WHAT SIZE AIR CONDITIONER DO I NEED FOR MY HOME?
Jan 28, 2019
If this Poindexter classic has been your personal theme song of late, you may be wondering what size air conditioner you need for your room or home. EnergyStar.gov offers a convenient guide to determining what size AC unit you need.
Footprint Is Everything
Ideal air conditioner capacity is directly related to the square footage of the area you need cooled. Measure the area of your room and use this table to determine what size air conditioner you need :
|
Area To Be Cooled (square feet) |
Capacity Needed (BTUs per hour) |
| 100 up to 150 | 5,000 |
| 150 up to 250 | 6,000 |
| 250 up to 300 | 7,000 |
| 300 up to 350 | 8,000 |
| 350 up to 400 | 9,000 |
| 400 up to 450 | 10,000 |
| 450 up to 550 | 12,000 |
| 550 up to 700 | 14,000 |
| 700 up to 1,000 | 18,000 |
| 1,000 up to 1,200 | 21,000 |
| 1,200 up to 1,400 | 23,000 |
| 1,400 up to 1,500 | 24,000 |
| 1,500 up to 2,000 | 30,000 |
| 2,000 up to 2,500 | 34,000 |
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
If you’re sweating, don’t assume that you need to buy a bigger air conditioner. An air conditioning unit that’s too big for your room sucks water from your air, leaving you with low humidity.
See if your air conditioner is working properly. If your AC is broken or breaking, it’s not going to be as effective. Watch for warning signs that the air conditioner is getting ready to break. When it’s time to buy an air conditioner, use the table above to learn what size air conditioner you need.
Your Situation May Vary
The dynamics of your room can effect what size air conditioner you need. In a very sunny room with lots of windows? Increase the capacity of your air conditioner by about 10%. If the room is shady, your air conditioner can be slightly smaller.
The kitchen needs a lot of cooling power, so buy an AC unit that’s at least 4,000 BTUs over what size AC unit the table suggests.
Remember, more people means more body heat. Add about 600 BTUs per person if you have more than two people in your room or home.
We’re here to help
At Newcomb and Company, comfort is our business. It’s better to buy once – and choose what size air conditioner unit is right for your room – than to change it later on. If you’re looking for professional guidance on cooling down a house, a room, or an entire building, please get in touch.
Need help? Call now.