PTAC Design Issues

[Eddie_T]

I would like to see more efficient and quieter PTAC heat pumps. There are min-splits with 21 SEER but PTACs seem to top out at 9 SEER.

Mini-splits are for high wall installation, They won't fit above a window and can't be used below a window. If one were designed as a PTAC replacement every motel in the US could be a potential customer.

PTACs are used primarily in the US so this would also be a great buy American opportunity.

[BaldLoonie]

If PTACs went to inverter technology, probably could get a lot more efficiency out of them. Might make them quieter though with a compressor in the cabinet, hard to be whisper quiet like a mini's wall unit. Would certainly make them more expensive which is something motels, apartments and retirement homes don't want. What are the most common units today? Straight electric heat models. Most places won't even spend the extra for heat pumps. Most popular brand? They cheap one. Don't see the tanks, like the commercial grade McQuays. Pretty much see Amana which is LOW priced and noisy.

But your idea is good!

[icesoft]

Yeah, good luck selling it, most places I know only see the initial investment $$. I know the inverter units can be nearly wisper silent, even with the compressor running. We've got a Samsung mini-split that you can't hear the condensing unit running over the ambient noise, loudest part is the fan, very impressive.

Which also means you'll hear the neighbors in the hotel room next door, upstairs, and downstairs....

[Eddie_T]

Yeah, I know the inverter units can be nearly wisper silent, even with the compressor running. We've got a Samsung mini-split that you can't hear the condensing unit running over the ambient noise, loudest part is the fan, very impressive.
I am amazed at how quite mine is, the compressor is considerably quieter than the indoor unit fan.