Your guests’ comfort is all-important and a no-brainer as far as maintaining client satisfaction. From providing comfortable sheets and blankets to offering enough towels to last their stay, hotel owners need to think ahead and know what their visitors will need before they request it. This foresight and preparedness also ties to the temperature of their room as well. Everybody has different temperature preferences, so guests need to have independent control of their room’s climate. Packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) provide independence, letting guests adjust the level of heat or chill as needed.

Read on to learn a few key factors that can help you choose the right PTAC unit for hotel rooms.

FYI, here's our list of the best PTAC & AC units for your hospitality business. Are there any models that you think should be here from our hospitality products list?

Room Size Matters

If you’ve heard of BTUs (British Thermal Units) but don’t quite know what they are and what they measure, here’s the lowdown on BTUs and PTACS. Essentially, BTUs measure how much energy the unit needs to remove heat from the room and replace it with cool air. In short, the bigger the room, the more BTUs are necessary to alter and maintain the temperature.

Measure each hotel room’s square footage. Most hotel rooms are uniform in size, but measure them individually all the same. As the room size increases, so do the BTUs, so make your PTAC purchase accordingly. And if high temps are common in your hotel’s region, it’s beneficial to pick a PTAC with greater BTU capability.

To help with this we made a video to explain how many BTUs you need based on the room size.

Voltage and Amperage

This is a question for the electrician on your staff or those in charge of repairing and monitoring the electrical systems in your hotel. HVAC systems demand power, and the bigger the device, the more strain it’ll put on your system. Search for PTAC units that won’t overload your circuits. Be sure the power cord for the unit can handle the amount of electricity coursing through it. An overheated wire is a certain way to start an electrical fire. Your installer will likely ensure the system can handle the units, but hotel owners should ask just to be sure.

Unit Noise

There’s one thing guests do more than anything else in your hotel room: sleep. When they sleep, they don’t want to be disturbed, especially by loud noises. It doesn’t matter how warm or cool a PTAC unit keeps the room if guests can’t catch a wink while it rumbles and roars in the background. Truly effective PTAC units run quietly, so it’s best to look for units that keep down the noise.

Rugged and Long-Lasting

Naturally, when you buy a piece of equipment, you want it to last a very long time. This especially applies to PTAC units, which need to run throughout the year. Guests may also put your units through the paces, demanding more heated or cooled air than you might expect. Look into reviews of individual units, especially ones that comment on the devices’ durability. If a particular brand has a reputation for breaking down, avoid it. Ensure that the installer guarantees your PTAC units or provides warranties. The better units should never require action on either of these, but they are still beneficial to have.

FYI, here's a quick guide for how to properly maintain and optimize the use of your PTAC units.

Price

Price, naturally, depends on PTAC unit quality and features. Often, the better, more powerful, and more complex a unit, the more you’ll pay for it. While you should always look for the best deal, going with the cheapest choice can be more costly in the long run. Cheaper units break down faster, and those repair and replacement bills really add up. Additionally, hotel owners should consider the fact that while they may initially pay more for energy-efficient PTAC units, these units pay for themselves over time through lower electricity bills.

Climate Considerations

Take a moment to think about your local climate and range of temperatures and whether guests will need more cool air or warm air. Southern regions may require air conditioning for most, if not all, of the year, while more northerly areas may only need cooling for a few months. All PTAC units have an electrical heat feature, but some come with heat pumps, which draw warmth from the outside. Heat pumps are energy savers that work as well as units that electrically heat the room, but as the temps drop, guests may prefer electrical heat instead. Either way, ensure guests won’t be left chilly or baking by picking a PTAC unit that delivers comfort when they need it most.

Looking Good!

Now that you’ve determined the nitty gritty nuts and bolts things you need in a PTAC unit, allow yourself the luxury of considering their looks. A clunky, badly colored unit that takes up space may work great, but it can be a real turnoff for guests. Look for a device that’s unobtrusive, not just in sound but also in appearance. A sleek design that fits neatly into the room won’t offend guests’ aesthetic sensibilities. It should also leave more room for them to relax, set up their stuff, and otherwise enjoy the room. Pick a color scheme that fits with your hotel’s brand, or choose PTAC units that you can repaint. If your budget allows, consider placing units further inside the wall.

Installation Requirements

While the company you’re purchasing your PTAC units from will likely offer installation services, make sure of it. If you must do the installation yourself, investigate how difficult the job may be. You should also consider whether you have staff on hand who have the training necessary to handle the unit installation. The aggravation and potential for mistakes may make any money you save by doing it yourself not worth it. Look for easily installed units or a company that will do the job for you and at a reasonable cost.

Those are the basics on how to choose the right PTAC unit for hotel rooms. At Transworld, we are experts in PTACs, dishwashers, ice machines, ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, and other appliances for hotels and other guest-centered businesses.

Questions About PTAC Units or Other Hotel Technology Products?

If you have further questions about hotel HVAC units that can improve guest satisfaction at your hotel, motel, BNB, or inn, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!