
What Size PTAC Do I Need?
PTAC Sizing Calculator
Packaged terminal air conditioners (PTAC) are perfect additions to homes, offices, high-rises, or anywhere it's difficult to keep a comfortable temperature. Properly sizing your PTAC is a vital step in the buying process. Lucky for you, our online PTAC sizing calculator will walk you through questions about your space and provide the best sizing estimate you'll find from any online tool.
866-554-HEAT (4328).
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Call Us Toll Free: 1 (866) 554-HEAT (4328) Monday - Thursday: 8am - 6pm CST Friday: 9am - 5pm CST Saturday and Sunday: Closed |
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* MRA - Moisture Removal Allowance: It is typical for roughly 30% of your air conditioner's capacity to be used to reduce the humidity in your home. Disclaimer: This sizing tool, although based on a version of the ACCA Manual J, is for informational use and is intended only as a guide to assist with finding the best product for your needs. Since the calculations are based on the information provided, Power Equipment Direct, Inc. assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies resulting from improperly sized equipment. For a complete, professional sizing estimate, please call us at 866-554-HEAT (4328). |
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Call Us Toll Free: 1 (866) 554-HEAT (4328) Monday - Thursday: 8am - 6pm CST Friday: 9am - 5pm CST Saturday and Sunday: Closed |
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* MRA - Moisture Removal Allowance: It is typical for roughly 30% of your air conditioner's capacity to be used to reduce the humidity in your home. Disclaimer: This sizing tool, although based on a version of the ACCA Manual J, is for informational use and is intended only as a guide to assist with finding the best product for your needs. Since the calculations are based on the information provided, Power Equipment Direct, Inc. assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies resulting from improperly sized equipment. For a complete, professional sizing estimate, please call us at 866-554-HEAT (4328). |
How to Use the PTAC Sizing Calculator
Our proprietary PTAC sizing calculator will ask you several structural questions about your home to determine how many BTUs you need. Many of the questions are designed to determine how much energy your home loses. For example, the more windows and exposed walls you have, the more energy you're losing to the outdoors, and the more BTUs you will need.
Once you answer these questions to the best of your knowledge, our calculator will give a rough estimate of the amount of BTUs you need for heating and cooling. You can then download, print, or email that information to yourself and use it when shopping our site. Keep in mind, the results are meant as a guide and do not replace a full ACCA Manual J calculation.
What if My PTAC is Sized Wrong?
If your PTAC it is too small, you'll find your unit running and running, all the while never reaching that temperature you desire. Beyond just negatively impacting your comfort, your PTAC may suffer physically from the extra wear and tear it experiences while running non-stop.
If it is sized too big, you'll likely experience temperature swings and decreased energy efficiency as your unit cycles on and off too frequently. Just like the constant running of your PTAC, frequent starting and stopping, known as short-cycling, could damage your system over time. Short-cycling is also very inefficient, costing you more money than necessary over the long term.
It's easy to be lured into using simple, rule-of-thumb sizing methods, such as square footage, to size your PTAC. Unfortunately, many other factors can come into play and significantly impact your BTU requirements, such as climate, building materials, and more. Get on the right track with our sizing calculator!
