How many BTU do I need for 400 square feet?

How to Calculate Size
Air Conditioning Sizing Chart:
300 to 350 sq ft 8,000 BTUs
350 to 400 sq ft 9,000 BTUs
400 to 450 sq ft 10,000 BTUs
450 to 550 sq ft 12,000 BTUs

How much does a PTAC unit cost?

How Much Does a PTAC Unit Cost? Like any other air conditioning systems, the costs of PTAC depends on several factors: brand or manufacturer, size of the unit, energy-efficiency, built-in technologies, and features and capabilities. On the average though, PTAC systems are priced between $600.00 to $1300.00.