What PTAC design means to a room

When designers envision a finished guestroom in their heads, chances are they aren’t focusing on the PTACs. But that doesn’t mean that big white (or beige) object is something they can—or should—ignore. Guestrooms that include PTACs have some basic constraints that every designer and owner should know.

“Regular PTACs do limit the room design in that they must be placed on the outside wall, typically integrated with the window and frame,” said James Benz, marketing manage of air conditioning products with GE Appliances. “And curtains cannot go all the way to the floor.”

Tom Guffey, VP, Amana Brand PTAC Sales Division, also noted that air flow is critical for efficient air conditioning operation and guest comfort—and that PTAC manufacturers need to work closer with hotel designers to keep furniture an appropriate distance away.

Moving upscale?   
While PTACs are more commonly found in economy and midscale hotels, travelers can now find them in some upscale properties, too.

“PTACs are being used sporadically within upscale brands, usually through conversions versus new-build,” said Bill Huber, national sales manager at Friedrich Air Conditioning Co. “In higher-end hotels, we have seen the PTAC moved from under the window to a corner, offset location, allowing for full windows and window treatments.”

Vertical PTAC designs often are more desirable for upscale interior profiles.

“Designers usually prefer the homey look and would rather have the A/C unit tucked away and out of sight—and that’s why [vertical models] are frequently evaluated for individual designs and property types,” said AJ Bhimji, president, ACW.

“Vertical PTACs will grow in popularity, especially for high-end properties,” said Benz.

“They provide the flexibility to design the room more like your home, can be ducted to multiple rooms for suites, and can provide quieter operation because they are located in a closet.”

Guffey claims VTACs are more expensive to purchase and require a closet to install them, which drives up initial installation costs.

“They are also much more difficult to clean and maintain over the life of the unit,” he said.

Huber noted another design trend is for exterior grilles to be designed to be 8 feet wide to match the window; he said that flags such as Holiday Inn Express and Hilton Garden Inn have used this approach.

The PTAC decision
Hotels choose to use PTACs for a variety of reasons, Benz said.

“PTACs are chosen because of lower construction costs—think of the space needed for ducting,” he said. “They have lower operating costs, you have the ability to only condition occupied rooms. They’re easy to maintain. Slide-out designs allow for replacement/maintenance of a single unit without a licensed HVAC mechanical engineer on site. Plus, there’s easier capital investment control involved—a property can budget for replacements over a period of time.”

Huber said it makes sense to use PTACs when individual room controls need to operate independently.

“Not only can this result in improved guest comfort, but properties benefit because they are not paying to condition spaces that are not in use. Central systems typically cannot offer this benefit,” he said.

Controls coming to a PTAC near you
Temperature control of guestrooms is about to get a whole lot more interesting in the coming years.

“The changes in the PTAC industry have been very slight overall when compared to other appliances,” said AJ Bhimji, president of ACW. “However, the cost of energy and new protocols are changing the industry and it is moving it to a more conscious design—driving energy efficiency and durability as top priorities.”

Tom Guffey, VP, Amana Brand PTAC Sales Division said that unit efficiencies are higher, units are quieter and Web-based control and monitoring is available for the next level of efficient operation.

“With the ability to control units via the Internet, hoteliers are able to see operational conditions and monitor PTAC operations to avoid issues, avoid energy waste and do preventative maintenance,” he said.