Case Study: Improving Energy Efficiency in a 50-Unit Hotel with R32 PTACs - By Tony, HVAC Retrofit Consultant & Installer for Commercial Properties

📍 The Project: Green Leaf Inn, Coastal Florida

Property Type: Mid-range hotel (3 floors, 50 rooms)
Location: Sarasota, FL
Original System: 10-year-old R410A PTACs (non-inverter, fixed-speed)
New System: R32 PTAC units with variable fan speed and updated thermostats
Primary Goals:

• Cut utility costs

• Meet environmental standards

• Reduce maintenance calls and noise complaints

🎯 The Problem: Aging Units and Soaring Energy Bills

When I was called in, the hotel was bleeding money:

• $3,600/month in cooling-related electricity costs (May–Sept)

• Guests filing complaints about loud PTACs and inconsistent room temps

• Maintenance team averaging 2–3 service calls per week for cooling issues

• Management worried about the upcoming HFC phasedown and code compliance

🔧 “We had good occupancy but poor energy performance. Our PTACs were wearing out our margins.” – Operations Manager

🔍 The Assessment

Here’s what we found during the site survey:

• 47 of 50 units were R410A, nearing end-of-life

• Coils were rusting, fans out of balance, and airflow was inconsistent

• Many rooms had blocked return air due to poorly placed drapes and furniture

• Filters hadn’t been cleaned in 60+ days in most units

• Electrical supply was solid — no upgrades needed

So instead of patching up old units, we recommended a full switch to R32 PTACs.

🔄 The Retrofit Strategy

Installation Timeline: 5 days (10 units/day average)
Team: 2 certified HVAC techs, 1 in-house facilities lead
Prep:

• Delivered pre-labeled units to each room

• Removed old PTACs and disposed per EPA guidelines

• Verified sleeve dimensions — all sleeves reused

• Installed new exterior grilles and fresh insulation seals

• Synced units with programmable wall thermostats

🧰 Tony’s Note: The retrofit was plug-and-play. No wall mods, no new wiring — just smarter equipment.

📈 The Results: Measurable, Fast, and Impressive

💡 Energy Use

🧺 Maintenance

• Reduced to 1–2 minor calls/month (mostly filters or guest confusion)

• No refrigerant leaks or part failures after 6 months

• Quieter operation noted in 15+ guest reviews

🌎 Environmental Impact

• Replaced 410A units totaling ~230 lbs of high-GWP refrigerant

• New R32 units reduce total GWP footprint by over 70%

• Positioned hotel for future green certifications

👥 Staff Feedback

“They’re whisper quiet compared to the old ones. We’ve gotten compliments instead of complaints.” – Night Manager

“Easiest retrofit we’ve done. Tony’s team even left us with a maintenance checklist and spare filters.” – Facilities Lead

🔚 Final Takeaway

This project proves it: R32 PTACs aren’t just efficient — they’re turnkey-ready for real-world properties. If you're managing a 30- to 200-room hotel, especially in warm climates, you can:

✔️ Cut cooling costs by 25%+
✔️ Slash service calls
✔️ Meet EPA compliance early
✔️ Improve guest experience and satisfaction scores

Want to see what this would look like in your facility? I’m happy to spec units or provide install checklists.

👉 Start with the R32 models at The Furnace Outlet — they’ve got reliable stock, clear manuals, and competitive pricing.

Next topic will cover: R32 PTAC Sizing Recommendations for Hospitality and Commercial Use