Anyone ever had a PTAC unit sound like it's "groaning" in heat mode?

Submitted by Delicious_Adeptness9 t3_10rx90d in jerseycity

One of my PTAC units has been making an odd noise lately. It doesn't sound like the other units. It gradually works/wakes up and hums at an off-key tone, that sounds sort of hollow.

The heat has been working, but, when it hits the temp set on the thermostat, it audibly powers down like it's dying. It's a Suburban Dynaline model that is about 15 years old. I keep the temp cool, around 60-65, so it's not working nonstop

Should I call a tech to check it out? Or disregard as long as it's working?

Power down whine starts at 0:30: https://youtu.be/0w7YfQB2rJs

Power up whine starts at 0:04: https://youtu.be/xNbL0wgi7S0

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imaluckyduckie t1_j6yifqw wrote

Suburban Dynaline is a natural gas fired PTAC. 100% the sound is coming from a bad combustion chamber. The rest of your units are probably starting to go too, but the whine is probably not louder than the fans yet. A combustion chamber is a few hundred to replace plus the service call. At 15 years old, you're nearing the end of its life expectancy, so I would think you're better off replacing it. Islandaire makes a drop in replacement that is significantly quieter.

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pixel_of_moral_decay t1_j6yj8xe wrote

Agreed with this. Life expectancy on most of the parts is about 10-12. I’m not even sure I’d even attempt a repair because a tech is going to need to be paid just to look at it unless you negotiate deducting that from a replacement.

Even if you fix it, fan motor is likely almost ready to go. AC compressor not far behind. Each time that’s a couple hundred bucks.

I’d start looking at a replacement. Stock on HVAC equipment isn’t exactly great so even if you buy today might be a while before you get one installed. I know some neighbors are expecting a few months wait for replacements.

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imaluckyduckie t1_j6yjw4q wrote

If you're in a larger building where the PTACs are all original, you could do well trying to organize a group-buy with your neighbors who are probably also looking to replace their PTACs.

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Delicious_Adeptness9 OP t1_j6ylrb5 wrote

Dang. I'm a renter, and the owner-landlord was difficult to work with last year when the same PTAC unit stopped blowing cold air on cool mode. Knowing the units are original 15+ years old, I suggested replacing them and he nearly blew up at me! I hardly ever contact him these days, and it's been months since we've communicated, aside from sending monthly rent checks.

So, last June, first tech came and recommended replacing compressor ($1000+), but second tech came and said all it needed was a new condenser coil ($100-$200), and that worked.

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