What You Need To Know When Shopping For A PTAC Unit

Once the temperature starts to rise, your house can become uncomfortable if you don’t have a dependable cooling system.

Photo by Álvaro Bernal on Unsplash

With a packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) appliance, it’s the ideal option regardless of where you live.  

PTACs are a type of ductless cooling and heating unit. Due to its flexibility and convenience, you can find it in hotels and motels. It allows guests to control the environment in their room without triggering any effect on the rest of the building. 

A PTAC works well in eliminating hot spots without straining the central AC. Most models have digital display controls that allow you to adjust the temperature and access convenient features readily. These units are not an option to cool or heat more than two rooms at a time. A PTAC unit is simple to install, easy to maintain, and can operate for up to 10 years or even longer to ensure that your home has a comfortable environment. 

What Are The Types Of PTACs? 

• Heat pumps: You can go for this option if you’re using your PTAC as an air conditioner and will not depend on it for heating purposes.  
• Electric heaters: The electric heat PTAC units are a better choice if you’re going to use them as a heating device during the winter season and as an AC in the warmer months.  

Depending on your specific needs, choosing the right heat type for your PTAC requires several considerations. 

Factors To Consider When Shopping For A PTAC Unit For Your House

Choosing the ideal PTAC unit for your space is vital to ensure the right comfort while also helping conserve energy. There are several considerations when shopping for your PTAC model. These include the following:

1. EER And SEER Ratings 

EER (energy efficiency ratings) and the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratings) measure the energy efficiency of a PTAC unit. If the rating is high, the model is energy efficient. When checking a PTAC unit, make sure it has a good EER. Although the grade is steady throughout different models, it’s not possible to interchange since every grade has its testing process.

2. Cost 

If you’re looking for an energy-saving alternative to keep your space comfortable, a PTAC unit is the ideal choice. Since a PTAC unit offers both heating and cooling, it can help save on your utility bills in the long run.  

But in case you’re going to use the cool function most of the time, it might be best to invest in a window air conditioner. A PTAC unit generally costs more and requires an external sleeve and grille, which is a separate purchase.

The wall sleeves are responsible for holding the unit in place. As for the grilles, they vary by aesthetics, and you can choose one depending on your preferences. In case you are going to replace a worn-out appliance, you can still use the current sleeve and grille that you have.  

3. Two-Fan System

A PTAC unit can have either one or two fans. A two-fan system is a quieter model with one fan on the side where the condenser is and another one on the evaporator side.

Selecting the ideal fan system is a reliable way to ensure that you will get a quiet system since many known brands all have similar levels of noise.  

4. Plug Types 

If you are adding a new PTAC unit in a room, you should carefully consider the suitable plug type. There are three various options for amperage when choosing a PTAC unit: 15-amp, 20-amp and 30-amp. You can plug your PTAC unit or hard-wire it within the building. If you’re looking for the ideal site to fit the PTAC unit, check if the plug type correctly correlates with the outlet you’re going to use.  

5. Remote Thermostats 

Remote thermostats offer better convenience by allowing you to customize your space. In case the room is under construction, you can have the thermostat wiring arranged before the walls are enclosed.  

6. Drain Kits 

Drain kits include the drain fittings, spouts, and gaskets that link to the bottom tray of the PTAC unit. Although not mandatory, drain kits are useful in averting surplus condensation from leaking onto the ground. The majority of the condensate returns to the coil to improve the level of efficiency, but some will often spill out via the external grille on the rear part of the appliance.

Final Thoughts

Once you decide to add a PTAC unit in your house, finding the right one that fits your needs is a priority. With the help of these tips when buying a PTAC unit, you will find the ideal PTAC unit that can provide the best comfort while staying energy efficient at the same time.