Which PTAC - GE or Friedrich?

[myfutureselfnme]

I have an apartment in NYC in a prewar coop. No air conditioner installed, just a radiator for heat. I want an air conditioner, and only one thing about it matters to me: how much noise it makes. I want a ductless mini-split system, but I think the likelihood of the board approving a compressor mounted on an exterior wall is just about zero. So it seems like cutting a giant hole under the window in each room and installing a PTAC may be the way to go. I would like to build a window seat around it as well, to further reduce any noise.

As I understand it, the newer high end GE Zonelines are quiet, but Friedrich also makes quiet ones. In any case I want to be able to control them both via a remote thermostat in the hallway. What should I get?

Thanks
-Adam

[BaldLoonie]

Have not seen a new Friedrich lately so can't comment. Didn't like their older ones.

GE's 6100 is a nice unit. It is quiet. 2 motor design which seems to be gaining popularity with other brands. It's the only one I know of where the compressor & backup heat run together, quite an energy saver. Remote stats are available, wire would have to be run to it.

Best of all, GE has a service fleet and from what my cousin found after not washing her filters for years, they aren't that expensive. So no begging HVAC companies to come out and work on an overstuffed window unit.

[REP]

Both companies have been around for years and years and both units are above average in ratings.
It depends on where you are,as the big differance is usually parts availibility.GE usually has the bettor supply but again it depends on where you are.

[Eddie_T]

GE's 6100 is a nice unit. It is quiet. 2 motor design which seems to be gaining popularity with other brands. It's the only one I know of where the compressor & backup heat run together, quite an energy saver. Remote stats are available, wire would have to be run to it.

I like the idea of the compressor & backup heat running together. I wonder if they continue to do so below parity (parity being the point where heat pump efficient is one for one with wattage)? Below parity efficiency drops off due to time spent in defrost. I haven't seen any data for new refrigerants but I think parity used to be around 20 degrees.

My 21 SEER min-split still provided heat at 8 degrees this winter but spent a lot of time in defrost. My Carrier 52P PTAC shuts down the compressor at around 40 degrees so it's a candidate for replacement as we have many days between 20 and 40 degrees. I would love to see a PTAC with inverter technology!