When the weather takes a turn for high heat or bitter cold, there isn’t much you can do about it. But it’s nice to at least have some control over the climate inside.
A lot of people turn to central air for help, but that’s a major investment—and it means dealing with ductwork, which raises installation costs all the more.
Fortunately, there’s a much simpler solution: PTAC units.
PTACs are packaged terminal air conditioners. If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel or motel, you’ve almost certainly come into contact with one. They’re typically used throughout the hospitality industry or in homes, dormitories, apartment buildings, and other housing without central air-conditioning.
But how do they actually work?
How PTACs 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. However, with a metal shield also installed, they can be built directly into a wall. Either way, they should be installed in rooms that can be closed off from the rest of the building, as they aren’t designed for heating or cooling large areas.
Since PTAC units are self-contained, there’s no need for any drain piping. How can that be?
Well, a handy condenser fan directs all condensate water pulled from the air to the surface of the condenser coil. The condensate water then evaporates. It’s convenient, effective, and reduces installation costs by a broad margin.
Why PTACs Are Such a Popular Choice
PTACs provide energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions without the need for ductwork. Because they’re completely ductless, they make installation much simpler than it would be with central air, greatly reducing your costs up front.
Homeowners and business owners alike love PTACs for the space they save as well as their powerful climate control. They’re also popular for their convenience and energy-efficiency—heating or cooling a single room at a time rather than wasting energy throughout an entire building.
For example, hotel guests can use them to set their ideal temperature in their own room without affecting anyone else’s environment.
Whether you’re renovating a home, replacing an existing AC unit, outfitting a guest room for family and friends, or managing a hotel or other business, PTACs are the perfect way to provide any space with lasting, energy-efficient, user-friendly comfort.
Plus, most PTACs have heating options as well, so you won’t have to buy a separate heater when winter rolls around.
A New Level of Energy Efficiency
Some newer PTAC systems even come equipped with what’s known as a desiccant wheel. Those do two things:
- improve energy efficiency and
- promote better indoor air quality.
Needless to say, both of those are a major plus.
When these newer PTAC systems have been tested against traditional systems (with weather conditions factored in), they’ve been shown to produce cost savings of up to 35%. Desiccant wheels also reduce thermal cooling power by as much as 52%.
Such systems are likely to cost more up front, but users get a return on their investment within approximately 5 years.
Whether or not you get your hands on a system with a desiccant wheel, the basics of PTACs remain the same. They’re the perfect solution for convenient, energy-efficient, user-friendly climate control.
How about a little help finding exactly what you need?
If you’d like a little expert advice on picking the right PTACs for your property, give us a call at (888) 458-7822.
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