Replacing a PTAC Wall Unit With a Ductless Mini Split in Georgetown, Texas

Updated September 2026 · ATX Mini Split King, Austin and Central Texas

If you live in an older Georgetown home, a converted garage, or an apartment that came with a through the wall hotel style air conditioner, you already know its limits. That unit is called a PTAC. A ductless mini split can replace it with quieter, more even cooling. This page explains exactly what that involves, from the wall patch to the line set, and when it makes sense to wait.

Flat pricing, everything included

Those are materials and labor together, wired to code by a TDLR licensed contractor. Anything non standard gets quoted first, before a single tool comes out of the truck: a very long line set, an electrical panel that needs work, a difficult mount, a roof or masonry penetration, disposal of the old equipment. You hear the number before we start, not after.

What a PTAC Is and How It Works

A PTAC is a packaged terminal air conditioner. It is a single metal box that slides into a sleeve built into an exterior wall. The sleeve is typically about 40 inches wide and 16 inches tall. The unit has a compressor, condenser coil, and evaporator all in one chassis. It draws air from the room, cools it over refrigerant coils, and blows conditioned air back out. Heat from the condenser is pushed outside through a vent in the back of the unit. Some PTACs also have electric resistance heat strips for winter.

These units are common in hotels, motels, and older apartment buildings because they are cheap to manufacture and quick to install. In Georgetown you will find them in older multi family buildings near the downtown square, in converted motels along Interstate 35, and in some single family homes where a room was added on later. They run on standard 115 or 230 volt circuits and are controlled by a simple thermostat on the front. The wall sleeve stays in place even when the unit is removed, leaving a large hole behind.

Honest Pros of a PTAC System

The main reason people still have a PTAC is its low upfront cost. A basic unit can be bought for a few hundred dollars and slid into an existing sleeve. There is no ductwork to install and no need for a contractor if the sleeve and electrical are already in place. They are self contained so each room can be cooled independently. This works well for a guest house, a finished attic, or a sunroom where you do not want to run ducts from the central system.

PTACs are simple to operate and easy to replace when they fail. Many landlords like them because they can swap a broken unit in minutes. In Georgetown, some older historic homes along Elm Street or near the university have them in converted bedrooms. They also handle mild Texas winters fine because the electric heat is adequate for a small space. For a single room that gets little use, a PTAC can be a practical no frills solution.

Honest Cons and Limits of a PTAC

PTACs have real drawbacks. They are loud because the compressor and fan sit right inside the room. You hear cycling on and off all night. They cool unevenly and often leave cold spots near the floor. The large sleeve lets outside air leak in even when the unit is off, wasting energy. In Georgetown's long 100 degree summers, a PTAC struggles to keep a larger bedroom or living area comfortable. The compressor can freeze up on humid days.

These units are not efficient. They run constantly to maintain temperature and cost more to operate than a ductless mini split. The plastic front covers yellow and crack. The metal chassis rusts in the humidity. They also block part of the window or wall, and the sleeve is an ugly feature. In older Georgetown homes where the sleeve was poorly installed, water can seep in and cause rot. Repairs are often not worth it after a few years because the whole unit needs to be replaced.

Signs Your PTAC Is Nearing the End of Its Life

If your PTAC runs nonstop but the room never reaches the set temperature, the compressor or refrigerant charge may be failing. Loud rattling, grinding, or clicking sounds mean bearings or the fan motor are worn out. Water pooling inside the unit or on the floor indicates a clogged drain or cracked pan. Ice forming on the coils on a hot day is a sign of low refrigerant or a bad airflow problem. Burning smells or tripping breakers point to electrical issues.

Most PTACs last 10 to 15 years. After that, parts become hard to find and repairs cost nearly as much as a new unit. If the wall sleeve itself is rusted or the caulking around it is cracked, air and water will leak in. You may also feel drafts even when the unit is off. If your electric bill has crept up and the unit seems to run all day, it is likely losing efficiency. These are all clear signs that replacement is worth considering.

What a Ductless Mini Split Replacement Involves for This System Type

The first step is removing the old PTAC and its wall sleeve. Our crew will pull the unit out, cut out the sleeve, and patch the opening with lumber, insulation, and drywall. Then we texture and paint the patch so it matches your wall. That closes the big hole permanently. Next we mount the indoor head unit on a wall or ceiling in a spot that makes sense for your room layout. The outdoor condenser goes on a concrete pad or wall bracket outside, often near the old sleeve location.

A small hole about three inches wide is drilled through the exterior wall for the refrigerant lines and condensate drain. We run these lines from the outdoor unit to the indoor head. The condensate drain is sloped so water flows outside without a pump. For the electrical side, we tie into an existing circuit if it has enough capacity, or we run a new dedicated circuit from your panel. The whole job is usually done in one day. Our crew handles everything from the removal to the final test. We quote any non standard work like long line sets, a panel upgrade, or unusual mounting before the job starts.

You as the customer have a few decisions to make. Where do you want the indoor head? Above the patched wall hole or on a different wall? Where should the outdoor unit sit? If you have a second room you also want to cool, we can add a second indoor head to the same outdoor unit at a flat price of $2,500 for two heads or $3,500 for three. Every installation includes all materials and labor. Any extra like a condensate pump or structural reinforcement is quoted upfront.

When NOT to Switch to a Ductless Mini Split

If your PTAC is less than five years old and running fine, repairing it is often cheaper than replacing the whole system. A new circuit board, fan motor, or compressor can buy you several more seasons. If you only need cooling for a small room a few weeks a year, you may be better off with a window unit or a portable AC. In a rental property where you plan to sell soon, replacing a working PTAC is not a good investment.

If your home already has central ducted air that works well for the rest of the house, adding a mini split for one room may not be worth the cost. Also, some historic districts in Georgetown may restrict visible outdoor equipment. Check with your HOA or city before proceeding. If your budget is tight and you can wait, running the old unit one more season gives you time to save. We are honest about these cases because a mini split is not always the right answer.

Questions people actually ask

How much does it cost to replace a PTAC with a mini split in Georgetown?

For one indoor head our flat price is $1,500 including all materials and labor. Two heads are $2,500 and three heads are $3,500. If your installation needs long line sets, a panel upgrade, awkward mounting, or a condensate pump, we quote that before work starts. No hidden fees.

Will the new mini split be quieter than my old PTAC?

Yes. Ductless mini splits have the compressor located outside, so the indoor unit runs much quieter than a PTAC. You will notice a significant reduction in noise, especially at night. The indoor fan is also variable speed, so it isn't always cycling on and off loudly.

How long does the installation take?

Most single head replacements are done in one day. Our crew arrives in the morning, removes the old PTAC and sleeve, patches the wall, mounts the indoor and outdoor units, runs the line set and electrical, and tests the system. By late afternoon you have a working mini split.

Do I need a permit for this work in Georgetown?

Our crew handles all required permits as part of the job. We are a TDLR licensed contractor and work to code. We coordinate with the city of Georgetown when needed. You don't have to worry about paperwork.

What if my PTAC still works but I want better cooling?

That is a personal choice. If you are unhappy with the noise, efficiency, or comfort, a mini split is a big improvement. But if the PTAC is only a few years old and you are on a tight budget, waiting a season or two is reasonable. We can help you decide based on your specific situation.

Keep reading

Every replacement guide we have written is listed on the replacement guide hub. Next door to this page: replacing a ptac through the wall hotel style unit with a ductless mini split in pflugerville, replacing a ptac through the wall hotel style unit with a ductless mini split in kyle. Pricing, service area and the quote form all live on the ATX Mini Split King home page, and the Austin mini split cost guide covers what the rest of the market charges.