What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?
Expert Tips for Picking the Right Sized AC
Air conditioners today come in various sizes, makes, and models. When choosing a new central air conditioner, you must consider the number of rooms and square footage of your home (the cooling space) to select the appropriately sized unit. A unit that is too big or too small will cost you more than necessary. Considering the upfront costs of a brand-new air conditioner, getting the size right the first time is critical.
Energy-efficiency is pivotal, and here is what happens when you pick an air conditioner that is too big, too small, or just right:
- An Air Conditioner Too Big: When your central air conditioner is too big for your home’s square footage, it runs like a unit from 20 years ago. Therefore, it turns on quickly, cools your house, but then turns off. The on-off cycling of a large unit takes considerable energy and defeats the energy-saving design of that air conditioner.
- An Air Conditioner Too Small: Conversely, an air conditioner too small for your home must run continuously to catch up to the temperature you set on your thermostat. Your house might stay cool, but the amount of work your smaller unit endures results in higher energy costs, shortened lifespan, and more repairs.
- An Air Conditioner Sized Correctly: When your air conditioner is sized just right, it runs through the cycles as it should, keeps your temperatures comfortable, and offers maximum energy savings and lifespan.
To accurately calculate your home’s air conditioner size, you can use an air conditioner sizing graph from the manufacturer. The charts are based on the region in the United States and square footage.
While these charts are helpful, they do not consider your home’s insulation, ventilation, and other factors. Therefore, it is best to have an expert visit you to measure, and appropriately size your new air conditioning unit.
The team at Comfort Solutions HVAC in Easton, PA will come to your home and properly size your new air conditioner. We offer no-obligation consultations and expert air conditioner installations so that you not only get the right size but also ensure your AC unit is installed correctly for maximum efficiency. Request your estimate appointment today or call 610-438-9300 to schedule a consultation.
