By Eric Aiden
Key takeaways
- Choose a PTAC supplier that can quote more than one brand, provides spec sheets and submittals, shows a Canadian certification mark for every unit, and puts its quote in writing.
- Be clear about scope. AIDCO is supply-only: your contractor or in-house team does the work on site.
- AIDCO is an authorized distributor of Amana and Distinctions, an official Verdant thermostat distributor, and quotes in CAD for delivery anywhere in Canada.
A PTAC supplier is the company that sources packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs), heat pumps (PTHPs), vertical units (VTACs), controls and accessories from manufacturers and delivers them to your project. This checklist is for procurement teams, property managers, developers, engineers and contractors comparing suppliers for a commercial order.
What does a PTAC distributor actually do?
A PTAC distributor sits between manufacturers and the people who buy the equipment. It quotes units from one or more brands, matches them to the voltage, heat type and controls your project needs, supplies the documentation engineers review, and delivers to site on a schedule your trades can plan around. It does not replace your contractor.
In practice, that means four jobs:
- Quoting more than one brand or configuration so you can compare against a spec, a budget or an existing fleet.
- Matching units to what the project needs: voltage, heat type, controls and accessories.
- Documenting the order with spec sheets, cut sheets and submittals.
- Delivering to site, from a single unit to a full building.
AIDCO is a PTAC distributor in Canada that works supply-only. We do not install, repair or maintain equipment. From single replacements to full buildings of 300+ units, AIDCO has supplied thousands of PTAC units across the GTA, and we ship orders across Canada every month.
What should you look for in a PTAC supplier?
Test every supplier on your shortlist against the same written checklist. At a minimum, you want a written quote, documentation on request, a Canadian certification mark on every unit quoted, and a clear statement of what is supplied and what your contractor does. If a supplier cannot answer those points in writing, keep looking.
- [ ] Quotes more than one brand, so you are not locked into one product line
- [ ] Confirms voltage, amperage and heat type in writing before the order is placed
- [ ] Supplies spec sheets, cut sheets and submittals on request
- [ ] Shows a recognized Canadian certification mark for each unit quoted
- [ ] Can store units and release them in phases on larger projects
- [ ] Delivers to your province and quotes in Canadian dollars
- [ ] States the scope clearly: what is supplied, and what your contractor does
Once you have a shortlist, you can request a quote in CAD from AIDCO at ptac@aidco.ca or through the quote form.
What questions should you ask a PTAC distributor?
Ask the same questions of every distributor, in writing, and keep the answers with the quote. The goal is a comparison your purchasing team and your engineer can both review. A distributor that answers these for more than one brand is giving you a real basis for a decision rather than a single price.
- Which brands can you quote for this configuration, and can I see more than one option?
- Which voltages and heater sizes are available in the capacity we need?
- Is a heat pump (PTHP) version available?
- Which thermostats and energy management controls are compatible?
- What is current availability for this configuration and quantity?
- Can you provide a complete PTAC submittal package?
- What does the manufacturer warranty cover, and how are claims handled?
Why does Canadian certification matter?
Electrical codes in Canada require equipment to be approved to Canadian standards by a certification body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, and inspectors check the nameplate for the mark. Ask every supplier to show the Canadian mark, such as CSA, cUL or cETL, on the spec sheet for each unit on the quote before you approve the order.
Ontario's Electrical Safety Authority publishes the list of recognized certification marks. Your electrician or engineer confirms what applies in your province.
Which products should one supplier be able to quote?
A commercial supplier should be able to quote the through-wall units, vertical units, controls and accessories that appear on a typical equipment schedule, so one order covers the whole scope. The list below is a buyer-level map, not a specification. Use it to brief your request; the written quote confirms brands and configurations.
- PTAC units: through-wall units with cooling and electric heat.
- PTHP units: through-wall heat pumps with electric backup heat. See PTAC or PTHP.
- VTAC units: vertical units installed in a closet. See PTAC or VTAC.
- Thermostats: including occupancy-based controls. See occupancy-based PTAC thermostats.
- Sleeves, grilles and accessories for new openings or damaged parts.
AIDCO is an authorized distributor of Amana and Distinctions and an official Verdant thermostat distributor. We also quote GE Zoneline, Hotpoint, Frigidaire, Applied Comfort, Islandaire and Friedrich. One AIDCO quote can show two brands side by side for the same configuration. See multi-brand PTAC supply.
How do pricing and availability work for commercial PTAC orders?
Commercial PTAC orders are quoted per job, not sold from a fixed price list, because brand, capacity, voltage, heat type, controls, accessories and quantity all change the number. Availability depends on manufacturer stock for your exact configuration. Ask for pricing and availability in writing, and confirm release dates before you schedule trades.
AIDCO quotes in Canadian dollars. Planning a whole-building changeover? Read PTAC capital replacement planning.
What should you send with your first quote request?
Send the details that match your job type, and use the matching guide for the full list. Replacements start from model numbers and nameplate photos. New, renovation and engineered projects start from the equipment schedule, quantities and delivery details. A complete first request means fewer follow-up questions before you get a usable written quote.
- Replacing existing units: see how to order replacement PTACs.
- New, renovation or engineered projects: see the PTAC supply quote checklist.
- Documentation: say whether you need spec sheets, cut sheets or a submittal package.
Frequently asked questions
Does AIDCO install PTAC units? No. AIDCO is a supply-only PTAC distributor. Your own contractor or facilities team does the work on site.
Which brands does AIDCO supply? AIDCO is an authorized distributor of Amana and Distinctions and an official Verdant thermostat distributor. It also quotes GE Zoneline, Hotpoint, Frigidaire, Applied Comfort, Islandaire and Friedrich.
Does AIDCO deliver across Canada? Yes. AIDCO delivers anywhere in Canada, from single units to large project orders.
Can I get spec sheets and submittals before I order? Yes. Spec sheets and submittals are available on request.
Can AIDCO hold units for a phased project? Yes. AIDCO can store units and release them in phases, and can label deliveries by room type on request.
Ready to compare suppliers on a real job? Request a quote in CAD at ptac@aidco.ca or through the AIDCO quote form. Ask for spec sheets and submittals at the same time.