What Size of AC Unit Do I Buy for My Home?
Inland Empire Comfort
November 30, 2022
When you buy clothes, you take the time to ensure shirts, pants, and shoes fit. You should do the same thing for your home when buying an air conditioner. Knowing what size of AC unit your home needs is essential for achieving maximum efficiency and performance.
Some homeowners believe that bigger is better, thinking that larger units can cool their homes quicker. Meanwhile, others believe that smaller units can save them money. However, in both situations, the homeowner ends up paying more over time.
The best way to avoid unnecessary air conditioner repair in Claremont is by ensuring your AC unit is the right size for your home. Below, we review everything you need to know about sizing an air conditioner.
Why Does the Size of Your Air Conditioner Matter?
Wearing clothes that are too big can make it difficult to walk around, while clothes that are too small are uncomfortable. Although you can get away with wearing either, you want to spend your money on clothes that are comfortable and fit perfectly. The same concept applies to your home's cooling system.
If your home has an air conditioner that is too large, the system will likely require frequent repairs and extensive upkeep. Conversely, a unit that is too small will struggle to maintain adequate indoor temperatures, drawing more energy and increasing monthly utility costs.
Finding the right size air conditioner for your home means having a more efficient system. As a result, you can enjoy lower energy bills, fewer repairs, and a more comfortable home.
How to Calculate the Size You Need
The best way to determine what size of AC unit your home needs is to ask an expert. HVAC technicians can inspect your home and analyze your cooling needs to determine what size unit is best for your home.
When calculating AC unit size on your own, the three most things to determine are your home's square footage, the ceiling height, and the required AC unit tonnage. Tonnage refers to a unit's ability to remove heat from the air in an hour.
You can measure an AC unit's tonnage, or capacity, using British Thermal Units (BTUs). For example, the approximate energy needed to cool one square foot of space is 25 BTU.
You can calculate an AC unit's tonnage using the following equation:
Air Conditioner Tonnage (tons) = (Home's square footage x 25 BTU) / 12,000 - 1
Calculating the tonnage can help you determine what size AC unit your home needs. For example, if your house has 1,200 square feet, you would use the following calculations:
(12,000 x 25) / 12,000 - 1 = 1.5 tons
Factors to Consider When Buying a New AC Unit
Determining what size AC unit your home needs depends on more than a single calculation. When buying a new air conditioner, consider the following factors to ensure you get the most efficient system.
Efficiency Ratings
The best way to determine a unit's energy efficiency is by looking at the SEER rating. SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) ratings compare the energy a system uses to cool and home to what it wastes. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient a unit is.
For maximum efficiency and energy savings, look for units with an Energy Star® certification, which indicates that the unit consumes at least 8% less energy than other systems.
The Climate Around Your Home
Homes in different climates have varying cooling needs. For example, a house in Arizona needs more cooling than one in New York. If you run your air conditioner for most of the year, finding a unit with a high SEER rating is essential for saving money on energy costs and having a longer-lasting system.
Your Home's Windows
The type of windows your home has can contribute to an AC unit's efficiency. For instance, single-paned windows often lead to greater energy loss, putting a more significant strain on your HVAC system. Meanwhile, double- and triple-paned windows offer better energy efficiency, so you can get an AC unit with lower tonnage.
Call the Pros
Instead of determining tonnage and load calculations on your own, let our technicians help you find the perfect size of AC unit for your home. Our experts at Inland Empire Comfort have years of experience working with HVAC systems in California; we know everything from calculating the right indoor unit size to identifying signs of toxic coolant leaks.
Call our team at
(951) 336-8709 to schedule an inspection in Riverside, CA!
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