Applied Comfort K PTAC: Replacement for McQuay K, EK, MEK, and PKES Units

Air Distributors Company is an authorized wholesale distributor of Applied Comfort products, including the K PTAC chassis. We supply HVAC contractors, property managers, facilities departments, and maintenance teams at wholesale pricing with no minimum order requirement.

The Applied Comfort K PTAC series is a purpose-built replacement for the McQuay K-type incremental PTAC line — including McQuay K, EK, MEK, RK, and PKES designations — as well as equivalent units from Singer, Remington, Islandaire (KF), and Retroaire. The K Series consolidates the original three-piece McQuay sectional design into a single integrated chassis, eliminating the need to source a separate heat section and simplifying the replacement process in the field.

Available in electric resistance (KEE), hydronic (KWE), and heat pump (KHE) configurations on 115V, 230-208V, or 277V power, the K Series covers the full range of heating and voltage requirements found across the McQuay K install base. All current K Series production uses R454B refrigerant.

McQuay K Series: The Original Incremental PTAC Platform

The McQuay Type K Series was introduced in 1958 as the first packaged terminal incremental unit in the industry. Its design proved so reliable that McQuay updated it continuously for over three decades under a succession of designations — EK, MEK, RK, and eventually PKES — each reflecting controls, refrigerant, and efficiency improvements while retaining the same chassis format and wall opening. As documented in McQuay Catalog 1375-3, the K-type dimensions never changed throughout the product line’s history, which is why replacement chassis for these units remain commercially viable today.

Singer and Remington also manufactured K-type incremental units to the same specification during this era. Retroaire’s R60, RC60, and RH60 models and Islandaire’s KF units share the same opening. All are direct replacement candidates for the Applied Comfort K Series.

The defining characteristic of the original McQuay K-type design was its sectional construction: the cooling chassis, heat section, and room cabinet were three separate, independently sourced components. Replacing a failed McQuay K-type unit historically meant coordinating three separate line items. The Applied Comfort K Series consolidates all three into a single integrated chassis, purchased through a single order from a single distributor. The existing wall sleeve and louver are retained; only the chassis is replaced.

K Series Model Families: KEE, KWE, and KHE

The Applied Comfort K Series is organized into three primary model families based on heating configuration. All three families share the same chassis footprint (sleeve size: 36×13 inches), the same three cooling capacities (9,000 / 12,000 / 15,000 BTU/Hr nominal), and the same electronic touchpad control interface.

KEE — Electric Resistance Heat

The KEE (fromerly KEC/KED) family provides air conditioning with electric resistance heat. Available on 115V (L suffix), 230-208V (K suffix), and 277V (R suffix) power supplies. Heat output configurations range from no electric heat (00) through 1.6, 2.5, 3.4, and 5.0 kW at 230-208V, and 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 kW at 277V. Both cord-connected and permanently-connected (hard-wired) variants are available. All KEE models require the ACCKEC_COLLAR accessory, ordered separately.

KWE — Hydronic (Hot Water or Steam) Heat

The KWE (Formerly KWC/KWD) family provides air conditioning with hot water or steam heat via an integral hydronic coil. Maximum water temperature is 210°F; maximum steam pressure is 2 psig. Hot water heating capacity at high fan speed is 16,200–16,400 BTU/Hr (per ASHRAE/AHRI conditions: 65°F entering air, 200°F entering water). Steam heating capacity at high fan speed reaches 20,800–21,100 BTU/Hr. KWE models require the ACCKWC_COLLAR_SLSRR collar, which also encodes coil supply/return orientation (LS/RS for supply, LR/RR for return) and must be specified at time of order.

KHE — Heat Pump with Backup Electric Resistance

The KHE family provides heat pump operation with backup electric resistance heat on 230-208V. Cooling EER ranges from 8.6 (12,000 BTU models) to 9.8 (9,000 BTU models). Heat pump COP ranges from 2.7 to 3.1 depending on capacity. Backup electric resistance heat options include 1.6, 2.5, 3.4, and 5.0 kW — activating automatically when heat pump output is insufficient. The KHE is the highest-efficiency heating option in the K Series line.

K Series Model Number Nomenclature

K Series model numbers encode heating type, cooling capacity, voltage, heat output, and cord configuration. The decoder table below covers each position in the model string.

Example — KEE12K25_6: K = K chassis | E = Electric resistance heat | E = Electronic controls | 12 = 12,000 BTU/Hr | K = 230-208V | 25 = 2.5 kW resistance heat | _6 = 15A LCDI cord

K Series Hydronic Collar Nomenclature

KEE Series — Electric Resistance Heat Specifications

Cooling and heating performance for KEE configurations. EER values are third-party laboratory verified on a dry coil. All models: R454B refrigerant, 138 lbs net weight, electronic touchpad controls.

Note: Heat kW options listed are maximums. Lower kW configurations available within each voltage/capacity combination. 115V models do not include electric resistance heat. Cord-connected (LCDI) variants carry _6, _7, or _8 suffix.

KWE Series — Hydronic Heat Specifications

Cooling performance and hydronic heating capacity for KWE configurations. Hot water ratings per ASHRAE/AHRI: 65°F entering air, 200°F entering water, 180°F leaving water. All models: R454B refrigerant, 138 lbs net weight.

Note: Maximum water temperature 210°F. Maximum steam pressure 2 psig. KWE models do not include electric resistance heat. Collar (ACCKWC_COLLAR_SLSRR) is required; specify supply/return coil orientation at time of order.

KHE Series — Heat Pump Specifications

Heat pump cooling and heating performance for KHE models (230-208V only). All KHE models include backup electric resistance heat. Net weight approximately 315–380 lbs depending on resistance heat configuration.

Note: KHE available on 230-208V only. Heat pump heating BTU/Hr shown at standard ARI conditions. Auxiliary resistance heat activates automatically when heat pump output is insufficient for setpoint demand.

K Series Accessories and Required Components

Important: A collar must be ordered with every K Series chassis — it is not included. KEE models require ACCKEC_COLLAR. KWE models require ACCKWC_COLLAR_SLSRR (specify coil supply/return orientation at time of order). The ACCKBAFFLE_UNIVERSAL universal baffle is required on all current R454B production units.

Legacy Brand Replacement Compatibility

The Applied Comfort K Series fits existing wall sleeves from the following legacy manufacturers. The original sleeve and louver are retained; only the chassis assembly is replaced. No wall modification is required in any of the configurations below.

If your legacy unit brand or model is not listed, contact Air Distributors at 800-866-1210 to verify compatibility before ordering.

Request Wholesale Pricing on Applied Comfort K Series Units

Air Distributors stocks Applied Comfort K Series chassis, collars, and accessories for B2B customers. We supply HVAC contractors, property managers, facilities departments, schools, and healthcare facilities with authorized Applied Comfort products at wholesale pricing.

Phone: 800-866-1210

Address: 913 Ulrich Ave, Louisville, KY 40219

Use the contact form on this page or call during regular business hours. Have your existing unit model number available to confirm the correct chassis, collar, and accessory configuration for your project.