What Size Central Air Conditioner Should I Buy?
It’s critical to know the right size of an air conditioner when you are looking for a new unit. An incorrect sized unit won’t be able to properly cool your home during the summer.
If your AC is too small, the constant running will drive up your energy bill. While an oversized air conditioner will chill the area too quickly which leaves hot pockets in your home. If the size is not correct, the unit would not have enough time to remove humidity from the air, potentially resulting in mold and mildew issues.
Repeated on-off cycling can shorten the life of your system and decrease its efficiency. Ensuring your air conditioner is properly sized is the best way to provide comfortable, cost-effective cooling. Learn some of the best tips for selecting an appropriately sized air conditioner from the Rocklin AC experts, South Placer Heating & Air.
How Do Central Air Conditioners Get Their Measurements?
The term “size” refers to cooling power of a unit rather than its physical size. Of course, larger units have more cooling power, but it’s difficult to tell how much cooling power an AC unit has by looking at it. Instead, you should consider the tonnage or BTUs (British Thermal Units).
BTUs are heat units, whereas tonnage is the amount of heat an air conditioner can remove in an hour. Keep in mind that tonnage does not equal the weight of the air conditioner.
As a general rule, you’ll need about 20 BTU of cooling per square foot of space. A 1,500-square-foot home, for example, will require around 30,000 BTU. However, don’t try figuring out the size of your air conditioner on your own as there are far too many variables involved. Instead, use a recognized standard to calculate the BTU you want from a dependable, knowledgeable HVAC contractor in Rocklin.
Consequences of Improperly Sizing Central Air Conditioning
Are you intending to replace an air conditioner that is more than 10-15 years old or one that was incorrectly sized from the start? Ask for professional support to check your home’s current cooling demands because today’s AC equipment is significantly more efficient and modern than it was just a few years ago.
Your Home Won’t Cool As Expected
Central air conditioning that is undersized is obviously a concern. Even if the air conditioner is turned on all the time, it won’t be able to adequately cool your home. A huge air conditioner will cycle on and off frequently without adequately cool the house. Furthermore, it will not run long enough to dehumidify the air. You’ll feel much hotter inside with the humid, sticky air.
Your Air Conditioner Will Require More Repairs
When your air conditioning system is inadequate, it will run constantly as it tries to pump out enough cold air for your entire home. This creates a lot of wear and tear. Similarly, the stop-start activity that occurs when an oversized air conditioner is forced to short cycle is taxing on your cooling system. As a result, you’ll have to deal with more repairs and two headaches:
- Repair expenditures that would never seem to stop piling up
- Downtime in your home due to a lack of functional cooling
Eventually, you’ll have to decide whether to repair or replace your air conditioner sooner than expected.
Operating Costs Will Skyrocket
Air conditioning that isn’t the right size will not only cost you a fortune in HVAC repair fees, it will also be far less energy efficient. As a result, your monthly utility expenditures will skyrocket. Unfortunately, other than replacing your air conditioner with one that is the correct size for your home, there is no effective solution to this problem.
Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Going to Last
A properly sized and maintained air conditioner should provide you with at least 10-15 years of reliable operation. However, air conditioning that is either too small or too large will be unable to meet the increased demand.
As a result, its useful life will be cut short, and you’ll need to start looking for a replacement air conditioning unit much sooner than you anticipated. This unexpected bill can strain on your finances.
Locate the Appropriate Air Conditioning Size
Avoid buying a new central air conditioner that is incorrectly sized by first consulting a professional. Central air conditioning experts in Rocklin will take into account the following factors:
Your House’s Size and Layout
The first factor in determining the size of your central air conditioner is the square footage of your property and the number of stories.
Based on your architecture, multi-zoned air conditioning may be the most convenient option, allowing you to fine-tune your temperature control.
Window Placement and Landscaping
Your home’s cooling needs are influenced by the placement, size, and number of windows. For example, in the summer, a structure with numerous large south-facing windows will naturally become hotter and require more frequent cooling.
The shade provided by landscaping in the form of trees and shrubs surrounding the home can also have an impact on the cooling needs of your home.
Insulation and Ductwork
The condition of the ducting and insulation in your home should be examined before having a new AC unit installed. If both of these are in good condition, you’ve already made a significant contribution to energy efficiency and can proceed with your new air conditioning.
Weather Conditions
Take into account the usual weather in your area. It is critical to have central air conditioning that can cope with the typical weather around your home. In Rocklin, we tend to have scorching, dry summers so your AC unit needs to be ready to handle the heat.
With the tips that we have mentioned above, we are sure that you will be able to choose the right AC for your domestic usage. If you are looking for the best central air conditioner in Rocklin, you’ve come to the right place. Get in touch with us at (916) 246-2089.
