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3 Questions About Sizing An Air Conditioner

Is it time to replace your home's air conditioner, and do you want to make sure that you are buying the right one? If so, it's important to make sure that your air conditioner is sized correctly. Here are some questions you may have about sizing an air conditioner.

Why Does Air Conditioner Sizing Matter?

There are actually different sizes of air conditioners, which is the cooling capacity that the air conditioner is capable of producing. Air conditioners do not dial up and down the temperature as needed to get your home to a consistent temperature. If the air conditioner is not powerful enough, then your air conditioner will run longer than necessary to get your home to the proper temperature. If it's too powerful, it can cause problems with condensation forming in the ductwork or rapid cycling.

Why Not Use The Existing Air Conditioner Size?

Many people assume that you can just get a new air conditioner that is the same size as the old one. Unfortunately, you do not know if the previous air conditioner was sized properly. It is very possible that your home has an air conditioner that is oversized or undersized, which could explain why you need your air conditioner replaced as well.

It's also possible that an addition was added to your home after the air conditioner was installed. In this situation, the air conditioner would be undersized and you would need a professional to calculate what the new size of the air conditioner would be. 

How Do You Determine The Size of The Air Conditioner? 

There are actually a series of measurements that are taken to determine the right size air conditioner for your home. This is done by determining the square footage of all exterior doors and windows, which is a place where heat is more likely to transfer into your home. Measurements are also taken of the exterior walls and ceiling heights throughout the home. This helps determine the amount of heat that comes into your home and is retained.

In addition, the sun's orientation is considered along with the windows that receive direct sunlight. This can cause a lot of heat to enter a home, which changes the need for the type of air conditioner that you need. For example, homes with windows facing the west and east are going to be warmer than a home with windows facing the north and south. 

While there are many more factors than those that are considered, all the information is put into a form that is used to calculate the amount of BTUs needed to cool your home efficiently.  

For more information, contact a local HVAC dealer.