The RoomAire Blog

PTAC or PTHP? Breaking Down the Differences

2012-02-12T16:32:00.010-05:00

The Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner known in the industry as simply PTAC is the most common type of through the wall heating and air conditioner system used in hotel guest rooms. The choices are clear. PTACs are completely self contained with no refrigerant line or outdoor compressor required. They are individually controlled by the guest with limits set by the hotel staff to conserve energy. The PTAC is the most affordable year round heating and cooling system you can find in the HVAC industry. The premium version of a PTAC is known as the Packaged Terminal Heat Pump or PTHP. A PTHP works just as a PTAC does however it has a built in "Heat Pump". Heat pumps as many know are served better in warmer climates where the outside temperature does not dip below freezing. A Heat Pump is very energy efficient because it reduces the cost of running electric heat however Heat Pumps in general do not perform well in colder climates because it needs a certain amount of warm outside air to efficiently heat the room. What makes the PTHP so special is that unlike conventional heat pumps these models have a built in electric resistance heater which automatically kicks in when the heat pump can no longer do the job. So whether the outside temperature is 45 degrees or 5 degrees the PTHP is always on the job. The cost difference between a PTAC and PTHP is minimal (about $50-$75) but certainly a smart choice when you consider the cost saving benefit.

http://www.roomaire.com/ptairco.html

For more details about our PTAC and PTHP line of products please contact your RoomAire.com representative by calling 1-800-891-4729 or email sales@roomaire.com.

Sizing is Crucial When It Comes To AC's

2012-02-12T08:22:00.011-05:00

So how do you choose the "right" size air conditioner for your project? That is the million dollar question. My staff and I at RoomAire get asked that question on a daily basis. The answer is always the same. We can't answer that unless we know more about your specific project.

Let's say you and your neighbor are both building a new 500 square foot sunroom in your home for instance which measures 500 square feet. Your sunroom will have wall to wall glass with a 15 foot cathedral ceiling. Your neighbor on the other hand is also building a 500 square foot sun room but they decided to keep the cost down and not to do wall to wall glass and keep the ceiling height at a standard size of 8 feet. If this is the case do you think the same BTU capacity will work for both you and your neighbor? Of course not. When sizing the correct BTU capacity, you must take "everything" into consideration. That includes not only the square footage but how many windows will there be in this room?, How large are the windows?, What type of insulation are you using? What is the ceiling height?, What region are you located in? , What is the year round average temperature? etc. I am amazed how many people call us and are told that the salesman from the retail store or another website just needed to know the square footage of the room so that they could recommend the best air conditioner to suit their needs.

Many people buy an air conditioner that is too large, thinking it will provide better cooling. However, an oversized air conditioner is actually less effective — and wastes energy at the same time. Air conditioners remove both heat and humidity from the air. If the unit is too large, it will cool the room quickly, but only remove some of the humidity. This leaves the room with a damp, clammy feeling. A properly sized unit will remove humidity effectively as it cools.

So remember the key to selecting the correct size air conditioner is information. The more information you provide about your specific project the more likely you will purchase the "right' size.

For more information please contact your RoomAire sales representative directly at 1-800-891-4729 or email sales@roomaire.com

Extending Your Manufacturer AC Warranty Makes "Cents"

2011-08-29T16:58:00.006-04:00

Even the best products can eventually malfunction and minor repairs can cost hundreds of dollars. By purchasing a RepairMaster Service Plan, you won't have to hassle with unexpected repair bills. With more than 27 years of experience and leadership in the warranty industry, Warrantech's unique RepairMaster Service Plans are an economical way to extend the term of a product manufacturer's parts and labor warranty. The process is very simple. Once you purchase your extended warranty from RoomAire.com our adminstrator will mail you a registration number. You simply log on to the myrepairmaster.com portal and enter your product model and serial number. That's it!

RoomAire.com now offers you the option to extend the manufacturer's standard warranty on every room air conditioner you purchase for as little as $49 for 2 year parts and labor in home coverage. For only $99 we will cover your AC for 3 years from date of purchase. Our 5 year plan cost is only $149, If you do the math that works out to just $30 per year or $2.50 per month to have the peace of mind that you will not be stuck paying hundred of dollars for costly repairs after the manufacturer warranty expires. Now that makes alot of "cents". Please note this plan is only available to residential (non- rental) customers. We do offer a commercial plan as well on request.

Already purchased a Room Air Conditioner from RoomAire.com? No Problem. As long as your purchase was within the last 90 days you still have the opportunity to extend your warranty. Give your RoomAire rep a call at 1-(800) 891-4729 or log on http://www.roomaire.com/extwarranty.html

Frigidaire Joins The PTAC Marketplace

2011-06-23T17:26:00.010-04:00

Frigidaire has been the brand you have come to know and trust. And for good reason. Year after year, Frigidaire has been the most reliable brand among leading appliance brands with the lowest number of service calls. Known mostly for their home appliance line including refrigerators, stoves, ovens and washer and dryers, Frigidaire has also been a player in the window and through the wall room air conditioner marketplace. However the specialty air conditioner market is new for Frigidaire and with their first line of Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Heat Pumps (PTHP) they now look like a serious contender for the commercial marketplace. With 28 different PTAC models to choose from ranging in 4 BTU sizes from 7000 to 15000 in heat strip or heat pump and seacoast protection options Frigidaire looks like they have what it takes to compete in this competitive marketplace.

For more information and pricing on the complete line of Frigidaire PTACs please contact Brad Schneider National Sales Manager at RoomAire sales group at 1-800-891-4729 or on-line at www.roomaire.com

General Electric, Sharp Recalls GE Zoneline Packaged Terminal Air Conditioning and Heating Units (PTACs) Due to Fire Hazard

2011-06-15T12:25:00.006-04:00

There has been much discussion over the past 2 months regarding the General Electric Zoneline Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner PTAC. GE has not been shipping their GE Zoneline product line which consists of both the AZ41 heat strip and AZ61 heat pump series. We finally learned today the reason for this sudden halt in shipping their GE Zonelines. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Office of Information and Public Affairs, General Electric and the product manufacturer, Sharp Corp of Osaka Japan are recalling 90,600 GE Zoneline PTACs. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission an electrical component in the heating system can fail posing a fire hazard to consumers. General Electric and Sharp have received four reports of incidents involving smoke and/or fire with the air conditioning and heating units. No injuries have been reported. The report goes on to say that the recall involves PTACs and Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHP's) manufactured between January 2010 and March 2011. Any model which starts with AZ41 or AZ61 with serial numbers beginning with AT, DT, FT, HT, LT, MT, RT, ST, TT, VT, AV, DV and FV are included in the recall. According to the report consumers should immediately stop using these models in the heat mode and contact General Electric to schedule a free repair. More information can be found at www.geappliances.com/products/recall

For consumers or commercial customers such as hotels, assisted living facilities or other commercial facilities who need to order the popular 42"x16" Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) or Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHP) there are several alternative models which compare very well with the GE Zoneline. This includes PTACs manufactured by Friedrich, LG, and Islandaire which can be purchased directly from http://www.roomaire.com/.

Friedrich Wallmaster Commercial Grade Air Conditioners Highly Efficient Energy Star Rated Are Ideal For New Construction Projects

2011-05-15T12:25:00.008-04:00

If you are constructing a new commercial or residential apartment building and you are considering what type of through-the-wall air conditioner to use, you may want to take a look at the new 2011 Friedrich Wallmaster series. The Friedrich Wallmaster Through-Wall Air Conditioners come in 9 different models consisting of cool only, cooling with electric heat and cooling with an energy efficient heat pump and backup electric heat. The Friedrich WallMaster can run on 115 Voltage or 230/208 Voltage however the heat/cool models must run on 230/208. Many of these models are even energy star rated so you may even be entilted to rebate from your local utility company. The Friedrich Wallmaster wall sleeve measures 27" wide by 16 3/4" high and has a depth of 16 3/4" inch. This would make for an excellent alternative if you do not have the wall width to install a 42" wide Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner or PTAC. As a matter of fact the WallMasters are known to be called Mini PTACs because of their smaller width. The Friedrich Wallmaster series offers many comfort and convenience features including easy to reach top mount controls, remote control, 24 hour programmable timer, washable antimicrobial filter, auto restart and more.

Visit the Friedrich Wallmaster Web Page at RoomAire.com to learn more about this fine quality product and for price information and special quantity discount offers.

The Friedrich Uni-Fit Easy Replacement Air Conditioner Series Makes Replacing Existing AC's A Breeze!

2011-05-14T16:11:00.011-04:00

Now that spring is in the air and summer is just around the corner there is no time like the present to wipe the dust off your through-wall air conditioner and power it up. If you are like many, this may be the time to think about replacing your older through-wall air conditioner with a new energy efficient unit. The problem you are facing is that you really do not want the hassle of ripping out that old wall sleeve and dealing with mess. Wouldn't it be much easier if you could just replace the air conditioner itself and slide it into the existing wall sleeve? Well now you can. Introducing the Uniiversal Fit air conditioner or otherwise known as the "Uni-Fit" series from Friedrich Air Conditioning Company.

The Friedrich Uni-Fit Series is designed to replace many existing through-wall air conditioners with existing wall sleeve sizes of 24 1/2", 26" and 27". This includes models made by Amana, Carrier 51S and 52F series, Fedders Emerson, Frigidaire, GE, Hotpoint, Whirlpool, White Westinghouse, and several more including Friedrich WallMaster models.

The Friedrich Uni-Fit Series come in 9 different models including in both 115 Voltage and 230/208 Voltage. BTU sizes range from 8000 to 11,500. There are even 3 models that come with electric heat for year round use. All models except for the heat/cool units are Energy Star Qualified which may entitle you to a rebate offer. All models include a remote control and 12 hour programmable timer.

Of course the Friedrich Uni-Fit series can be completely installed as new using the optional USC wall sleeve. The beauty of these units are that the exterior grille mounts flush to the building exterior with nothing protruding on the outside wall.

Visit Friedrich Uni-Fit Room Air Conditioners At RoomAire.com for more details and pricing information. We offer the Friedrich Uni-Fit to both residential and commercial customers.

LG Introduces New Energy Efficient Products

2011-02-08T21:43:00.002-05:00

LG Electronics, a worldwide award-winning HVAC solutions provider, today announced new energy efficient products designed to grow the company's U.S. commercial and residential HVAC business.
LG has been investing in the U.S. HVAC market for over a decade, delivering award-winning heating and cooling products and training industry professionals at LG's Commercial Air Conditioning (CAC) training academies. This week at the International Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration (AHR) Expo in Las Vegas (booth# 3506) LG is introducing valuable additions to its Multi-V and PTAC lines, as well as new high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rated (SEER) models for residential and light commercial applications.
"LG Electronics is one of the world's largest producers of air conditioners, and here in the United States we are building on this global leadership position, continuing to grow the business," said Kevin McNamara, vice president, Commercial Air Conditioning, LG Electronics USA, Inc. "This week we are introducing higher efficiency heating and cooling solutions that blend effortlessly into a wide range of commercial and residential environments."
Energy Efficient Climate Control
Best known for its advanced duct-free systems, LG's commercial air conditioning products provide innovative and energy efficient climate control solutions. Expanding the company's line of energy efficient products, LG is showcasing four new high SEER ART Cool Mirror models. These models range in efficiency from 18.9 SEER to 20 SEER and allow LG to qualify for the Federal Energy Efficiency Tax benefit.
Also on display this week in the LG booth is the company's expanded line of Multi-V commercial systems and Flex Multi residential/light commercial products. For commercial businesses seeking to reduce energy consumption, LG is showcasing its Multi-V system, which offers a cost-efficient solution with Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology to ensure comfort. VRF refers to the system that controls the amount of refrigerant flowing to each evaporator of the indoor unit. Indoor evaporators are available for different capacity, configuration and individualized comfort control.
LG offers Multi-V systems that can provide simultaneous heating and cooling in different zones. With this system, commercial businesses have control of temperature zoning to avoid expending unnecessary energy in unoccupied rooms. Additions to the Multi-V line include LG's Vertical Air Handling unit and Multi-V Water.
The LG ART Cool series of products combines artful air conditioning and climate control for an all-in-one solution that is stylish as well as functional. This week LG is showcasing its latest enhancements to the ART Cool Mirror series with new High SEER ratings and design.
The new ART Cool Mirror Single Split line features a slim rectangular wall-mounted interior evaporator with a one-way air flow system. The duct-free ART Cool Mirror Single Split is enhanced for easier installation; this includes installation support clips that allow for 25 degrees of separation from the wall without detaching the unit. A detachable bottom cover makes installation possible without having to dissemble or support the unit, this also allows for easier access to the unit's electrical wiring. The 2011 models also include a 45 percent wider cavity* for piping, allowing for easier installation. Available in a variety of custom finishes, the ART Cool Mirror Inverter line can be fit to enhance any room's decor.
*Increase measured against conventional inverter units.
LG is also expanding its PTAC line. Enhancing previous models, the 2011 PTAC line includes 7,000 BTU heat/cool and heat pump units with a heater size of 3.5Kw, as well as 15,000 BTU heat/cool and heat pump units with a heater size of 5Kw.

New Friedrich PTAC Design for 2011

2011-02-08T16:53:00.009-05:00

Just returned back from the AHR (Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration) show in Las Vegas. The show featured just about everybody and everything you can imagine in the HVAC business. Stopping by the Friedrich booth we caught a glimpse of their all new completely redesigned PTAC for 2011. This new 2011 edition is impressive. For starters the new cabinet design is real sleek. The EER ratings are now higher than ever before with a rating of 12.0 on their 7000 BTU model with their 12000 BTU model at an impressive 10.7. Even their 15000 BTU model at 9.8 is a substantial increase. Higher EER ratings mean better energy savings for your hotel, facility or home and may even offer special energy rebates from your local utility service. They added a two motor design (one indoor and one outdoor) which greatly reduces sound levels indoors. The new Tamgential blower wheel was added as well. The blower wheel has nearly 5x the surface area of a typical fan used in other PTAC units. This makes for more even air distribution throughout the room with much quieter sound. The new digital control board is really nice. It now has 3 speeds, Low, Medium and High so the guest or homeowner now has more flexibility in choosing the fan speed that best suits their needs. My favorite new feature is the universal heater. We've been asking for that feature for a real long time and they answered the call. The purpose of the universal heater is so that it allows you to change the heat output (i.e from 3kw to 5kw or 2kw to 3kw) simply by changing the power cord. The previous models had the power cord permanently connected so if you needed to change the heater size you needed to change the entire unit. This is a feature GE has had for years in their GE Zoneline PTAC but the difference here is that Friedrich will supply you with the appropriate power cord standard on all models. This has always been an optional accessory on the GE Zoneline. The universal heater will reduce the need for product exchanges and make it real easy for the hotel engineering staff to swap units from room to room without the concern of it matching the plug type as long as they have the proper size cord to connect. For distributors like us we now can focus on just 16 different models instead of 64. Less paperwork all around. www.RoomAire.com is now shipping the all new 2011 Friedrich PTAC and Friedrich PTAC Heat Pump models. Call 1 800-891-4729 for pricing, promotions and more details.

What is a PTAC?

2011-01-02T22:40:00.005-05:00

We get alot of people asking us what exactly is a "PTAC" which actually stands for Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner. It can also be called "PTHP" which stands for Packaged Terminal Heat Pump. Here is the best definition of a PTAC....

A packaged terminal air conditioner (often abbreviated PTAC) is a type of self-contained heating and air conditioning system commonly found in hotels and apartment buildings. Many are designed to go through a wall, having vents and heat sinks both inside and outside. Different standard dimensions are found in the market including 42×16 inches (1067 x 406 mm), 36x15 inches, and 40x15 inches.Although PTACs are used mostly to heat or cool a single living space using only electricity (with resistive and/or heat pump heating), you can find cooling only PTACS with external heating through a hydronic heating coil or natural gasheating.. Typical PTAC heating and cooling capacity values range from 2 kilowatts (7000 BTU/Hr) to 5.5 kilowatts (19000 BTU/Hr) nominal. One characteristic of PTACs is that drain piping is not required because the condensate water extracted from the air by the evaporator coil is drawn by the condenser fan onto the condenser coil surface where it evaporates.
PTACs are commonly installed in window walls and masonry walls. Their installation typically requires the following:
1) Louver
2) Metal sleeve
3) Heating Coil
4) The PTAC
5) Room Enclosure

PTACs have been around for a long time some going back almost 50 years. Although many original PTAC manufacturers are no longer in business, PTAC units are still manufactured today and designed to fit their original wall sleeve so that there is no need to modify the wall opening.

$1500 Federal Tax Credit Comes To An End In 2011

2010-12-29T11:01:00.000-05:00

Taxpayers have only until the end of the year to qualify for a $1,500 federal tax credit for new windows, insulation and other home energy improvements. The credit can reduce a tax bill by 30 percent of purchases up to $5,000, for a maximum saving of $1,500 per home.
Eligible products for 2010 include certain exterior doors and windows, skylights, water heaters, central air conditioners, electric heat pumps, furnaces, boilers, air circulating fans, insulation, roofing materials.
A separate list of products can be purchased through 2016: geothermal heat pumps, solar electric and solar water heating units, wind energy systems, residential fuel cell systems.
The deadline: The products need to be placed in service by Dec. 31, meaning they have to be installed before the New Year begins, not just purchased by then.
Other limitations: The products have to be used in a primary residence, which can be a new or existing home. If you used the full $1,500 tax credit in 2009, you cannot use it again in 2010. And there's only one $1,500 credit, not a separate credit for each item: If you use it for windows, you can't use it again for insulation.
Although Congress, in its recent extension of the Bush-era tax cuts, extended this program until 2011, it also capped the program for 2011 at $500. And only 10 percent of the cost of improvements is covered, so this next week remains the last chance to qualify for the $1,500. The new $500 limit is also a "lifetime" limit, meaning anyone who took advantage of $500 of more since the beginning of 2006 can't use any of the $500 next year. There are other restrictions as well, such as a $200 limit for windows.

The Latest Line Of PTACs Are All About Efficiency

2010-12-02T11:06:00.003-05:00

The latest PTACs are all about efficiency, thanks to this year’s R-22 phase out and next year’s planned energy-management guidelines. The goal for 2010 was to make PTACs work with new refrigerants, namely R-410A, said Ben Broido, national sales manager — PTAC for LG Electronics. “Many manufacturers were having the same problems with new refrigerants,” he said.

Along with the refrigerant change, manufacturers have stepped up energy-efficiency efforts, both to appeal to guests and to comply with 2012’s energy-management guidelines.

“There are several things the customer is looking for: Ease of service, ease of maintenance, controlling capital expenditures and lowering operating costs,” said Jim Benz, marketing manager, air conditioning products for GE.

Silence is key. Many systems use cross-flow blowers, which cause the air to move and respond with equal power, but with less noise than traditional fans.

Some money-saving options save both cash and power, Benz and Broido agreed.

Options include turning the heating and cooling system off in vacant rooms, allowing front-desk staff to control temperatures, or tying the PTAC into a motion detector.

A Really Kuhl Air Conditioner by Friedrich

2010-05-17T22:28:00.003-04:00

Friedrich, one of the leading manufacturers in high-end air conditioning units, recently launched their expertly engineered Kühl series. Aside from standard features found on Friedrich’s master class of air conditioners, these devices bring a lot of new functions and features to the table (or window, rather).

The Kühl series was created with increased efficiency and functionality in mind. Out of the twenty currently available models, twelve Kühl air conditioners are Energy Start rated. Each unit in the series features a built-in seven-day programmable thermostat for optimum energy efficiency and use. Select units even include a USB port for program customization and maintenance. With increased precision in temperature, you can save a pretty penny on your energy bills, and with the R-410A refrigerant, you save the ozone.

For those who obsess over design, seven color panel options are available in the Kühl. with Satin Silver as the standard color. An LCD control panel (and included remote control) stands out above the panel, indicating everything from temperature to programs and everything in between. Cleaning the device is exceedingly easy, with the included included washable antimicrobial air filter and “check filter” reminder indicator on the control panel.

Order your Kuhl Air Conditioner from www.RoomAire.com today.

Vertical PTACs Becoming More Popular

2010-03-18T00:23:00.005-04:00

Many hotels and motels have used the conventional 42" x 16" Thru-the-Wall PTAC for many years dating back to the 1960's. However a different version of the PTAC has been catching on rather fast over the last few years. The VTAC or VPAC also known as the Vertical Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner is the latest new trend of PTACs. Unlike a standard PTAC which is placed through the wall and exposed, A VTAC is placed discreetly in an enclosed corner closet and never seen. It gives the room a finished look similar to what you would see in a home. VTACs, with their top discharge can be ducted to cool or heat a single or even multiple rooms. Wall-mounted thermostats control the room temperature. VTACs are available with either resistance heat or a heat pump. Industry experts agree that the heat pump version, which costs about $100 more per room, is the most energy efficient. All heat pump VTACs have backup electric heat that kicks in when the heat pump can no longer do the job.

There are different reasons for opting for VTACs, but cost is an important one. They are less expensive than having two PTACs. Looks are also important. It looks like you have central air system and it can be quieter. They give you a more home-like feel and these days people love feeling right at home when they are on the road.

The VTAC system is made up of several components which consists of the main chassis, a wall plenum, a access panel and/or return air grille, an exterior grille and a wall mounted digital thermostat to control the unit. Also some ducting is used which is field supplied. There are many applications in addition to hotels that a VTAC would be ideal for. This includes healthcare facilities, apartment buildings, and even private homes.

You can purchase a new VTAC directly from RoomAire.com We offer the Friedrich Vert-I-Pak which are available in sizes ranging from 9,000 BTUs to 23,500 in both a heat/cool and heat pump model. Ask your RoomAire representative for more details on this exciting and cost effective air conditioning solution.

Federal Tax Credit of 30% Up To $1500 Available For Qualified Mini Split Heat Pumps

2010-01-02T16:43:00.005-05:00

Take advantage in 2010 to claim federal tax credits for making your home more energy-efficient. Homeowners can receive up to $1,500 in federal tax credits for improvements such as certain Energy Star appliances.

Tax Credit: 30% of cost up to $1,500
Expires: December 31, 2010
Details: Must be an existing home & your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not qualify.

Several Air Source Heat Pumps qualify for this program. Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners in moderate climates. Like your refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space into a warm, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. During the heating season, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house; during the cooling season, heat pumps move heat from your cool house into the warm outdoors. Because they move heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide up to 4 times the amount of energy they consume. Tax Credit includes installation costs.
Ductless air conditioners and heat pumps (sometimes called mini-splits) can qualify for the tax credit as long as they meet the criteria:

Ductless Air Conditioners: SEER >= 16 & EER >=13
Ductless Heat Pumps: SEER >= 15 & EER >= 12.5 & HSPF >= 8.5

Currently, no single-speed ductless products qualify for the tax credit, but some variable-speed systems do qualify. To find the list of variable-speed ductless air conditioners and heat pumps that qualify for the tax credit:

Please contact your RoomAire rep to find out which one of our products qualify for the Federal Tax Credit.

About Ductless Splits

2009-11-07T13:44:00.001-05:00

Ductless split air conditioning units are the very best thing for some situations. Of course they can be installed in the place of most any central air unit. They also are a very good alternative to window air conditioning units. I will explore the use of these units more closely and look at how they can be used effectively.

One of the many problems encountered by the professional is when they are asked to install central air in an older home that was never designed with air conditioning as even a possibility. The walls may be very thick stone. Often they have very little or no insulation. The floor structures may be rough cut lumber. The joists spacing may be random.

Walls and ceilings are plaster and lathe. Basically everything is stacked against any type of ducted central air conditioning. Many log style homes also are not very easy to get any kind of ducted central air installed. The open ceilings and the bare log wall design does not allow for any kind of ducting. I'm sure there are other situations. These are the ones that I have come across most frequently.

If you have a home or building that falls into one of these categories you may want to investigate installing a ductless air conditioner. This type of air conditioner can be installed in almost any home or building. The small indoor unit can be attached to the wall with a few screws. Most of the units only require that a three inch hole be bored through the outside wall. In new installations the units can be placed on inside walls with some fore thought and planning. For installation in older homes or homes that are already built you will want to plan the units to be on the outside walls.

The outdoor condenser units can be placed up to one hundred feet away from the indoor units. One outdoor unit can be used for many indoor units. Up to four indoor units can be attached to the same outdoor condenser. Some very advanced electronics will control the operation of the condenser and compressor to supply the refrigerant to the indoor air handler units that are running at the time. With variable speed technology the compressor and the condenser fan will only run as fast as needed. This technology has become very efficient in the last few years. You do not have to give up any efficiency with these ductless split units.

Another advantage to these mini split air conditioners is that they can be controlled to run only in the rooms that you actually need air conditioning in. If you are not going to be in a room you can shut down the unit. The units also have timers that can be set to turn the air conditioning on or off at preset times. If you are not going to be home all day the air conditioning can be setback or turned off.

The timer will turn on the air conditioning so that you return to a cool house. Central air conditioning is very hard to zone effectively. Also with large central air conditioning systems the outdoor compressor will be running at full capacity even though only a few rooms may be calling for cooling. There are some central air conditioning systems that are do some staging and variable speed technology. These are not as efficient or as effective as the ductless split technology.

Ductless split heat pumps are another great idea to look at. For a few dollars more you can also very easily have heat from your air conditioning mini split. Then especially in the mild spring and fall weather you can have some very efficient heat with out starting up that big monster of a furnace or boiler in the basement. In southern climates the heat pump version of the ductless split system may provide enough heat year around.

Ductless split air conditioning is definitely something that can solve many problems for some homeowners. Add to that the many advantages of these units and you will find that they are worth every penny that you will invest into them. As with any project like this make sure that you screen your contractor. These units are not for do it yourself people. There are many things that need to be done correctly for these units to work properly and efficiently. A refrigeration license is also required to install these air conditioners.

By doing a little research and hiring the right person you will enjoy many years of trouble free service from your new ductless mini split system.

Proper Maintenance Is Key To Long PTAC Life

2009-11-04T17:41:00.002-05:00

PTACs and HVACs should be treated similarly to how a person treats a car. Every 3,000 miles you change the oil and perform proper engine maintenance to keep the car operating efficiently—the same care must go into air conditioning your hotel.

“If that coil is blocked for any reason, it doesn’t breathe at a 100-percent rate, then it will decline; and not only does it decline, [but] it uses much more energy than it should to cool a room,” said Howard Cohen, president of ChemTron.

The benefits of proper maintenance will assist your hotel through a chain of events: If your units are maintained, they won’t break down or require new parts as often, which will save money and labor. And the cleaner the units are, the more efficient they are, which saves money on utilities. The “3,000-mile” plateau for a PTAC is once a year, Cohen said.
Just looking at the unit for filth buildup doesn’t tell the whole story.

“There is so much fungus in these units, you can look and say it’s clean, but we have chemistry to show the contaminations,” Cohen said.

Before calling an expert for a yearly cleaning, there are some steps you can take. It’s best to check the filtration four times a year, said Eric Bowman, product manager for Rheem. That number should vary depending on how dirty the area is in general. Also, make sure the outdoor coil is free from debris.

All of these little checks add up to keep a hotel’s costs and temperatures down.

New R-410A Refrigerant Will Help Our Planet

2009-11-02T16:12:00.001-05:00

R-410A refrigerants are beneficial to us and the environment
In the last few years, the need to control the increase in global warming and other environmental problems has risen tremendously. This is the reason why the use of the R-22 refrigerant is going to be stalled completely by the year 2010.

The R-22 refrigerant has been used extensively all over the world. They are found in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The use of R-22 needs to be stopped as they give out HCFCs and other dangerous gases that destroy the ozone layer. The ozone layer protects the earth from the direct and harmful heat of the sun.

Due to this environmental issue, the use of R-22 refrigerants will be substituted by the R-410A refrigerant which does not cause harm to the environment. A few of the benefits of the R-410A refrigerant are:

• The air conditioners that use R-410A refrigerant have a high energy efficient ratio.
• They do not possess any chemicals that cause ozone depletion.
• R-410A possesses the least Global Warming TEWA(Total Equipment Warming Impact).

The biggest benefit of the R-410A refrigerant is that they are going to replace the dangerous R-22 refrigerants. However, today, many contractors are still using the cheap R-22 equipment while the others are selling the R-410A refrigerant. It is our duty to contribute and make our planet a better place to live in. Thus, whenever you choose to buy air conditioners, buy one which uses R-410A refrigerant even if the other is sold at a cheaper price. Your life is in your hands and so are the lives of others.