The RS Story: From the First Packaged Terminal Heat Pump to Today's Replacement
A lot of PTAC history runs through one unit. The S, ES, and RS family was developed in the late 1970s as an upgrade to the popular EA PTAC. The RS was the first packaged terminal heat pump.
Three versions, one platform
- S: used with hydronic heat from the building's boiler.
- ES: electric strip heat.
- RS: heat pump, and the most common configuration, because it cost less to run.
Many names
The unit was first made under the Remington name and later built under the Singer and McQuay names. McQuay was bought by Daikin and became Daikin Applied. In 2014, Daikin Applied stopped making all PTAC units. That left buildings full of RS units with no factory replacement.
Today's RS
Applied Comfort Products builds its own version of the RS with current components, higher efficiency, and quieter operation. The Applied Comfort RS replaces the original Remington, Singer, and McQuay RS, ES, and MQT units.
Why replace instead of repair
An RS that is 30 or 40 years old can often be kept alive with parts, but each repair buys less time. A new chassis brings:
- Lower energy use than a decades-old compressor and fan
- Quieter operation in guest rooms and apartments
- Electronic controls
- A warranty
Because it is built for the original opening, the replacement does not require changing the sleeve or the louver.
What to have ready
The nameplate model number tells us whether you have an S, ES, or RS, and the voltage and heat options. If the plate is gone, measure the inside of the sleeve and photograph the unit. Air Distributors has been a stocking distributor for Applied Comfort since 1994 and ships nationwide.
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.