With energy costs rising by nearly 30% across the board in recent years, ensuring that your PTAC units operate at maximum efficiency is crucial for significant savings. A dirty PTAC unit serves as a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, resulting in poor performance and a musty smell every time you turn the unit on. To maintain peak performance, it’s essential to establish a regular cleaning schedule for your units. Your commitment to these practices will not only enhance performance but also contribute to long-term savings.

Here are the benefits of properly cleaned and maintained PTAC units:

1. Energy Efficiency: Cleaned units consume up to 25% less energy than their dirty counterparts.
2. Improved Indoor Air Quality: Cleaning removes contaminants from the air, leading to better indoor air quality.
3. Reduced Breakdowns: Cleaned units experience fewer breakdowns compared to dirty units, as they don’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature in the area.

The best way to maintain the proper operation of your PTAC units is by having a regular cleaning schedule for the units.

• Weekly cleaning of the indoor air filters: Most PTAC units can be cleaned by simply pulling up on the filters. However, some units require removing the front cover to access the filters. Just remove the filters (which are essentially screens) and vacuum them clean. Filters that aren’t cleaned regularly can become clogged with dust and debris, resulting in reduced airflow and potentially causing icing of the coils. Ultimately, this can lead to damage to the unit. If filters are beyond cleaning or become damaged, they need to be replaced immediately to avoid further harm to the unit.
• Semi-Annual or Annual Deep Steam Cleaning: Most manufacturers recommend either annual or semi-annual cleaning of their units, depending on the property’s location. In most areas, annual cleaning suffices. However, if you’re near the coast or in tropical climates, a semi-annual deep steam cleaning is recommended. This thorough cleaning process involves the following steps:
  1. Removing the unit from the wall: This allows full access to the internal parts.
  2. Pre-treating the coils and pan: Use an appropriate emulsifier to break down dirt buildup.
  3. Steam cleaning: Clean the coils, blower wheel, compressor, pan, and heating element using low pressure to prevent bending of the coil “fins.”
  4. Post-cleaning anti-microbial treatment: Apply this treatment to the coils and pan to prevent microbial growth until the next cleaning.

If you’re unsure about the appropriate way to clean and maintain your PTACs, we offer a free demo to show you how it’s done. Book your free demo now!