| All Things HVAC

PTACs – Split Ductless Systems By Betty Stephens

The System
PTAC (packaged terminal systems) are also known as wall-split air conditioning systems or ductless systems. These PTAC systems which are frequently used in hotels have two separate units, the evaporative unit on the interior and the condensing unit on the exterior, with tubing passing through the wall and connecting them. This minimizes the interior system footprint and allows each room to be adjusted independently. The terminal package is the condensing unit located on the exterior and includes the compressor, condenser and condenser fan. The other terminal package is the evaporative unit located on the interior and handles air cooling and distribution. The internal evaporative unit includes the fan, expansion valve and evaporator coil.
PTAC system may be adapted to provide heating in cold weather, either directly by using an electric strip, gas or other heater, or by reversing the refrigerant flow to heat the interior and draw heat from the exterior air, converting the air conditioner into a heat pump.
Cost
While room air conditioning provides maximum flexibility, when used to cool many rooms at a time it is generally more expensive than central air conditioning. The primary disadvantage of ductless air conditioners is their cost. Such systems cost about $1,500 to $2,000 per ton of cooling capacity. This is about 30% more than central systems and may cost more than twice as much as window units of similar capacity.
An additional possible disadvantage that may increase net cost is that ductless systems may sometimes not be eligible for energy efficiency rebates offered by many electric utility companies as part of an incentive program to reduce summer cooling load on the electrical grid.
Efficiency
Ductless systems offer much higher efficiency (up to 27.1 SEER on some systems). Today’s brands include Aircon, Carrier, Daikin, Klimaire, LG, Mitsubishi, Sanyo, Fujitsu and YMGI.
Most ductless (split system) air conditioners still typically provide cooling to a single room or interior zone, just like a window air conditioner or PTAC; but more powerful outside units are becoming more and more available, supporting cooling of ever-more interior zones. Advantages of the ductless system include smaller size and flexibility for zoning or heating and cooling individual rooms. Flexible exterior hoses lead from the outside unit to the interior one(s); these are often enclosed with metal to look like common drainpipes from the roof. Those enclosures can be painted to match the color of the house.
If your goal is to create a quiet, comfort controlled room, or simply want to heat or cool an area without expensive ductwork, the ductless systems set a new standard for efficiency, great looks and comfort.

Carrier Corporation United Technologies

Carrier Corp. is the world’s leader in high technology, heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy-efficient products, building controls and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and food service customers. Willis Carrier is credited with inventing modern air conditioning in 1902. In 1915 Carrier, along with six other engineers, pooled together $32,600 to form the Carrier Engineering Corporation. In 1920 they purchased their first plant in Newark, New Jersey.

The corporation bearing his name succeeded in marketing its air conditioner to the residential market in the 1950s, which led to formerly sparsely populated areas such as the American Southwest became home to sprawling suburbs. Carrier is the largest air conditioning producer in the world. It has U.S. manufacturing facilities in Indianapolis, Indiana for residential and commercial furnaces and air handlers, Collierville, Tennessee for residential condensing units and heat pumps, Tyler, Texas for residential package units and commercial condensing and package units, Mexico for evaporator coils, and Charlotte, North Carolina for accessories and chillers.

Carrier improves the world around us through engineered innovation and environmental stewardship. Headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, USA, Carrier has approximately 32,000 employees in more than 170 countries in six continents.

United Technologies Corporation

Carrier Corporation was acquired by United Technologies Corporation in July 1979. UTC, based in Hartford, Conn., USA, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries. UTC’s products include Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, Sikorsky helicopters, Hamilton Sundstrand aerospace systems and industrial products, Otis elevators and escalators, UTC Fire & Security systems and UTC Power fuel cells. Also in the UTC family is a central research organization – the United Technologies Research Center – where industry leaders deliver the world’s most advanced technologies, provide innovative thinking and conduct disciplined research for the UTC businesses.

Carrier Brands
Carrier Corporation is also the manufacturer of Bryant, Payne, and Day & Night Heating and Cooling Systems, as well as additional brands through its sister company, International Comfort Products (ICP) headquartered in Lewisburg, Tennessee, acquired by Carrier in 1999. Carrier’s brand names include Weathermaker furnaces and air conditioners, Weathermaster commercial units, Centurion rooftop units, and Aquazone water- and ground-source. Carrier’s numerous air conditioner models are certified by Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).

Carrier also owns Transicold (“reefer” transport refrigeration). In early 2008, Carrier acquired Environmental Market Solutions, Inc. (EMSI), an environmental and green building consulting company based in the United States.

Carrier
Carrier is the world leader in air conditioning, heating and refrigeration systems. Carrier is built upon a legacy of innovation and commitment. Through their market-leading products and solutions, they are constantly striving to help people live more comfortable, healthy and productive lives. Carrier was named a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) “Brand Leader” in a recent survey conducted by Hanley Wood’s Builder Magazine and Readex Research. Carrier, the world’s leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). They solve problems on a global level, and their innovations drive new industries.
Bryant
Bryant’s wide range of hard-working products include gas and oil furnaces, fan coils, boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners, packaged products, humidifiers, ventilators, other air quality accessories and more. These industry-leading products are manufactured at sites across the United States. Bryant plants are among the largest heating and cooling production facilities in the world, incorporating advanced technology to maintain the highest standards possible in the design, production and quality testing of Bryant heating and cooling equipment. Since 1904, Bryant has built a reputation for going above and beyond to give you the home comfort you deserve.

Payne
There are no short cuts when building a brand that stands for dependable products at the best possible price. The same principles that made D.W. Payne and his sons successful in 1914 are still very evident today. When you choose Payne® products, you’re getting more than just a name. You’re getting attractive, affordable products that work. Dependability is our value. That’s the Payne promise. Payne maintains a simple line of highly efficient and dependable products such as air conditioners, gas furnaces, heat pumps, indoor coils, duct-free splits, and small packaged products. Homeowners who want dependable heating and cooling systems at a reasonable price turn to Payne.

TopTech

While dealing with customers can be a challenge, dealing with your supplier should not be. That is why Carrier Enterprise is committed to helping our dealers get what they need when they need it to meet the needs of their customers. From equipment and tools to parts and supplies, our stores have everything you need to get the job done right the first time. The TopTech brand – the highest quality HVAC parts, supplies, and accessories – are consistently made one step above the competition with quality control measures and feature sets.
Founten
Founten uses leading edge technology to deliver an intelligent Wireless HVAC Energy Management Solutions enabling you to achieve significant, measurable energy savings, and increase the satisfaction of your occupants through intuitive Cloud based reporting and management. Founten provides this wireless HVAC EMS solution all at an economical price for both equipment and installation which has never been achieved in EMS before.

Gree (ETAC)

CE is proud to offer the latest innovation from Gree, the Engineered Terminal Air Conditioner. E-TAC’s smart technology puts energy control and savings back into customer’s hands. Specifically designed to meet the rigorous demands of hospitality, healthcare and specialty residential installations, Backed by the longest standard warranty in the industry, the E-TAC series also offers the most complete line of accessories available. Features include a dry mode, pre-programmed setpoint limits and ranging from 1000 to 15000 BTUs, the E-TAC Series is the ideal choice for superior performance and energy savings.

Day & Night®
Day & Night Heating and Cooling Products are designed with homeowners in mind to help them learn more about energy efficiency ratings and ways to cut their home energy bill by using Day & Night high-efficiency air conditioners, heat pumps and gas furnaces. All Day & Night products meet or exceed federal standards for efficiency and can greatly save on energy costs, especially compared to an older, less efficient system. Day & Night systems are built for quiet operation, reliability, and durability. You get the benefit of the latest technology and a heritage of quality in systems that deliver maximum comfort to your home. Day & Night energy efficiency ratings of AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) in heating, SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) in cooling, and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) in heat pumps, meet or exceed federal standards.

Summary
Carrier is to air conditioning what Sony is to television, Ford is to cars, and Coca-Cola is to soda: the long established name in its field that usually delivers a high quality product. Carrier does not list the cost of its air conditioners on its website or in any other company materials, similar to nearly every other HVAC manufacturer. The Carrier air conditioner price you pay, as the end consumer, is a total consisting of the wholesale air conditioner price and the installation cost.
Carrier has three series of air conditioners:
1. Infinity.
2. Performance.
3. Comfort.
Carrier’s Infinity Series has a 21 SEER rating, placing every unit in this series among the most energy-efficient models in the industry.

Carrier’s Performance Series includes air conditioners that are large, heavy and durable. These units have a lower SEER rating, but they’re designed to outlast most air conditioning units on the market.

Carriers Comfort Series is for buyers who are on a budget. These air conditioners have a low SEER rating, but they are compact, economical and efficient.