What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?

Knowing what size of air conditioner to install in your home is important. During the hot summer months, air conditioners are essential for keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. Whether you have central air, a window air conditioning unit, or a portable floor model, the right air conditioner sizing will keep you comfortably cool while saving you from high energy bills.

Why Air Conditioner Size is Important

The wrong air conditioner size can cause high energy bills and poorly controlled room temperatures. Air conditioners that are too big will cool your home too quickly so the unit will turn on and off continuously. Air conditioners that are too small constantly run trying unsuccessfully to cool your place down.

How Do I Know What Size Central Air Conditioner Do I Need?

So how do you determine what size of an air conditioner you need for your home? You have probably seen air conditioners with BTU measurements or sizes on them but without a clear understanding of what BTU really mean, it can be hard to figure out which unit is the right sizing of air conditioners for your home.

What is BTU?

BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is the international measure used to measure energy. It is used to measure how much energy it takes to change a room temperature. AC load calculations use tonnes to measure how many BTU’s can be removed per hour. For example, it takes one tonne to remove 12,000 BTU’s.

How Big of an AC Unit Do I Need?

Another way to measure your air conditioner size is by measuring the square footage size of your area. If your area is between 100 to 150 square feet, it will take 5,000 BTU’s to properly cool your room. Whereas, if your home is between 2,000 to 2,500 square feet, it takes 34,000 BTU’s to maintain a cool temperature. The bigger the room or home, the more BTU’s needed to cool the space. If your home is in between sizes, always go up to the next highest BTU measure.

There are many factors that are involved in choosing the right air conditioner size including:

• Home and room size
• Air quality and ventilation
• Type of insulation in walls and attic
• Number of windows
• Amount of natural light getting in
• Number of people who live in your home
• Ceiling height
• Type and condition of ductwork
• Amount and type of heat-generating appliances in your space
• An HVAC professional can complete an energy audit on your home to determine the right air conditioner sizing before you buy your AC unit.

All these factors effect how quickly or slowly your home cools. Consulting with a professional will ensure you install the right size air conditioning unit for your home. At HVAC Northwind, we offer free consultations to help you choose the right type and sizing of air conditioner unit. We will help you stay cool and comfortable inside when it is hot outside.

RELATED ARTICLE: What Is a Heat Pump