What size of an air conditioner is proper for my house?
Very often we are asked: “What size of an air conditioner is proper for my house?” There are many things in your home that have to be considered in order to choose the correct size of air conditioner, such as the
- Height of your ceilings
- Type and thickness of your walls and insulation
- Square footage
- Climate zone
- Ductwork
- Number and style of windows
- Natural shade or sunlight
- Quality and amount of insulation
- Number of people using the space
- Heat-generating appliances
. Unsurprisingly, when answering most of the questions, the HVAC professionals tend to go out into technical chatter about load calculations.
So, the purpose of this article is that we will quickly go over how to get a general idea of what size air conditioning is suitable for your home, and in the second volume, how to use load calculation correctly to find the right size central air conditioning system for you and your family.
CORRECT SYSTEM SIZE
There is a lot of scientific evidence in the calculation methods when choosing the right size air conditioner for your home. One of these methods is called a Residential Load Calculation.
The second method of sizing air conditioners is to determine the size of the air conditioning system that is currently in place. System capacity is almost always coded in the outdoor unit model number.
Generally speaking, you can use the conversion information below to assist in sizing your existing air conditioning system (use the system model number, NOT the serial number)
18 = 1.5 tons
24 = 2 tons
30 = 2.5 tons
36 = 3 tons
42 = 3.5 tons
48 = 4 tons
60 = 5 tons
A word of caution before you start choosing an air conditioner for your home: don’t make the mistake of buying an air conditioner that is too big for your house! When you buy an air conditioner, which is too big or oversized in other words, it will be a so-called “short-cycle”. A short cycle is when the compressor does not run long enough to remove humidity from the air in the house. A short cycle of the air conditioning system in most cases will shut down more frequently, resulting in increased electricity usage and an overall reduction of air conditioner compressor life. The correct selection of the A/C unit is important to optimize its efficiency.
What size air conditioner is right for my home?
The size of your home is usually the starting point of choosing a new air conditioner.
It’s also important to calculate the efficiency of your home. For example, what shade does it get, what type of roof do you have, and how well is your house insulated? A single-family home may have higher cooling needs than a townhouse of the same size with one or two walls connected to neighbors. The Vese experts make the calculation of which AC size is most appropriate for your home.
Ask a professional.
To install an air conditioner in your home, you need to ask a professional to decide which size is the best fit. Sizing a current is both an art and a science. Even if the manufacturer’s recommendations provide a recommended size for your climate, they do not take into account the unique characteristics of your home. Choosing the wrong size can cost you additional electricity bills. Why take the time to go back and buy the right size air conditioner? Get the right sizing and installation of air conditioner from Vese Heating & Cooling our trained professional.
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