Replacing McQuay K, EK, MEK, and PKES PTACs
McQuay introduced the Type K in 1958 as the first packaged terminal incremental unit in the industry. The design held up so well that McQuay kept updating it for more than three decades as the EK, MEK, RK, and finally the PKES, without ever changing the wall opening. Singer and Remington built K-type units to the same specification. Thousands are still in the wall.
The three-piece problem
The original K-type was sectional. The cooling chassis, the heat section, and the room cabinet were three separate components, bought separately. Replacing a failed unit meant tracking down three line items, often from different sources.
The Applied Comfort K Series combines all three into one chassis. You order one item, keep the existing wall sleeve and louver, and replace only the chassis.
What it replaces
- McQuay K, EK, MEK, RK, and PKES
- Singer and Remington K-type units
- Islandaire KF
- Retroaire R60, RC60, and RH60
All share the same opening. The K Series fits a 36" x 13" sleeve.
Three heat types
- KEE (formerly KEC/KED): electric resistance heat on 115V, 230/208V, or 277V. Heat runs from 1.6 to 5.0 kW at 230/208V and 2.0 to 4.0 kW at 277V. 115V models have no electric heat.
- KWE (formerly KWC/KWD): hot water or steam heat from the building's system. Maximum water temperature is 210°F and maximum steam pressure is 2 psig. Hot water heat at high fan speed is about 16,200 to 16,400 BTU/h.
- KHE: heat pump with electric backup on 230/208V, the most efficient heating option in the line, with a COP of 2.7 to 3.1.
All three come in 9,000, 12,000, and 15,000 BTU/h cooling and use R-454B refrigerant.
Collars: the part people forget
The K Series needs a collar, ordered separately. Electric models use the ACCKEC_COLLAR. Hydronic models use the ACCKWC_COLLAR_SLSRR, and that collar also sets the coil's supply and return orientation: left or right supply, left or right return. Look at which side the pipes enter on the old unit and specify it when you order. Getting it wrong means re-piping in the field.
Reading the model number
In KEE12K25_6, K is the chassis, the first E is electric heat, the second E is electronic controls, 12 is 12,000 BTU, K is 230/208V, 25 is 2.5 kW of heat, and _6 is a 15 amp LCDI cord.
Ordering
Send the model and serial number from the old unit's nameplate, or the inside sleeve dimensions, through the contact form or call 800-866-1210. We confirm the fit before anything ships.