How to Choose the Right Heat Type for Your PTAC Posted on May 23, 2024 Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs) are a popular choice for cooling and heating residential and commercial spaces, thanks to their versatility and efficiency. When it comes to PTAC heating, however, not all are created equal. There are two different types of PTAC heating systems, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we explore both types of PTAC heating options, discuss their respective pros and cons, and provide guidance on how to select the best one for your specific needs. The 2 Types of PTAC Heating When it comes to heating, PTACs use one of two different systems: heat pumps and electric resistance heating. PTAC Heat Pump As the name suggests, some PTAC models are equipped with a reverse cycle heat pump to provide warmth through conduction. The heat pump works by reversing the flow of coolant. In doing so, it absorbs heat from the outside air and transfers it to the home’s interior. This makes it more efficient than electric heating, but comes with a higher initial price tag. Pros: Heat pumps are more energy-efficient than electric resistance heating. They draw between 25% to 60% less wattage than electric heating units, which makes them more cost-effective in the long run. They are also more eco-friendly, since they generate less greenhouse gas emissions than electric resistance heating. Cons: Heat pump PTACs are slightly more expensive to purchase upfront compared to electric resistance units. Heat pumps are less efficient in extremely cold weather, and will switch to backup electric heat. This changeover generally happens between about 25-40° F outside depending on the unit and specific conditions. Since the heat pump draws in heat from outside, heating performance tends to be affected by external weather conditions. Keep in mind that because of the backup electric heat strip in heat pump units, you will always have heating, regardless of the outside temperature. Electric Resistance Heating The other option is electric resistance heating. In this setup, the heat is generated by passing electric current through a resistive element. This makes them simpler and less expensive, but also less efficient compared to heat pumps. Pros: Electric heating PTACs generally carry a lower price tag. They are easier to maintain. It provides quicker palpable warmth as the resistance element heats up faster than a heat pump. Emits less noise than a heat pump. Cons: Electric resistance heating is less efficient and is more costly in the long term. Its lower efficiency also means it’s less eco-friendly due to its high energy consumption. How to Choose the Right PTAC Heating System ✔ Local weather Heat pumps perform best when the outside air temperature is above freezing. Once it drops down below the 20s, their performance suffers compared to electric heat. Most heat pumps typically work best between 35-55 degrees F. For most regions of the country, that means that a heat pump will be saving you money for a good portion of the winter and will switch to electric heat when needed. ✔ Budget PTAC heat pumps carry a higher price tag than their electric heat counterparts. However, this can be offset by energy savings in the long run. ✔ Utility rates Electric resistance heating is less efficient and consumes more energy than a heat pump. If your area’s utility costs tend to be high, consider choosing the heat pump despite being more expensive. The higher initial cost will pay for itself in the long term, especially if you use the heating function frequently. ✔ Noise Electric heating is quieter than heat pumps, since it only requires a blower to disseminate the heat across the room. Heat pump units use the unit’s compressor which means it will sound the same as the air conditioner portion of the unit running. Our Recommended PTACs for Heating PTAC heat pump Budget friendly: Hotpoint AH12H12D3B 12000 BTU PTAC Air Conditioner with Heat Pump – R32 Refrigerant Hotpoint has a long history as an industry leader in the appliance and comfort control industries. This PTAC has a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTUs and features and 10.5 EER rating. Its 20 amp power cord will deliver 3.5 kW of electric back-up heat. It comes with a 20 amp, 208/230 volt power cord included and new installations require a grille and wall sleeve. However, if you are replacing a PTAC unit, your current grille and sleeve may be fine. In the event of a power failure, the Auto Power Recovery feature on Hotpoint PTAC units will automatically restart your unit in the mode it was in when power was lost. Additionally, they also offer Freeze and Frost Protection to help keep your unit in top top condition. A sensor on the indoor coil monitors the coil temperature and turns the compressor off until the coils warms up. The fan will continue running when this occurs. Price: $802.00 Hotpoint AH12H12D3B 12000 BTU PTAC Air Conditioner with Heat Pump - R32 Refrigerant - 20 Amp - 208/230 Volt Hotpoint PTAC wall air conditioner units are affordable and easy to install. Remove the old PTAC and slide the new unit into the wall sleeve. The Hotpoint ... View Product Premium: Friedrich PVH12K3FB 12000 BTU Class FreshAire Series with Inverter Technology 11.5 EER PTAC Air Conditioner with Heat Pump Friedrich’s FreshAire line features a fully integrated make-up air system while still offering the quiet sound levels and efficiency levels you have come to expect from the brand. They can be used in both commercial and residential applications. This model provides 11,800 BTU of cooling and 11,800 BTUs reverse cycle heat pump as well as back-up electric resistive heat. Additionally, it boasts an EER of 11.5, making it an efficient system to cool smaller areas. It features inverter technology to achieve high levels of efficiency. The FreshAire Series boasts aluminum end plates and DiamonBlue Advanced Corrosion protection for a longer life in coastal areas where the environment is harsher due to the salt water. Another feature includes an automatic sampling of the room temperature every nine minutes to ensure that the desired conditions are maintained. The fresh air damper brings fresh outdoor air inside when desired. Finally, Friedrich’s FreshAire models are the only PTACs that meet ASHRAE 62.1-2013 requirements delivering up to 52 CFM of conditioned, MERV 8 filtered make-up air. Price: $1,599.00 Friedrich PVH12K3FB 12000 BTU Class FreshAire Series with Inverter Technology 11.5 EER PTAC Air Conditioner with Heat Pump - 20 Amp - 230 Volt Friedrich FreshAire Series PTAC units are the most advanced PTAC units. The FreshAire line features a fully integrated make-up air system while still offering... View Product PTAC with electric heat Entry level: Distinctions by Amana DCP093A35AA 9000 BTU Class 11.3 EER This unit offers 9,000 / 9,200 BTUs of cooling power and a 3.5 kW electric heater, providing approximately 8,900 / 10,900 BTUs of electric backup heat. It also includes a 15 amp power cord and features an EER of 11.3. It uses R410A refrigerant. Features include 3 fan speeds for cooling as well as a fan only mode, temperature display in °F or °C. The set temperature will display in the cooling mode and the room temperature will display in the fan only mode. The unit can be controlled either from the unit itself or with a wired wall thermostat. A built-in Evaporator Freeze Protection automatically turns the compressor off and the fan on when the evaporator temperature gets too low. Once the evaporator temperature is no longer too low, the system will go back on. Distinctions PTAC units also include a condensate dispersion system that “throws” excess condensation onto the outdoor coil for fast evaporation, while allowing for maximum cooling efficiency. Price: $875.00 Distinctions by Amana DCP093A35AA 9000 BTU Class 11.3 EER PTAC Air Conditioner - R410A - 3.5 kW - 20 Amp The DCP093A35AA is for residential and commercial use with 208 / 230 volt electricity. This unit offers 9,000 / 9,200 BTUs of cooling power and a... View Product Premium: GE AZ45E15DAB 15,000 BTU Class Zoneline PTAC with Electric Heat GE’s Zoneline electric heat resistance PTACs are more efficient than most other leading competitors in their class, cutting any building or establishment’s monthly heating costs significantly. This specific model provides 14,100 BTUs of cooling and up to 13,400 BTUs of electric heat. It has an EER of 10.5 and a dehumidification rating of 4.6 pts/hr. Features include a slide-in chassis design, electronic, 7-step temperature limiting, and heat and freeze sentinels. With a sound transmission class of 29, GE’s Zoneline units are also the quietest PTACs on the market at reducing outside noise. This is achieved by using a heavy-duty, baked-on mastic barrier, a weather barrier system seal around the perimeter, and two exceptionally quiet DC fan motors that work to reduce noise by dialing in the exact airflow needed for each heating and cooling function. Price: $1,199.00 GE AZ45E15DAB 15,000 BTU Class Zoneline PTAC Air Conditioner with Electric Heat - Power Cord Included For your convenience, we are including a required power cord of your choice with this unit. Choose either a standard power cord (included) or a hardwire kit (... View Product Complete PTAC Heating Options at Total Home Supply At Total Home Supply, we carry a wide range of both heat pump and electric heating PTAC units from top brands. We also provide expert advice on which system is better for your specific needs. Give us a call today to learn which PTAC heating works best for your home! Related articles What is a PTAC Unit? PTAC vs Mini Split: Which is Right for You? PTAC Replacement Guide Mickey Luongo Mickey is the resident heating and air conditioning expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry.
