How Do I Know My AC System Is Sized Properly?
Living in the tropics of SW Florida means we are no stranger to the heat! It may seem logical to purchase the biggest AC unit you can find thinking it will cool your home faster and better. However, that is NOT the case. Read on to find out why.
Here’s A Quick AC Sizing Lesson
AC capacity is expressed in terms of BTUs and tonnage. BTU stands for British thermal unit. And, tonnage refers to an old standard of how many tons of ice a refrigeration unit could freeze in a day.
BTUs represent how much energy your air conditioner uses to reduce the temperature of one pound of water by one degree. Furthermore, the electricity your system uses to generate those BTUs is expressed in kilowatts per hour (kWh). One ton is equal to 12,000 BTU. For example, a 3-ton unit would generate 36,000 BTUs of cooling power and a 5-ton unit would generate 60,000 BTUs.
Can I Size My AC System Myself?
Although you will find online sizing guides, the best way to accurately determine the right size system is to have a licensed professional evaluate your home.
Our AC technicians are trained to perform a load calculation (Manual J) to determine the right size AC unit for your home.
AC System Too Big, Too Small, Or Just Right!
Many people are tempted to buy the biggest unit available. However, neither an undersized nor oversized system will produce cool air and maximum comfort efficiently.
An oversized air conditioner consumes more energy because it requires more electricity to run a bigger unit. In addition, an oversized air conditioner does not lower humidity very effectively. Why? Because it cools the air so quickly that it “short cycles” on and off.
Therefore, it never has a chance to circulate the proper volume of air through the system to remove that annoying moisture that makes us uncomfortable.
As a result, your room is not as cool as the temperature indicates. In fact, your room may feel clammy and damp. Therefore, we always recommend a thorough evaluation of the cooling and heating requirements of your home prior to purchasing a new system.
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An air conditioner that is too small will run non-stop and never cool your home to your desired temperature. Therefore, you may notice higher energy bills.
AC Sizing Is Influenced By Climate
Yes, AC sizing is strongly influenced by your climate; however, several other factors affect the size of the unit required including:
- Number of rooms and ceiling height
- Orientation of your home to the sun
- Amount of shade around your home
- Type of roof
- Condition of the AC duct system
- Quality of your insulation
As homeowners in Ft Myers and Cape Coral, Florida, our air conditioning system is our BFF. If you’re looking to upgrade or you think the size of your AC is an issue, we are here to help. In fact, we have a $1200 Rebate Coupon for select Trane AC models now through July 31.
How can we help you? Contact Us today: (239) 693-9005
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