What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?

Whether you’re building a new home or upgrading your existing HVAC system, there is one question you're guaranteed to ask: what size air conditioner do I need? Selecting the right AC size is a balancing act. Too large, and you could encounter poor humidity control and excessive energy costs. Too small, and the unit might fail to maintain comfortable temperatures on extremely hot days. Appropriate air conditioner sizing is crucial to enjoy an efficient, cost-effective and comfortable cooling experience.

The Importance of Sizing Your Air Conditioner Correctly

Ensuring your air conditioner provides the perfect cooling capacity is a matter of comfort and cost savings. Here’s why you shouldn’t just guess the appropriate air conditioner size:

Humidity control: An oversized unit cools too quickly, hindering humidity removal and leaving your home clammy. A correctly sized air conditioner will control indoor humidity levels more effectively.
Even temperatures: A well-suited air conditioner disseminates cool air evenly and decreases unpleasant temperature changes between cycles.
Peak day performance: A system that is too small can struggle to achieve the target temperature on hot summer afternoons, so you need a unit big enough to keep up with cooling demand.
Proper cycling: Air conditioners power on and off with sufficient run time during each cycle. Units that are larger than you need cycle too quickly, causing40 unnecessary wear and tear. Then again, an undersized system runs continually, which may cause overheating.
Manageable utility bills: Cycling troubles caused by installing the wrong size of air conditioner lead to higher utility bills. However, a unit that is the correct size will function as designed and keep your utility bills in check.

Understanding Air Conditioner Size

Cooling capacity is measured in British thermal units (BTUs). A BTU is a standard unit of energy that indicates the amount of heat an air conditioner can remove per hour. The majority of room air conditioners range from 5,000 to 18,000 BTUs. Because central air conditioners are larger, they’re usually measured in tons. A one-ton system is comparable to 12,000 BTUs. Many central air conditioning models range from 1 to 5 tons.

Sizing a Room Air Conditioner

When examining window or portable air conditioners, sizing primarily depends on the room’s square footage. Measure the space—length x width—and match it to the appropriate BTUs:

A room measuring 150 to 350 square feet usually will need to have a 5,000 to 8,000 BTU air conditioner.
A room measuring between 350 and 550 square feet could need an 8,000 to 12,000 BTU unit.
A large room or open area of 550 to 1,000 square feet may take a 12,000 to 18,000 BTU unit.

These general guidelines don’t take into account factors like interior heat gain or sun exposure. For a more precise calculation, seek expert advice from Robinson Service Experts .

Sizing a Central Air Conditioner

Choosing the perfect size of central air conditioner begins with the home’s square footage, but specific sizing demands a more in-depth look. HVAC professionals rely on load calculations detailed in Manual J to determine a home’s unique cooling requirements. Here are the elements that come into play:

Square footage: How large of a home you have substantially affects its air conditioning requirements, with larger homes generally requiring more cooling capacity.
Local climate: Where you live impacts your cooling needs as well. Areas with sweltering hot, humid summers generally demand a higher cooling capacity than cooler, drier areas.
Interior heat gain: The heat produced inside your home is made by people, lights, electronics and appliances. Increased internal heat increases your home’s cooling needs.
Insulation levels: The quantity of insulation in your walls, attic and floors has effects on how much heat gets inside. Well-insulated homes hold cool air more efficiently, decreasing the cooling load.
Air infiltration rate: This describes how much outside air gets in through leaks or cracks in the exterior of your home. Homes with a significant air infiltration requires more cooling to counter the warm, humid outdoor air that makes its way inside.
Home orientation and window layout: The direction your home faces influences its sun exposure, which in turn impacts your home’s cooling load. A single-family residence with expansive south-facing windows absorbs more heat and necessitates a more sizeable air conditioner than a north-facing condo.

Other Factors to Consider When Buying an AC

Besides knowing what size air conditioner you need, consider these additional factors when installing a new air conditioner:

Brand: Not all cooling systems are created equal. It’s vital121 to select a trustworthy brand for reliability and longevity.
Efficiency rating: The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) indicates the total heat an air conditioner can take out per unit of electricity it consumes. Higher SEER ratings represent greater efficiency, lowering your utility bills.
Maintenance requirements: Regular maintenance keeps your system working effectively. Most AC producers encourage yearly tune-ups to locate and repair small problems before they turn into expensive repairs.

Get Expert Help Sizing Your Air Conditioner from Robinson Service Experts

Choosing139 the best air conditioner size can be overwhelming. The Experts at Robinson Service Experts are here to assist with all your cooling and heating needs. We offer custom cooling solutions to boost home comfort, efficiency and energy savings.

From estimating your precise cooling requirements to helping you navigate different brands and efficiency ratings, we’re with you at every step. For help picking out the perfect air conditioner for your home in Waukegan, call 847-306-8730 today to schedule your appointment with Robinson Service Experts .