What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need? How to Calculate Air Conditioner Size

When choosing an air conditioner, it is important to choose the right size based on the space you want to provide cooling. Here is a guide to help you determine the right BTU (British Thermal Unit) for your room or apartment.

Learn where you are:

Calculate the area to be cooled by multiplying the length by the width of the room(s).

For adjacent areas, count each area individually and add them all together.

Check out the schedule:

Use the following example and chart to find the right BTU capacity for your space.

Examples:

Single occupant apartment:

Room Size: 10' x 12' = 120 sq.ft.

BTU Calculation: A room this size needs 5,000 BTUs.

Nearby rooms:

Room #1: 10' x 11' = 110 square feet.

Floor #2: 8' x 10' = 80 sqft.

All 190 square feet.

BTU Calculation: 6,000 BTUs are required to cool two rooms.

Changes based on other factors:

Heavily Shaded Room: Reduce BTUs by 10%.

Sunny space: Increase BTUs by 10%.

Additional residents: Add 600 BTUs per person.

Kitchen: Add 4,000 BTUs.

Typical room sizes and BTU requirements:

8 X 10 = 80 sq. ft. | 5,000 BTU's Needed

9 X 10 = 90 sq. ft. | 5,000

10 X 12 = 120 sq. ft. | 5,000

11 X 13 = 143 sq. ft. | 5,000

12 X 12 = 144 sq. ft. | 5,000

12 X 14 = 168 sq. ft. | 6,000

13 X 19 = 247 sq. ft. | 6,000-7,000

14 X 18 = 252 sq. ft. | 7,000

16 X 20 = 320 sq. ft. | 8,000

 

Make sure your space is cooled enough by choosing an air conditioner with the right BTU capacity.

 

Air Conditioning Specification

 

BTU ratings explained

 

All air conditioners will have a BTUh or BTU rating. Both are units for measuring cooling capacity.

 

BTUh (British Thermal Unit per hour) is a unit of measurement of the cooling capacity of an air conditioner in one hour, also known as “tonnes”. A one-ton air conditioner removes 12,000 BTUs of heat per hour.

 

A BTU (British Thermal Unit) is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

 

SEER ratings explained

 

SEER ratings indicate the energy efficiency of air conditioners. SEER means energy efficiency over time and is the amount of cooling supplied during the entire cooling period, divided by the total amount of electricity consumed The higher the SEER rating the system is energy efficient. Some units may have ENERGY STAR® certification which means they use at least 8% less energy than traditional models.

 

 

Variables That Might Impact the Size of Air Conditioner

 

The major element for deciding on the proper sized air conditioning device is the rectangular pictures of your own home. However, there are some different variables that come into play that could have an effect on how correctly your device can cool.

 

Climate

 

Warm weather areas run AC units for greater than simply the summer time months, and might advantage from a unit with a better SEER rating.

 

Home Exterior

 

The coloration and type of material on your private home’s exterior can have an effect on how a whole lot warmth is absorbed or reflected. Some examples consist of: lighter hues mirror warmness from the solar, brick absorbs and keeps heat longer and vinyl siding offers accurate insulation.

 

Shade and Sun Exposure

 

South- or west-dealing with homes usually take longer to cool because of heat from the solar publicity throughout the summer time. Homes with plenty of shade or people who face generally north or east, are subjected to less solar exposure and are, in preferred, cooler.

 

Insulation

 

The insulation in your home performs a main position in maintaining warmth out and cool air in at some point of the summer season and vice-versa in the iciness. A nicely-insulated house will preserve your air conditioning unit walking extra successfully.

 

Windows

 

Windows can be a supply of electricity loss in a domestic, mainly if they're single-paned and you've loads of them. Single-pane windows are less strength-green than double-pane, triple-pane or low-emissivity movie-lined home windows. Energy-efficient home windows can lessen the tonnage requirement for an AC unit.

 

Ceiling Height

 

Homes with excessive ceilings have more extent than a room with a general nine-foot ceiling peak. You will need to calculate one or BTUs better than what is usually recommended for the square photos of the room to chill the room more efficaciously.

 

equipment producing heat

 

Kitchens and laundry rooms have heaters. These buildings will need more BTU for cooling.

 

 

Tips to Save Money on Air Conditioning

 

Who doesn’t need to store money on air conditioning even as maintaining consolation? If you’re trying to do both, right here are a few realistic guidelines to help you get there:

 

Set your thermostat accurately: Keeping your property at an energy-efficient temperature is a exceptional manner to store money and the environment. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends retaining your house at seventy eight stages Fahrenheit inside the summer and around sixty eight to 70 within the iciness. You can then use a programmable or smart thermostat to regulate temperatures robotically for while you normally get domestic or go to bed.

 

Seal and insulate: If you’re feeling the heat, it’s probably because your private home is not properly sealed or insulated. Proper insulation continues your private home cooler, lowering the workload for your AC unit.

 

Regular preservation: Regularly smooth the air filters regularly to make certain proper airflow and efficiency. Schedule professional preservation to easy coils, check refrigerant ranges and identify any issues.

 

Upgrade appliances: To save cash and power, remember upgrading your antique AC unit to a more recent, extra efficient model.