How To Pick The Right Size AC Unit

When it comes to buying a new air conditioning unit, you might be giving some thought into what the ideal size would be. What are some factors to take into consideration?

As with any appliance in your home, it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. You have to figure out the best size of your HVAC unit before you invest. At Hi-Tech Plumbing & Leak Detect, we’re here to help you determine the right size for your new AC and how to calculate it on your own.

Sizing An Efficient HVAC System

First of all, you might be wondering, does the size of my central air system even matter? The answer is — yes it does! An HVAC system consists of complex units that work together to manage the varying temperatures you desire inside your home. If a part of the system isn’t the right size, it can cause your whole system to fail, resulting in costly AC repairs and more.

How Do Professionals Calculate Air Conditioner Size?

The best size of your cooling system depends on a few factors. Here are three simple steps you can take to determine the correct size for your home:

1. 1. Multiply the length times the width of the room to be cooled
2. 2. Multiply that total times 25
3. 3. The total is the cooling capacity needed of your AC in BTU (British thermal unit)

For example, if your room is 15 feet wide by 20 feet long, that total multiplied is 300 square feet. Multiply 300 square feet by 25 and the total is 7,500 BTU cooling capacity needed.

Of course, your house likely consists of more than one room, so repeat those steps for all your rooms and add them together to get the total BTU cooling capacity for your entire home.

Once you have determined the BTU of your home, you can start shopping around for HVAC units that fit within that range. Our team of technicians at Hi-Tech Plumbing & Leak Detect can also determine the right-sized system for your home and assist in professional AC installation if you need the extra help!

Mistakes The Wrong-Sized AC Can Have On Cooling Load

It may be tempting to invest in a cooling unit that is too small for your home in an attempt to save money. This can be a costly mistake in the long run because a smaller unit will struggle to keep your home cool. It will have to work harder which stresses the system itself and increases the energy usage as well.

On the other hand, if you invest in an air conditioner that is too large, it will have issues as well. Not only will you get inconsistent bursts of conditioned air, but it will cool down your home way too fast — leading to short cycling. This means that the unit will constantly be turning on and off. It will also work overtime, wear down the system faster and increase your energy bill.

If you have the wrong-sized air conditioner in your home, you might need an AC replacement. Save yourself the time and money by investing in an efficient AC from the start!

Hi-Tech Plumbing & Leak Detect For Professional AC Installation

Now that you know how to pick the right-sized cooling unit for your home, the next step is installation after you purchase it. At Hi-Tech Plumbing & Leak Detect, our experts specialize in AC installation in the Edmond area. Contact us the next time you need help with an AC replacement or a professional AC install!