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ASAP

Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

Last Updated: October 2007
See the federal standards main page to view current status

Packaged terminal air conditioners and heat pumps (PTACs) are combined heating and cooling assemblies typically found in motels. They are intended for mounting through the wall and include a prime source of refrigeration, separable outdoor louvers, forced ventilation, and heating availability by hot water, steam, or electric resistance heat.

Federal standards for PTACs were set under the Energy Policy Act of 1992.  This legislation adopted standards originally set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in 1989.  The standards have not yet been revised.  In 1999 ASHRAE set modestly higher standards for PTACs, but DOE did not accept these standards, concluding that higher standards are likely justified.  A formal rulemaking to adopt these higher standards is scheduled to be completed in Fall, 2008, effective 2012.

• Federal Documentation (DOE Web site)

There is no recent ASAP activity regarding PTACs.