In several condo buildings in Westmount (and more broadly in downtown Montreal), you'll find a very particular type of unit: the PTAC (or VTAC), a "pass-through" unit installed under a window, with air intake and heat exchange integrated into a single casing. The photo clearly shows this design: a front air intake grille , horizontal airflow at the top , and a casing integrated into the furniture —typical of condo layouts where the goal is to maintain a clean look while preserving access to the unit.
At AirGreen , we regularly service these units because their performance (and especially air quality) depends heavily on maintenance. A PTAC unit may seem to "work" even when it's dirty... but it then works harder, heats/cools less efficiently, and often ends up generating odors , noise , or condensation problems .
What device are we looking at?
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Location (for service context) : Westmount
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Machine type : PTAC / VTAC (through-unit, condo format)
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Brand (supplied manually) : PTAC
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Model (consistent, not legible in the photo) : PTAC – through-residential series (condo format)
(On this type of installation, the identification plate is often behind the front panel or on the chassis; always confirm on site) -
Useful visual details : unit recessed under window, return grille on the front , top air outlet , access via front panel; presence of a carpet and a wooden floor to be protected during the intervention.
Why cleaning a GVWR is so important in a condo
A PTAC is a compact device, but it handles a lot: air circulation, heat exchange, sometimes supplemental heating, and humidity control. In a condo, where the air is often more "confined," it quickly becomes clogged with dirt.
The most frequent problems we see with GVWRs in residential areas:
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Reduced airflow (filters and coils are clogged)
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Damp or "old air conditioner" odors (condensate tray, biofilm, damp dust)
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Increased noise (fouled turbine/blower wheel, vibration, imbalance)
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Abnormal condensation (drain, tray, or disrupted slope/flow)
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Short cycle and discomfort (less efficient heat exchange)
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Higher energy costs (the device compensates for a lack of efficiency)
Our AirGreen approach: a complete, clean and safe cleaning
Since the unit is installed in a living room, our priority is twofold:
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Thoroughly clean critical areas.
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Protect the environment (floor, carpet, furniture, walls, curtains), especially when the unit is near a window and custom-made trim.
1) Surface protection and preparation
Before opening the device, we set up:
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Protection of the wooden floor (work mats / tarpaulins)
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Carpet protection (film or canvas, depending on the level of intervention)
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Control the space around the unit (avoid dust projections)
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Safe power-off according to the installation (switch, dedicated circuit breaker if applicable)
This step is essential: on a PTAC, dust often accumulates on the front and can be released during dismantling if you work “too quickly”.
2) Removal of the front panel and initial inspection
Once the front panel is removed, we systematically check:
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Condition of the filter (often clogged, sometimes deformed)
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Dust present on the evaporator coil
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Condition of the condensation tray
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Traces of mold or biofilm
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Turbine (blower wheel) fouling level
On PTACs, the turbine is a key point: it can be very dirty without the customer realizing it, and it is often the source of odors and noise.
3) Filter cleaning: the basics… but not the only step
The filter is the first barrier. We:
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Dust and wash (depending on the type)
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Let it dry properly
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Let's check its condition (rigidity, frames, drilled areas)
If the filter is too worn, it no longer protects the coil. As a result, the unit gets dirty much faster, and cleaning becomes more difficult with each visit.
4) Cleaning the coils: restoring heat exchange
The coils (evaporator on the inside) act as a heat exchanger. When they are full of dust:
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air doesn't pass through as well.
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Heat transfer deteriorates.
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Moisture can be deposited unevenly.
We generally proceed by:
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Controlled suction (soft brush)
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Clean with a suitable HVAC product (non-aggressive to the fins).
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Controlled rinsing depending on accessibility and risks to the indoor environment
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Slightly straighten the fins if necessary (without forcing them)
The goal is not to "wet the device", but to free the exchanger and prevent the dust from becoming a wet paste, which is conducive to odors.
5) Condensate tray and drainage: preventing odors and overflows
On a vehicle with a maximum authorized total weight (PTAC), condensation is normal in air conditioning mode. The problem arises when:
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The tank accumulates a biofilm .
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The flow is disturbed.
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Deposits form and ferment.
We clean and disinfect:
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the recycling bin
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flow points
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areas where water stagnates
Then we check the evacuation logic (according to the PTAC model) in order to reduce the risks of:
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droplets,
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persistent odors,
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Unnecessary ambient humidity.
6) Turbine/fan: the heart of comfort
A PTAC (Pulse Torque Controlled) engine can blow "strongly", but if the turbine is clogged, the blowing becomes:
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less efficient
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noisier
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sometimes irregular.
We carry out a precise cleaning:
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dust removal from the blades,
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removal of stuck-on deposits
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cleaning of the intake and exhaust areas.
This is often the step that most changes the daily experience: the air becomes “lighter”, the noise decreases, and the device finds a more stable operating curve.
7) Recommissioning and functional testing
Once the device is reassembled, we do the following:
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Airflow test
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Temperature check (air conditioning/heating mode if applicable)
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Listening for vibrations and mechanical noises
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Validation of operational stability (cycles, response, blowing)
And we always finish with a simple but important check: making sure that the unit does not release any odor upon restart, a sign that the cleaning has actually treated the source (and not just “removed the visible dust”).
What this cleaning actually changes for the client
After a complete cleaning of the PTAC in a condo, we generally observe:
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Cleaner air (fewer particles and odors)
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Improved air conditioning capacity in summer (less effort, more comfort)
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Noise reduction (cleaner turbine)
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Reduced risk of humidity and condensation problems
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Better consistency in Quebec winters (more stable heating, less local overheating)
In an environment like Westmount — well-insulated condos, large windows, solar variations — a clean PTAC helps enormously to maintain a uniform temperature without making the unit “work” continuously.
How often should a GVWR be serviced?
Without complicating things:
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Filter : ideally several times a year (depending on usage, pets, work, dust)
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Complete cleaning (coils, tank, turbine, inspection): once a year under normal use
(or more if the device is working intensively, or if odors/noise appear)
Conclusion: a well-maintained GVWR means lasting comfort
Even though this type of unit is compact and discreet, it requires serious maintenance. In a condo, the difference is quickly noticeable: comfort, odors, noise, humidity… everything is linked to the internal cleanliness of the unit.
At AirGreen, we perform this service with a method adapted to residential interiors: clean intervention, protection of surfaces, deep cleaning of critical areas, then complete tests before leaving.