PTAC Vs Mini Split. Which Is The Best Heating & AC System For You?

A Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) is a commercial grade, self-contained system commonly found in hotels, hospitals, etc. PTAC’s compressor unit is capable of both heating and cooling. Mini splits are heating and cooling systems that allow controlling the temperature of individual rooms or spaces. A mini-split has 2 main components: an outdoor compressor and an indoor air handling unit. PTACs and mini-splits have similar applications and can operate independently, which makes them a viable solution for buildings with different schedules.

Depending on the requirements of each project, both units can be used as air conditioners or as reversible heat pumps. When reversible, PTAC is called a Packaged Terminal Heat Pump (PTHP).

Since both units have similar application, which one is the best option for you? In this article, we will walk you through the benefits of each unit, advantages over each other, and most importantly helpEfficiency Heating
Cooling

you pick the right one for you.

Advantages of Mini-Splits over PTAC

The biggest advantage of mini-split is energy efficiency. Unlike PTAC, mini-split requires a small opening for refrigerant lines between indoor and outdoor units. The most efficient PTACs have an Energy Efficient Ratio (EER) of around 12 in cooling mode, while some mini-splits have an EER above 15. This means, with mini-split, you can expect electricity savings of over 30%. For heating mode, the energy efficiency difference is less drastic as the Coefficient of Performance (COP) for both units is above 3.

Mini-splits require small wall opening which makes them easier to install. Mini-splits also don’t require existing ductwork for cooling and heating. This makes them a great option for installing in new construction projects.

Mini-splits have 2 units, indoor unit and outdoor unit, and are more adaptable than PTAC. The indoor unit can be installed in any wall and you don’t need to match the position of the outdoor unit. PTACs and PTHPs, on the other hand, can only be installed when an exterior wall opening is possible. Mini-splits also produce less noise as the outdoor unit contains the compressor and is isolated from the conditioned space.

Advantages of PTAC over Mini-Splits