When shopping for a 7,200 BTU Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) with electric heat, the first question many Savvy buyers ask is: “How efficient is it, really?”
That’s where EER and CEER ratings come in. These numbers tell you how much cooling you get for the amount of energy used—but they don’t always tell the whole story. This guide will help you understand what those ratings mean, how the Amana Distinctions 7,200 BTU PTAC stacks up, and what you can expect for real-world energy costs in both cooling and heating modes.
📖 Step 1: What Do EER and CEER Mean?
Before looking at Amana’s ratings, let’s break down the jargon.
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EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio):
Measures cooling efficiency in a controlled test.
Formula:Example: A 7,200 BTU PTAC using 720 watts = EER of 10.
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CEER (Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio):
A newer, more realistic metric that includes standby power consumption (when the unit is plugged in but not actively cooling).
👉 Why it matters: CEER usually ends up slightly lower than EER, but it reflects real-world use better.
📚 Reference: Energy Star – Understanding Room AC Efficiency
📊 Step 2: Typical Efficiency Ratings for the Amana Distinctions 7,200 BTU PTAC
Amana doesn’t always publish CEER for PTACs (as CEER is more common for room/window ACs), but their PTACs do have clear EER values.
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Amana Distinctions 7,200 BTU PTAC: ~9.8–10.0 EER (typical for entry-level PTACs).
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Standard Amana PTAC: ~11.0–12.0 EER (more efficient, higher upfront cost).
👉 In plain terms: The Distinctions line trades a bit of efficiency for affordability. For a guest room or light-use studio, the efficiency is “good enough.” For a hotel or heavy-use environment, the higher EER of standard PTACs saves money long-term.
📚 Reference: PTAC Central – Amana Product Specs
💰 Step 3: Real-World Energy Costs in Cooling Mode
To make efficiency real, let’s calculate operating costs.
🔹 Cooling Power Use
If EER = 10.0 and output = 7,200 BTU/hr:
That’s 0.72 kW per hour.
🔹 Cost Per Hour (U.S. Average Electricity Rate = $0.16/kWh)
🔹 Monthly Estimate (6 hours/day × 30 days)
That’s for moderate use in summer. In hotter climates where the unit may run 12 hours/day, expect about $40–45/month.
📚 Reference: EIA – U.S. Average Electricity Prices
🔥 Step 4: Real-World Energy Costs in Heating Mode
The Amana Distinctions PTAC includes a 2.5 kW electric heat strip, which equals 8,530 BTU/hr heating capacity.
🔹 Heating Power Use
2.5 kW × $0.16/kWh = $0.40 per hour.
🔹 Monthly Estimate
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4 hours/day × 30 days = $48/month.
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8 hours/day × 30 days = $96/month.
👉 Electric resistance heat is 3–4x more costly than cooling. If heating is frequent, a PTAC with a heat pump option is much more efficient.
📚 Reference: Energy.gov – Electric Resistance Heating
🌿 Step 5: Energy-Saving Tips for Savvy Users
Even with an entry-level EER, you can lower bills with smart use:
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Clean filters monthly – Dirty filters increase energy use by 5–15%.
📚 Energy Star – AC Maintenance Tips -
Seal the wall sleeve – Air leaks cause higher cooling/heating loads.
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Shade windows – Use curtains or films to reduce solar heat gain.
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Use thermostat wisely – Set cooling to 76–78°F, heating to 68–70°F.
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Turn off when unoccupied – Don’t run the PTAC for empty rooms.
📉 Step 6: Distinctions vs. Standard PTAC Efficiency
So how does the Distinctions 7,200 BTU PTAC compare to a standard Amana PTAC?
| Feature | Amana Distinctions 7,200 BTU | Standard Amana PTAC |
|---|---|---|
| EER | ~9.8–10.0 | ~11–12 |
| CEER | Not always published | Often slightly higher |
| Cooling Cost | ~$22/month (moderate use) | ~$18–20/month |
| Heating Cost (2.5 kW strip) | ~$48–96/month | ~$48–96/month (unless heat pump option, then ~30–50% less) |
| Best For | Guest rooms, studios, budget installs | Hotels, heavy-use, long-term energy savings |
👉 The difference in cooling costs is small in absolute dollars for one unit, but in a hotel with dozens of PTACs, it adds up quickly.
📚 Reference: AC Units for Less – PTAC Sizing & Efficiency
🧮 Step 7: Example Scenarios
Scenario A: Guest Room (Light Use)
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Room size: 280 sq ft
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Usage: 4 hours cooling/day in summer, 2 hours heating/day in winter
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Monthly cooling cost: ~$15
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Monthly heating cost: ~$24
✅ Distinctions is perfectly fine—low cost, low usage.
Scenario B: Studio Apartment (Moderate Use)
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Room size: 320 sq ft
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Usage: 6–8 hours/day year-round
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Monthly cooling: ~$25–30
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Monthly heating: ~$50–80
⚠️ Distinctions is okay but less efficient. If long-term, standard PTAC might save more.
Scenario C: Hotel Room (Heavy Use)
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Occupied 70% of nights/year, ~10 hours/day usage
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Cooling: ~$40–50/month per unit
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Heating: ~$90–100/month per unit
❌ Distinctions is not ideal—higher operating costs multiplied across units add up quickly. Standard PTACs pay off here.
✅ Savvy’s Takeaway
Here’s how Savvy would put it:
👉 “The Amana Distinctions 7,200 BTU PTAC is efficient enough for guest rooms, studios, and light-use spaces. Its EER rating around 10 means affordable cooling costs. But if you’ll run it heavily, or if heating is frequent, expect higher bills—especially since electric resistance heat is pricey. For heavy or long-term use, upgrading to a higher EER or a heat pump model makes more financial sense.”
🎯 Final Verdict
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EER ~10 = Good efficiency for light-use spaces.
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Cooling costs = ~$20–25/month for average use.
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Heating costs = Much higher ($50–100/month), since electric strips are less efficient.
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Best fit: Guest rooms, small studios, or budget-conscious installs.
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Not ideal for: Hotels or heavy-use environments where energy savings matter more than upfront cost.
In the next topic we will know more about: Maintenance Tips for Your Amana PTAC: Filters, Coils & Seasonal Care
