What is the Right Size for an Air Conditioner?
Size matters for an air conditioner, as an incorrectly sized unit can compromise indoor comfort and lead to high energy bills
A well-functioning air conditioner gives homeowners the much-needed respite from the rising summer heat. When buying a new air conditioner or upgrading an existing unit, getting the size right is essential to cool the house adequately and ensure optimum comfort.
Why does air conditioner size matter?
Size matters for an air conditioner, as an incorrectly sized unit can compromise indoor comfort and lead to high energy bills. Oversized air conditioners will cool the space quickly, and the system will turn on and off constantly. The repeated on-and-off cycle can cause the system to wear out prematurely and shorten its lifespan. Similarly, an undersized unit will run constantly, use extra energy, and not cool the home properly. The right air conditioner size ensures more energy-efficient cooling throughout the house and reduces wear and tear.
How to size the air conditioner correctly
The size of an air conditioner does not refer to its physical dimensions. Instead, it means the unit's cooling capacity, measured in tonnage or BTUs (British Thermal Units). Larger air conditioners with high BTU ratings have higher cooling capacity. BTU is the energy required to remove heat from a particular area in an hour. For example, a 24000 BTU AC unit can remove 24000 BTUs in one hour. Air conditioners with higher BTUs are more powerful.
As a rule of thumb, ACs need 20 BTUs to cool one square foot of home space with an average ceiling height. The right AC size will depend on the home's size and the unit's placement. Measure the room and get the square footage by multiplying the length and width. Calculating the correct number of BTUs needed to cool the room is essential. Multiply the square footage by 20 to get the minimum BTU air conditioner required to cool that room.
Homeowners looking to buy a central air conditioning unit should calculate the square footage of the entire home. Sometimes, the AC measurements are in tons. One ton equals 12,000 BTU, 1.5-ton equals 18,000 BTU, 2-ton equals 24,000 BUT, and a 5-ton AC equals 60000 BTU. Usually, a residential window air conditioner has a BTU of around 5,000 to 10,000, while the average BTUs for residential central air conditioners can range between 20,000 and 50,000.
Although square footage is critical to determine the correct air conditioner size, other factors also need consideration that can indicate the air conditioner size required is higher than what the square footage calculation suggests.
A room with a higher ceiling, direct sun exposure, occupants, and various heat-generating appliances requires an air conditioner with a higher BTU per square foot. Homeowners can use BTU calculators, which combine other factors and square footage to suggest the right air conditioner size. Other vital factors to take into consideration that determine the right size for an AC include:
The region's climate
Home insulation
Ductwork quality
Number of doors and windows and their quality
Relative humidity
Home's layout, direction, and construction material
Choose the correct AC size
If you can't figure out the right size AC for your home, the best way is to consult a professionally trained technician. Reputable AC service companies have experienced technicians to help size the air conditioner correctly.
When you need heating or refrigeration service, maintenance, or repair, call us at Affordable Comfort A/C and Heating at 602-574-1205.
