How to Debate Buying a Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner

A packaged terminal air conditioner offers multiple functions in one unit. The cooling and heating mechanism used in most hotel rooms, packaged terminal air conditioners have advantages and disadvantages that depend on your needs and budget.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Know your heating and cooling needs when you debate buying a packaged terminal air conditioner. Confined by the space that can be comfortably controlled, a packaged terminal air conditioner works well for individual rooms.

2. Understand the advantages that a packaged terminal air conditioner offers. One unit can both efficiently heat and cool a room and has a detailed panel with various options to control the temperature. Packaged terminal air conditioners are relatively easy to install and plug into a regular wall socket. Efficient for single-room heating, a unit can reduce your heating costs by 20 percent.

3. Compare the advantages to the disadvantages of buying a packaged terminal air conditioner. The unit can only heat and cool an area, not an entire home. There is no humidity control on a packaged terminal air conditioner so you must purchase a separate humidifier. Expensive to purchase and maintain, packaged terminal air conditioning units must be checked for filter changes and cleanings often. With proper care, a unit typically lasts 10 to 15 years and is not as energy efficient as a central heating or cooling device.

Tips & Warnings

• Hire a professional to install your packaged terminal air conditioner to ensure proper fit and safety.
• Make sure you have the proper voltage capacity to safely run a packaged terminal air conditioner before you purchase a unit.