Maintenance Guide
PTAC Preventive Maintenance Checklist
PTACS | Last Updated on December 08, 2020
PTACs , or packaged terminal air conditioners, are an important part of Senior Living and other healthcare facilities. Keeping PTAC units in peak condition offers many benefits, including:
Protecting residents from dangerous temperature extremes . Elderly residents have a limited ability to adapt to rapid temperature changes, so it’s important to provide steady temperature levels. F-Tag 257 states that facilities “must provide comfortable and safe temperature levels,” and goes on to recommend a “temperature range of 71° to 81°F.”
Well-functioning PTAC units save energy and money . Properly maintaining your PTAC units can curb heating and cooling costs. This can result in annual energy savings of $40 to $50* per PTAC. Properly maintained PTAC units are also less likely to make unnecessary noise.
Proper maintenance extends equipment life . Catching small problems before they impair the PTAC’s operation can reduce the need for replacement parts and expensive service calls, while benefiting your HVAC system overall.
*Numbers based on national energy price average
PTAC Monthly Maintenance
PTAC Front Filters
Clean PTAC air filters at least once each month, or more often in a new facility or one with new carpeting. Clogged filters can cause major damage to your PTAC system components. In fact, dirty filters can decrease HVAC operating efficiency by as much as 20% while reducing energy costs.
To clean the PTAC filter:
1. Turn off and unplug the PTAC unit.
2. Remove the PTAC filters (for some PTACs, you may need to remove the front panel to access the filters).
3. Vacuum accumulated dust and dirt off the filters.
4. Discard damaged filters.
5. Rinse filters under running water.
6. Return filters to the PTAC and replace discarded filters with new ones. Complete this before plugging in and turning on the PTAC.
Keeping extra filters on hand will reduce potential heating and/or cooling downtime. You can trade them in to replace the dirty filters and have your PTACs running right away. Afterward, clean your dirty PTAC filters so they are ready for the next replacement cycle.
PTAC Room-Side Front Cover
Cleaning the room-side front cover of your PTAC unit on a monthly basis prevents dust and debris from settling on it. Dust can cause operational problems in the PTAC unit.
To clean the PTAC’s room-side front cover:
1. Turn off and unplug the PTAC unit.
2. Remove the room-side front cover.
3. Remove dust and dirt from the cover with a vacuum and soft brush attachment.
4. Clean the exterior of the cover with a mild soap and water solution.
5. Allow the cover to dry completely and reinstall before turning the PTAC back on.
PTAC Outdoor Vent Filter
If your PTAC unit operates with the outdoor vents open, clean the vent filter monthly to ensure it operates as efficiently as possible. This will keep air flowing freely. If the vents are closed, cleaning is not needed.
To clean the PTAC’s outdoor vent filter:
1. Turn off and unplug the PTAC unit.
2. Remove the room-side front cover.
3. Pull the PTAC from the sleeve and remove the filter.
4. Vacuum accumulated dust and dirt off the filter.
5. Rinse the filter with running water and allow it to dry completely.
6. Remove any dirt or debris from the bottom of the PTAC.
7. Replace the filter and slide the PTAC back into the sleeve.
8. Reattach the cover, plug in the PTAC and turn it on.
PTAC Seasonal Maintenance
PTAC Indoor Evaporator Coil
An air filter with dust and dirt on it can cause operational problems. To clean the PTAC:
1. Turn off and unplug the PTAC unit.
2. Remove the room-side front cover.
3. Inspect the evaporator coil for debris.
4. If PTAC cleaning is necessary, use a vacuum and soft brush to remove dust and debris.
5. If more PTAC cleaning is needed, use a spray bottle with a mild cleaner and vacuum the liquid with a wet/dry vacuum. Completely cover the electronic control box and knob area with plastic, held securely with duct tape.
6. Let the PTAC dry completely before reattaching the cover and turning it back on.
PTAC Blower Wheel
Keep your blower wheel clean to keep your PTAC unit operating efficiently. To keep things running smoothly, use the following cleaning process:
1. Turn off and unplug the PTAC unit.
2. Remove the room-side front cover.
3. Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to clean off each blower wheel blade.
4. Run the vacuum brush along the blower scroll surrounding the blower wheel to clean out additional debris.
5. Reattach the cover, plug in the PTAC and turn it on.
If you are worried about fungus or debris falling into a coil, insert a piece of cardboard between the blower wheel and the opening in the blower scroll.
PTAC Outdoor Condenser Coil & Base Pan
Dirty outdoor coils can increase your heating and cooling bills while decreasing the life of your PTAC units. PTACs located on lower floors tend to get dirtier than PTACs on upper floors and should be checked seasonally.
Outdoor coils on these PTACs may need to be cleaned more often to prevent premature failure of the compressor. This is especially true if the PTACs are exposed to construction sites, freeways, flowering trees and other pollutants.
To conduct this PTAC maintenance:
1. Turn off and unplug the PTAC unit.
2. Remove the room-side front cover.
3. Pull the PTAC from the wall sleeve and move it to an area with a service drain.
4. Remove plastic shroud to access the PTAC coils and base pan. Check the inside of the condenser coil for dirt or soot buildup.
5. Vacuum debris from the base pan using a wet/dry vac.
6. Apply a mild coil cleaner to coils and base pan with a spray bottle and rinse out using a hose with a spray attachment.
7. Vacuum remaining moisture with a wet/dry vac. Reattach plastic shroud after PTAC has dried completely.
8. Return the PTAC to the room and reinstall into the wall sleeve. Reattach the cover, plug in the PTAC and turn it on.
PTAC Wall Sleeve
Checking your wall sleeve can be done while completing any of the other seasonal PTAC maintenance steps when your PTAC is removed from the wall.
This includes:
1. Check the caulking around the sleeve to ensure the air and water openings are properly sealed. Caulk on all four sides, both inside and outside. Recaulk as necessary.
2. Check the level of the wall sleeve. It should be slightly tilted to the outside – about ¼ of the level of the bubble – or exactly level if an internal drain system is used. Relevel as necessary to ensure proper drainage.
PTAC Post-Maintenance Check: Clearance and Operation
After performing maintenance on your PTAC unit, verify it is operating properly.
1. Ensure indoor intake air and outdoor discharge air paths are not restricted or blocked. For proper operation, an 8-inch clearance is recommended between the PTAC and furniture or other surroundings.
2. Check the front cover for proper mounting. Inspect the cord and secure the electrical connections.
3. Verify the push buttons and knobs are in place and operational. The PTAC should work properly in heating and cooling modes.
Keeping Track of PTAC Maintenance
It is important to keep track of the maintenance performed on each PTAC unit in your facility. That way, when responsibilities or staff change, other members can see what has been completed and what is next on the list.
Download the PTAC maintenance schedule to track each unit .
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