PTAC Units

During the hot summer months, reliable commercial AC units are essential in office buildings, assisted living complexes, hospitals, classrooms, hotels, and other facilities. Even in buildings with central heating and air conditioning, supplemental cooling may be necessary in frequently used or hard-to-cool rooms. Depending upon the application, having individual temperature control in a specific room can be more economical and energy efficient than trying to keep an entire building at a comfortable temperature.

That's where PTAC units come in. They can be used as a primary or supplemental source of cooling—and heating—in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.

What Does PTAC Stand For?

PTAC stands for Packaged Thermal Air Conditioner. It's a self-contained heating and cooling solution that is installed through an exterior wall. This allows for venting directly outside without the need for ductwork. Though not ideal for heating or cooling large areas, industrial and commercial PTAC units work great in small spaces like hotel rooms, offices, and hospital rooms.

How Does a PTAC Unit Work?

Most PTAC models have both heating and cooling capabilities.

• Cooling: A PTAC cools by using the refrigeration cycle to remove heat from the room and transfer it outside.
• Heating: A PTAC heat pump heats by running the refrigeration cycle in reverse, efficiently transferring heat from outside to the indoor conditioned space. A PTAC with electric resistance heat uses electric heating elements to warm the air in the room.

Heat pumps are usually a little more expensive upfront, but they are more economical to operate over the long term and are a good choice if your PTAC will be used mostly as an air conditioner in warmer climate regions.

The Advantages of PTAC Units

When it comes to cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and ease of use, PTAC units offer several advantages over other commercial HVAC systems in certain applications:

• They do not require ductwork, making them easy to install, use, and maintain.
• Because ducts account for a lot of energy loss, PTAC units are exceptionally energy efficient.
• Instead of cooling or heating a large empty building with the central HVAC, you can condition only the areas where people are working.
• Each unit gives the user individual control over the temperature in the room, which is ideal for dormitories, hotels, and hospitals where each resident may have different temperature preferences.
• With proper maintenance, a PTAC can last for 10 years. This should include monthly filter cleaning and an annual professional maintenance visit.

The Disadvantages of PTAC Units

The primary disadvantage is that PTAC units take up space and may interfere with the aesthetic of the room. They must be installed through an exterior wall, so that could limit your options for placement. The unit requires a few inches of clearance to make sure nothing blocks the intake or discharge vents.

Fortunately, manufacturers understand that drawback, and they make PTACs in a variety of sleek models, sizes, and colors to help you choose a unit that best aligns with the decor of the room—if that's important to you. For many facilities, this minor disadvantage is not a determining factor when it comes to choosing a cooling system.

In certain high-end hospitality, office, or residential applications, where every aesthetic detail matters, the PTAC might not be the best choice for temperature control.

How to Find the Best PTAC Units for You

The best PTAC units are engineered by the industry's leading manufacturers, with thoughtful features like washable filters, various color options, remote thermostat capabilities, multiple fan speeds, and more. These companies understand the importance of energy efficiency, affordability, easy maintenance, and cooling capacity ranges, and they design specific models to meet those needs in diverse and demanding applications. Choosing the right one for your commercial or industrial facility comes down to a few considerations:

Intended Use

Ask yourself how often you intend to use the cooling and heating capabilities based on your climate region and interior temperature needs:

• If your PTAC will only be used as an air conditioner, consider a cooling only PTAC model. These models aren't very common, because most applications recognize a need for at least occasional heat.
• If you need occasional heat on a few chilly days throughout the year, you might choose a PTAC with a heat pump or a heat pump model with electric back-up. The electric heat can kick in if the temperature drops lower than the heat pump can handle.
• For facilities in regions that experience both hot and cold weather, a model with electric heat will be your most efficient, economical choice.

Room Size

PTAC units are available in BTUH ranging from 6,500 to nearly 17,000. The bigger the room, the more people inside, and the greater the temperature difference you're trying to make, the more cooling power you'll need.

Decibel Level

PTACs are engineered to be quieter than ever, but certain models may be louder than others. If you're looking to install a PTAC unit in an office or classroom where noise levels are especially important, you will want to consider the decibel level.

Features

From LED displays to programmable thermostats, fan speed selections, automatic emergency heat, and more, you can find a PTAC with all the features and details that suit your commercial application.

Warranties

Many manufacturers offer comprehensive warranties on parts and labor. This gives you added peace of mind for your investment.

Energy Efficiency

Units with a high energy efficiency ratio (EER) may help you qualify for rebates and other incentives for environmentally-friendly solutions. Of course, that energy efficiency also helps you save on operational costs.

Cost

The upfront investment is one consideration, but you should also think about the utility costs in your area to factor in the long-term operational costs. This is why choosing the appropriate model (heat pump, electric heat, or cooling only) is important based on your climate region.

If you need a large number of PTAC units for your hotel, office building, or another facility with a lot of rooms, you may qualify for special pricing on a bulk order. NorthStock offers competitive pricing on PTAC units, and volume discounts are available. Please contact us for a quote

NorthStock carries a wide variety of PTAC units from top manufacturers. Browse our selection or search by part number. We ship every order fast and free to the lower 48 states.

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