If you want to keep your Long Island, NY home cool, your air conditioner is there to help. How do you choose the right size? When it comes to this decision, one size does not fit all. Selecting the correct air conditioner size will help you maintain comfort, energy efficiency, and cost savings. Let’s look at the best way to choose the proper AC unit for your home.
Cooling Capacity Is Important
If you want to find the right AC unit size, you need to know the cooling capacity of your home. Cooling capacity is measured in BTUs (British thermal units). That means 1 ton of AC equals 12,000 BTUs. How do you determine the right capacity for your home? You will need to keep a few factors in mind.
When you want to purchase a new AC unit, you need to know your home’s square footage. First, you will need to measure the square footage of each room in your house. You can do that by measuring the length and width of each room. Once you have these measurements, multiply the length by the width, and you will have the square footage. After measuring every area, add up the total square footage to find the overall size of your home.
Now that you have those numbers, you will need to determine your BTUs. A general guideline to keep in mind is 20 BTUs per square foot. For example, if you have a 500 square-foot area, it will require a 10,000 BTU unit (500 square feet x 20 BTUs per square foot). However, there are other considerations to take into account.
Other Factors for Consideration
Determining the right size of an AC unit requires more than square footage. For example, ceiling height, insulation, and sun exposure can impact each room’s cooling needs. Let’s look at a few of these factors.
Climate
Your local climate can play a role in this decision. Hotter regions require higher cooling capacity to lower the indoor temperature. If you live in a hot desert, you will need a powerful AC unit compared to someone in a milder coastal area. Extreme temperatures demand more power to maintain comfort and prevent the AC from overworking.
Insulation
Insulation is another factor to consider when choosing an AC unit. A well-insulated home will retain cool air, which can reduce the strain on your air conditioner. However, if your home lacks proper insulation, you may need a slightly larger AC unit to compensate for the heat gain. With that in mind, you may want to hire a professional to assess the insulation quality in your walls, attic, and windows before purchasing a new cooling system.
Ceiling Height
Ceiling height must be considered when calculating the cooling capacity needed for a room. Taller ceilings mean more cubic footage that needs to be cooled. As a result, additional BTUs are required. When performing your calculations, factor in the ceiling height to ensure even cooling throughout the room. If you have high ceilings, you may need a higher-powered air conditioner to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Room Usage
Sometimes, the room’s usage can also make a difference in your cooling needs. For example, kitchens often generate more heat due to cooking appliances. In turn, those areas have a higher cooling capacity to maintain comfort. On the other hand, bedrooms might need less cooling, especially if they are primarily used only at night. Knowing the specific cooling requirements of each room can help you select an appropriately sized AC unit.
Sun Exposure
Sun exposure is another important factor in determining the appropriate AC size. South-facing rooms receive more sunlight throughout the day, and that can increase the cooling load for those areas. When selecting the AC size for certain rooms, you will want to account for the amount of sun exposure they receive in those spaces.
Number of Occupants
The number of occupants in a room also affects the cooling load. More people generate more heat, which can increase the demand for the air conditioner. Typically, each person adds about 600 BTUs of heat to a room. When determining the AC size, you will also want to consider the number of people who will spend time in that space.
The Proper Size Does Matter
If you don’t choose the optimal size for your AC unit, you can experience discomfort and increased energy bills. While you might want to choose a smaller unit to save on costs, that is not the best idea. Selecting an undersized air conditioner can result in inefficient cooling, especially during hot weather. An undersized appliance will have to work continuously to cool the entire space. This can lead to higher energy consumption and more wear and tear, which can increase your utility bills and shorten the air conditioner’s lifespan. As a result, you can expect to pay for frequent repairs or replacements.
On the other hand, opting for an oversized air conditioner can also lead to problems. Oversized units tend to experience short cycling, turning on and off frequently. This cycling not only wastes energy but also prevents the unit from running long enough to dehumidify the air. As a result, you may experience uneven cooling and humidity issues. The frequent on-and-off cycles can also cause additional stress on the system. Once again, that can reduce its lifespan and increase maintenance costs.
Hire a Professional to Determine the Right Size AC
If all these factors seem confusing, you should hire an air conditioning professional to help you find the right unit for your home. With their assistance, you can get a correctly sized AC unit.
These professionals use specific methods, such as the Manual J load calculation, to assess your home’s specific cooling needs. This calculation considers all the above factors, including the size and layout of your home, insulation quality, window types, local climate, and even the number of occupants. This detailed analysis makes sure that the chosen AC unit will meet your exact requirements. With that, you can get consistent and efficient cooling throughout those warmer months.
When you are ready to purchase a new AC unit, you may want to choose one that is more energy efficient to help cut the costs of cooling your home. These professionals can recommend energy-efficient models and help you select a unit with a high SEER2 (updated seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating. This benefits your wallet and reduces your environmental footprint.
Finally, keeping your house cool is not just about the air conditioning unit. Professional HVAC technicians know the nuances of achieving optimal indoor comfort. They can recommend additional features, such as zoning systems, which allow for independent temperature control in different areas of your home. With that, you can make sure every room remains comfortable, no matter its size or sun exposure.
Cool Power LLC is your go-to solution for finding the right size for your AC unit. Serving Nassau and Suffolk counties, we can help you find the best option to keep your home comfortable throughout the summer and the rest of the year as well. Whether you need a quick repair or an upgrade to your existing cooling system, we’ve got you covered. When the seasons change and the weather gets cooler, we also perform expert furnace maintenance and repair. Ask us about our ductless solutions!
Contact Cool Power LLC today to keep your home comfortable and energy efficient with our AC installation services.
