HVAC Tips
AC Sizing Guide: How Window Gains and Low-E Glass Impact Comfort
If your living room bakes while the basement freezes, your windows may be to blame. This guide explains how solar heat gain and poor insulation drive oversized AC loads and how upgrading to low-E glass can cut HVAC demand by 10–15%.
HVAC System Sizing Safety Factors: Best Practices and Hidden Oversizing Costs
Oversizing an HVAC system doesn’t mean safety it means wasted energy, poor humidity control, and early breakdowns. This guide explains what a “safety factor” really is, how Manual J and Manual S prevent hidden padding.
PTAC Cost Breakdown: Equipment, Accessories, Install & Energy Use
(Mike here. When I first looked at buying a PTAC, I thought I was just paying for the unit itself. The sticker price looked pretty good compared to...
Noise & Placement Considerations: Will a PTAC Be Too Loud for Your Bedroom?
(Mike here. If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel, you’ve probably slept next to a PTAC unit. Some are whisper-quiet, others hum like a truck outside yo...
Wall Sleeves & Grilles 101: Choosing the Right Accessories for Your PTAC
Mike here. When I bought my first PTAC unit, I figured the box was all I needed. I unboxed it, lugged it to the wall opening, and then realized—uh ...
Do PTAC Units Qualify for Rebates or Tax Credits in 2025?
(Mike here. When I first started looking at PTACs, I had one big question: can I knock down the price with rebates or tax credits? In 2025, the sho...
Amana vs. GE vs. Hotpoint: Which PTAC Brand Does Mike Recommend?
(Mike here. When I went shopping for a PTAC unit, I quickly realized three brands kept popping up: Amana, GE, and Hotpoint. They’re everywhere — in...
Troubleshooting Guide: What to Do If Your PTAC Isn’t Heating or Cooling Right
(Mike here. I’ve lived with PTAC units for years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that eventually — usually on the hottest day of summer or t...
Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Amana PTAC Running Like New
(Mike here — the guy who’s lived with PTACs long enough to know that a little TLC makes a big difference. Your Amana PTAC can run strong for 10+ ye...
Installation Guide: What Mike Learned Installing His Amana PTAC
(Mike here — the guy who’s spent too many weekends with a toolbox in hand. If you’re thinking about installing an Amana Distinctions 14,700 BTU PTA...
Electric Heat vs. Heat Pump PTACs: Which One Makes More Sense for Your Space?
(Mike here—your go-to DIY homeowner voice. If you’re standing in the PTAC aisle scratching your head about whether to grab the electric heat model ...
Is 14,700 BTUs Enough? Mike’s Guide to PTAC Sizing for Rooms & Apartments
(Mike here—your practical, cost-conscious homeowner. If you’re staring at a PTAC spec sheet wondering whether a 14,700 BTU Amana Distinctions unit ...