GE AZ85H18DAC, AZ85H12DAC, AZ85E09DAC, AZ85H09DAC Architect and Engineering Manual

ZONELINE®

Single Packaged
Vertical Units

ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS

DATA MANUAL

WHY VERTICAL
ZONELINE® ?

As the first manufacturer to introduce packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) to the
market, GE Appliances led the way in improving comfort and efficiency in lodging properties,
assisted living facilities and apartments. With the single packaged vertical units (SPVUs),
we’re doing it again. The SPVU offers an excellent alternative to standard PTACs for cooling
and heating a variety of rooms—giving guests and travelers home-like comfort wherever they go.

Addressing common complaints, like noise level and precision, the SPVU offers quieter
operation with greater temperature control. Closet installation allows for a more home-like
appearance with extra room for versatile design. Most importantly, it provides the cost
benefits of PTACs with the added flexibility of a central system, as the SPVU can serve a
single room or multiple rooms.

THE GE APPLIANCES ZONELINE® SINGLE
PACKAGED VERTICAL AIR CONDITIONER

The GE Appliances Zoneline® vertical air conditioner is available in ~9,000 BTUh, 12,000 BTUh or
18,000 BTUh cooling capacity, with either resistance heat or heat pump units with resistance heat
backup. Each cooling capacity is available in a dual-rated unit that operates on either 230 volts or 208
volts, and in a unit designed to operate on 265 volts. All units are equipped with a 3-element universal
heater that provides electric heat backup when connected with the appropriate 9-pin power connection
kit to 208-volt, 230-volt or 265-volt power. See page 11 for information on the power connection kits.

SYSTEM FEATURES

The single packaged vertical unit, (SPVUs), have a number of
features that help distinguish
them as the leader in the vertical unit industry. Each feature
is discussed in detail in the features and benefits section.

• Excellent efficiency and dehumidification

• Unique sleeve design for easier installation and service

• Three-way slide-out chassis service/maintenance flexibility

• Electronic Temperature Limiting (requires room
air temperature sensor accessory - RAVRMS)

• Freeze Sentinel (requires room air temperature
sensor accessory - RAVRMS)

• Constant ON fan (required in nursing homes in some states)

• Permanently lubricated fan motors

• Standard size air filter (20" x 20" x 1")

• Central desk control capability

• Occupancy sensor interface

• HI and LOW fan speeds controlled by remote thermostat

• 3-speed indoor fan motor for selectable HI and
LOW speeds

• Corrosion protection treatment standard

• Slinger ring condensate removal

• Indoor frost control

• Automatic compressor random restart

• Compressor restart delay

• Quick heat recovery (on heat pump units)

• Extended heat pump operation

• Reverse cycle heat pump defrost

SYSTEM ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS

• Installation platform (field supplied)

• Wall plenum

• Exterior grille

• Chassis

• Case

• Power connection kit

• Remote thermostat

• Filter (field supplied)

• Return air grille

• Ductwork (field supplied)

• Supply register
(field supplied)

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Equipment used as a primary source for heating or
cooling is an integral part of the building in which it is
installed. Proper application is essential for satisfactory
performance over a wide range of operating conditions.
It is strongly recommended that a professional engineer
determine proper application.

If this unit is a replacement unit, its specifications
and performance may differ from those of the unit it
is replacing. For that reason, we again strongly
recommend that a professional engineer determine
proper application.

• Warranty (including both parts and labor)

3

3

FEATURE S & BENEFITS

EXCELLENT EFFICIENCY
AND DEHUMIDIFICATION

GE Appliances recognizes the importance of energy
efficiency and dehumidification in an air conditioning
system and uses EER (Energy Efficiency Rating) as a means
of reporting the relative cooling efficiency of the unit.

EER is the cooling rating system used for single packaged
vertical air conditioners and heat pumps.

The GE Zoneline® single packaged vertical heat pump has
outstanding COP ratings. The measurement of the efficiency
of the heat pump output, when compared to electric
resistance heat, is called the Coefficient of Performance
(COP). This number provides a basis not only for comparing
the heat pump output to electric resistance heat, but also
the ability to directly compare heat pumps within the same
range of capacity to one another.

UNIQUE SLEEVE DESIGN

The SPVU case is installed on a field-supplied platform
and attached to the wall plenum with field-supplied screws.

See pages 8 and 15 for platform construction details.

The chassis slides into the sleeve, allowing for easy removal
of the unit for servicing and cleaning without the need to
remove condensate lines.

THREE-WAY SLIDE-OUT CHASSIS

The case is designed to allow the installation of the chassis
from the front or either side of the case. This provides
greater flexibility in building/room design and unit
placement. If access to the front of the unit is restricted by
a wall or furniture placement, the chassis can slide in from
either side of the case. If an alcove or offset is designed into
the building facade, the three-way slide-out chassis enables
the unit to be easily installed and removed for service.

ELECTRONIC TEMPERATURE LIMITING

Although the vertical unit is controlled by a wall-mounted
thermostat, there may be a need to prevent the temperature
from being set to extreme energy-wasting settings. The SPVU
has seven independent programmable heating and cooling
temperature limits. A wide selection of limits eliminates the
need to reset the limits seasonally. The temperature

limiting feature requires the use of the optional room
air temperature sensor, model RAVRMS. Designed to be

mounted on the room-side wall of the unit enclosure closet,
the room air temperature sensor allows any compatible
thermostat to be used with the unit and provide
temperature limiting.

The limits are set by dip switches located on the SPVU and
are not accessible by the room occupant. Location of the dip

switches are shown on page 14 and the temperature settings
are shown below.

COOLING TEMPERATURE LIMITS (DEGREES F.)

MIN 60° 64° 66° 68° 70° 72° 74° 76°

MAX 85° 85° 85° 85° 85° 85° 85° 85°

HEATING TEMPERATURE LIMITS (DEGREES F.)

MIN 60° 60° 60° 60° 60° 60° 60° 60°

MAX 85° 80° 78° 76° 74° 72° 70° 65°

FREEZE SENTINEL

To prevent damage to plumbing and room furnishings by
freezing temperatures, the SPVU includes Freeze Sentinel,
a feature which turns the resistance heaters on at 41° F.,
warms the indoor air to 46° F., and shuts the heater off. The

Freeze Sentinel feature requires the use of the optional room
air temperature sensor, model RAVRMS.

Designed to be mounted on the room side wall of the
unit enclosure closet, the room air temperature sensor
allows any compatible thermostat to be used with the
unit and provide Freeze Sentinel protection. Freeze
Sentinel protection is automatic with the installation
of the RAVRMS.

Even if the unit is connected to a central desk control
system or a room occupancy sensor system, and the unit
is turned off by the controlling system, Freeze Sentinel
is still active to provide protection. It may be defeated by
switching the unit’s ON/OFF switch to the OFF position,
removing the power supply to the unit or putting #2 dip
switch in DOW N position.

CONSTANT ON FAN

Some localities may require the indoor fan on single
packaged air conditioners to operate at all times, even
when the wall primary control would normally turn the
unit off. To accommodate this requirement and provide the
feature for use by anyone wanting to operate the unit in this
manner, GE Appliances has provided a switch on the SPVU
that will allow this mode of fan operation.

If the controlling dip switch (#3) is set in the UP setting,
the fan will run unless the unit’s ON/OFF switch is set to
the OFF position or power is removed from the unit.

PERMANENTLY LUBRICATED FAN MOTORS

The SPVU has two permanently lubricated, totally enclosed
fan motors. The motors are permanently lubricated to
reduce maintenance, and totally enclosed to keep dirt and
water out of the motor windings.

4

STANDARD SIZE AIR FILTER

A number of filters, providing varying degrees of filtering
efficiency, are available on the market today. GE Appliances
has designed the SPVU to accommodate a number of filter
placement options. All of the options designed for the unit
use a standard size 20" W x 20" H x 1" D filter. Since the
filter is field supplied, GE Appliances has allowed the owner
or property manager to decide which type of filter to use
with the unit.

A different size filter may also be used in a field-supplied
frame installed in a return air grille mounted in the closet
enclosure door or wall. If a different size filter is used,

it must be at least 20" W x 20" H x 1" D and provide
no more restriction to air flow than the standard
20"W x 20"H x 1"D filter.

The unit must not be operated without a filter in place,
even during construction.

GE Appliances provides three filter placement options
for design and installation flexibility. A filter bracket is
provided in the front panel of the Zoneline vertical unit case,
which allows the use of a louvered closet door. The bracket is
mounted to allow the filter to be inserted from
the top of the bracket rather than sliding in from the side,
where the enclosure wall may interfere with filter removal.

An access panel, accessory model number RAVRG1, for the
closet enclosure is the second filter placement option. The
access panel requires a 28" W x 48" H cutout in the unit
closet enclosure wall and provides access to the unit for
servicing and removal. The access panel should be located
in the wall such that the centerline of the access panel
matches the centerline of the case to allow for removal of the
chassis. The bottom of the access panel should be at least 1"
below the unit support platform to allow for easy removal of
the Zoneline Vertical Unit.

The third filter placement option provided by GE Appliances
is incorporated in a return air grille, accessory model
number RAVRG2, designed to be mounted in a flat closet
access door. The door must have a minimum clear opening
of 24" to allow for installation and removal of the unit.
GE Appliances recommends a 28" wide door. A 20-3/8" W
x 20 3/8" H cutout is required in the door to accommodate
the grille and filter bracket.

Only one filter is to be used in the installation. Multiple
filters will reduce the air f low and affect unit performance.
A clean filter is essential to efficient unit operation.
The filter should be checked at least every 30 days and
replaced if dirty.

CENTRAL DESK CONTROL (CDC)

Terminals are provided on the unit to allow a central desk
control system to be interfaced with the unit. The most
common installation of this type of system is a switch
mounted at the registration desk; and, upon guest check-in,
the switch is activated to allow the air conditioner to operate.

Likewise, when the guest checks out, the device is switched
to the “OFF” setting so the unit will not operate when
the room is not rented. In some resort areas, devices are
connected to sliding glass doors, and opening the doors
causes a contact to close, turning the air conditioner off.
This prevents the unit from running and wasting energy
with the sliding glass door open.

IMPORTANT CDC NOTES:

1. The unit requires the use of a normally open switch.

Closing the circuit interrupts power to the unit.

2. Both wires comprising the circuit must connect to the

CDC terminals on the unit and to the controlling switch.

Do not use a common buss (at the unit or at the switch
panel) in the wiring.

3. A 24-volt transformer is contained within the Zoneline

Vertical Unit. No external voltage may be applied to the
unit through the CDC terminals.

4. Minimum wire size for CDC wiring:

WIRE SIZE # AWG MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE LENGTH

#22 600 Ft.

#20 900 Ft.

#18 1,500 Ft.

#16 2,000 Ft.

OCCUPANCY SENSOR INTERFACE

The SPVU is equipped with a terminal connection to allow
it to interface with a field-supplied motion sensor and a
door sensor to allow a room occupancy detection system to
be connected to the unit. Various companies market and
install room occupancy systems as a means of reducing the
operating cost of the unit. GE Appliances does not market
or install these systems, but provides the interface terminals
on the unit and logic within the microprocessor controls to
permit these systems to be installed at a minimum cost to
the property owner.

HIGH AND LOW FAN SPEEDS

If the SPVU is connected to a wall thermostat without
the ability to provide two fan speeds, the fan speed will
be determined by connecting the wire controlling the fan
to either the low speed fan terminal or the high speed fan
terminal on the unit.

5

FEATURES & BENEFITS

3-SPEED INDOOR FAN MOTOR
FOR SELECTABLE HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS

Since the SPVU discharge air may be routed through
duct work for air distribution into the room and into
other rooms, the units are equipped with a 3-speed fan
that provides greater air movement to compensate for the
additional duct length. GE Appliances recommends an
HVAC engineer be consulted to determine the best fan
speed for the application.

A switch on the unit (dip switch #5-duct) adjusts the
two-speed fan system to different settings. With the
switch in the UP position, the system will operate using
high and medium fan speeds. With the switch in the
DOWN position, the system will operate using the
medium and low fan speeds.

For example, on the 9,000 BTUh unit, the three fan speeds
at 0.2" ESP provide 220 CFM on the lowest fan speed, 370
CFM on the medium fan speed, and 480 CFM on the
highest fan speed.

With the switch DOWN, the unit would provide 220 CFM
on LOW speed and 370 CFM on HIGH speed. With the
switch U P, the unit would provide 370 CFM on LOW
speed and 480 CFM on HIGH speed.

Higher CFMs tend to increase the operating sound level,
both from fan noise and from the air noise in the duct.
Higher CFMs also reduce the dehumidification rate of the
unit, while lower CFMs provide quieter operation and better
dehumidification. However, if the CFMs are not high enough
to adequately move the air through the duct system, the unit
will not be able to provide a comfortable room.

CORROSION PROTECTION
TREATMENT - STANDARD

All

SPVUs
damage from seacoast area corrosion.
Components that are in contact with
the salt air have special coatings or
are made of non-corroding materials
to help withstand the corrosive effects
of the environment. This protection

includes the use of totally enclosed fan motors with painted
casings, a special coating on the outdoor coil, use of stainless
steel screws and brackets, and additional paint on components
such as the base pan.

are protected against

SLINGER RING CONDENSATE REMOVAL

Condensate water removed from the indoor air is dispersed
into the air stream by the outdoor fan slinger ring and
deposited on the hot outdoor coil. The water helps cool the
refrigerant in the outdoor coil and increases the efficiency
of the air conditioner.

6

INDOOR COIL FROST CONTROL

Under certain operating conditions, frost can form on the
indoor coil of an air conditioner, reducing air flow and
cooling. In order to prevent frost from forming, the SPVU
has an automatic frost control on the indoor coil. When frost
begins to form on the coil, the compressor stops until the coil
temperature increases and the frost dissipates.

At this time, the compressor resumes operation and cooling
continues. The indoor fan remains running during the time
the compressor is off to help warm the coil with room
temperature air.

AUTOMATIC COMPRESSOR RANDOM RESTART

In the event of a power interruption, all compressors
attempting to restart immediately when power is restored
can result in a power surge that can cause another power
failure. The microprocessor in the SPVU has a random
restart logic system that prevents all compressors from
restarting at the same instant.

COMPRESSOR RESTART DELAY

SPVUs are designed to provide a minimum of three minutes
of compressor off time to allow refrigerant pressures to
equalize before attempting to restart. Attempting to
restart against a high head pressureshortens compressor
and overload protector life.

The units are also designed to provide a minimum of three
minutes of compressor run time to prevent short cycling
from disturbing the room occupant.

QUICK HEAT RECOVERY - ON HEAT PUMP UNITS

Heat pumps save money compared to electric resistance
heat, but if the unit cannot provide room occupant comfort,
the savings may be of questionable benefit. GE Appliances
has years of experience with designing Zoneline® heat
pumps to solve the problem of guest complaints.

The heat pump unit incorporates a two-stage heat/one-stage
cooling thermostat that utilizes the resistance heat to bring
the room temperature to the thermostat set point before
initiating heat pump operation. This method addresses the
two major complaints about heat pump operation: taking
too long to warm the room and low discharge air temperature.
Full electric resistance heat is utilized when the unit is first
turned on or when the unit is operating in heat pump mode
and the temperature in the room falls more than 4°F. b e l o w
the thermostat set point.