How to determine the correct BTU size for your hotel room?
Choosing the right size PTAC, Through-the-Wall (TTW), or VTAC air conditioner for your rooms is critical for guest satisfaction. Before you start looking, it is helpful to know the square footage of the rooms, the voltage and amperage needed, and the dimensions of the unit(s) needed. The majority of all PTACS are 42 X 16, and TTW usually is 26 X 15 5/8.
PTACs and TTWs come in several BTU sizes – from 7,000 to 15,000. Most hotel rooms run from 150 square feet to 600 square feet and require a unit within the 7,000 to 12,000 range. If a unit is underpowered, it will not efficiently cool or heat the room and may cause the air conditioner to overheat. If the model selected is too large for the space, it will not remove enough moisture making the room feel clammy, dewy, and uncomfortable.
Use the handy guide to help you with your initial research. Consult with your Allied Appliance Sales Representative, who will walk you through the rest of the questions and make sure you get the unit that has the proper BTU, amperage, and voltage for your space. They can also help you determine whether it would be best to get a Heat/Cool unit with a heat strip or heat pump or go with a Cool Only model. Your rep will make sure that you have the best advice you can get before making your purchase.
| Area (Sq. Foot) | Capacity (BTU) |
|---|---|
| 100 up to 150 | 5,000 |
| 150 up to 250 | 6,000 |
| 250 up to 300 | 7,000 |
| 300 up to 350 | 8,000 |
| 350 up to 400 | 9,000 |
| 400 up to 450 | 10,000 |
| 450 up to 550 | 12,000 |
| 550 up to 700 | 14,000 |
| 700 up to 1,000 | 18,000 |
Keep Your PTAC Running At Peak Efficiency By Following These Monthly and Seasonal Maintenance Tips
If you want to keep your PTACs performing their best and extend the life of the units, put together a monthly and seasonal plan for PTAC maintenance. Allied Appliance has put together a list of items that you should routinely checked on a monthly basis as well as a list of items that require a once a year approach. To learn more about how to keep your PTACs in great condition, please click here.
Heat Pump? Heat Strip? Does It Really Make A Difference? Yes It Does!
Knowing the difference – and the benefits – of heat pump versus heat strip can save you a lot of money over the life of your PTAC. To learn more about it click here, or call your Allied Appliance Sales Rep and they can explain the differences. Knowledge is power.
What Type of Air Conditioner Do You Need?
TTW or Through-The-Wall air conditioners will cool rooms using outdoor air to create airflow, while still being environmentally friendly. Installation on this type of unit, while more permanent, is also much more secure and doesn’t allow for the kind of air seepage you typically find with window units. If you know you’ll need to use the unit year-round, consider a model with both cooling and heating abilities.
Window unit air conditioners are installed in an open window. The interior air is cooled as a fan blows it over the evaporator. On the exterior the heat drawn from the interior is dissipated into the environment as a second fan blows outside air over the condenser. A large house or building may have several such units, allowing each room to be cooled separately.
A VTAC is a vertical thru-the-wall air conditioner and heat pump unit (VTACs & VTHPs).These types of units can be used for replacement of vertical units or installed in new construction projects.
Mini-splits are heating and cooling systems that allow you to control the temperatures in an individual room or a few smaller rooms.
Mini-split systems employ two main components:
1. An outdoor compressor/condenser
2. An indoor air-handling unit(s) (evaporator)
Mini-splits are easy to install usually requiring only a three-inch hole through a wall for the conduit; which houses the power and communication cables, copper tubing, and a condensation drain line, linking the outdoor and indoor units.
Looking To Save Money Operating Your PTAC?
One of the most efficient ways to accomplish cost reductions is with a wireless energy management system. A leader in the market is Amana’s Eden System featuring a DigiLink controller. It combines the benefits of reduced energy consumption with improved unit maintenance and allows for an easy installation. The Eden System assists hotels, nursing homes, schools, or any building using a PTAC to manage their in-room use. Click here to learn more.
For more information on the different PTAC Models, please click on the brand name.
For more information on the different Through-The-Wall Models, please click on the brand name.