Everything You Need To Know Before Selecting the Best PTAC For You

Whenever faced with the brisk winters or the boiling heat of the summer, you will most definitely need a reliable air conditioning system. A packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) is a more than suitable option for you if you are looking to control the temperature of a singular room or confined area instead of the whole building. This saves time and resources making them one of the most used air conditioning systems for commercial buildings. Continue reading to discover what PTACs are, how they function and what you should be looking for.

What is a PTAC and why should you consider one?

A packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) is powered by either a heat pump or by electric heat instead of a refrigerant line like other types or air conditioners like ductless mini heat pumps. Apart from being easier to install than other systems, they are also cheaper to install as well making them ideal for anyone looking for lower upfront costs. They are also energy efficient which is why they are the prime choice for commercial buildings such as hospitals, schools, hotel rooms and stores. These machines are relatively quiet and are perfectly suited to cooling selected indoor areas instead of the whole building which saves energy and your eventual bill.

Cost

The first thing to consider while purchasing a new air conditioning system is the price of the system. Typically, the price of the system depends on the power of the PTAC and the area of space that it is designed to cater for. A PTAC unit typically starts from $700 and goes up from there to around $1000 for a larger, more powerful system. Since the installation costs are reduced for PTACs, you can get a larger system which would come handy in case you ever move to a larger location and don’t want to go through the rounds of buying a new air conditioner again.

Power and Size          

PTACs typically start from around 5000-7000 BTU and go all the way up to 15000 BTU from there. It is not too difficult to decide the power you need based on the size of the area you are planning to use it. A smaller 100-300 sq. ft area such as a home office requires a PTAC powered in the range of 5,000-6,500 BTU. A slightly larger area like a bedroom would be easily covered by 7,000-8,500 BTU. However, if you are trying to condition an area larger that like a living room that is above 300 sq ft. you will need a PTAC  powered between 10,000-14,000 BTU. The size of the device may also be a point to consider as larger PTACs may take up wall space that you may have originally planned to use in another way.

Function

A PTAC operates using one of two mechanisms, either by using a heat pump or by using electric heat. Where you live and how you use your air conditioner will impact your choice of PTAC. A heat pump PTAC is the better option if you live in a warmer area and intend to use your air conditioner for cooling. They provide more efficient and quicker cooling than PTACs that use electric heat. However, they are more expensive up front and are less powerful heating systems in the event that you need to use it for heating. If you live in an area where you get all four seasons and you intend to use your AC for cooling in the summers and heating in the winters, then what you are looking for is a PTAC that uses an electric heat mechanism. The advantages to them over heat pump PTACs, is that they are less expensive to install, however, they are more expensive in the long run in regards to your electricity bill.

Reliability

An air conditioner is a machine that you will be using a lot given the fact that its going to be used for most of the day at some times in the year which means that you need it to be both reliable and durable. The best thing to do in this regard is to purchase an air conditioner from a company that delivers high quality products that wont, in any case, shut down on a warm, pavement melting summer day. ProServices Supply is an HVAC equipment supplier that delivers durable products with very quick delivery. They can easily be recommended as they have an amazing MRO team to maintain and repair PTAC. Check out their selection of PTACs here.