What Size Central Air Conditioner Should I Buy?
It is very common for people to get overwhelmed whenever they have to buy a new central air conditioner for their homes, and it’s understandable because there are so many choices. You don’t know which one to choose since everyone offers the same thing — they can all make your life easier and more convenient. You might have heard that knowing which size of air conditioner you need at home is the best thing you should know, but what does that really mean?
You should always make sure that you pick the best size for your home. The rule of thumb here is that for every square foot of space, you need at least approximately 20 BTUs (British Thermal Units). To show you a specific example, a house with the size of 2,000 square feet usually requires approximately 40,000 BTUs.
Effects Of Choosing The Wrong Size
What can be the effects of choosing the wrong size of central air conditioner at home? Here are some of the consequences in choosing the wrong size of central air conditioner for your house.
There Won’t Be Enough Coolness At Home
Inadequate central air conditioning is obviously a problem. Even if the AC is turned on all the time, it will not be able to adequately cool your home.
Oversized central air is equally inconvenient. A large air conditioner will cycle on and off quickly, not adequately cooling the house. Furthermore, it will not run long enough to properly dehumidify. Furthermore, the humid, sticky indoor air will make you feel even hotter.
You’ll Send Your AC To The Repairmen More Often
When your air conditioning system is undersized, it will constantly run as it desperately tries to pump out enough cool air to cool your entire house. This leads to premature wear and tear. When an oversized air conditioner is forced to short cycle, the stop-start action strains your cooling system.
What is the end result? More frequent repairs mean two headaches for you: mounting repair bills and downtime without functional cooling in your home. Thus, you will have to send your unit to the AC service center more often than usual, because your AC is overworked.
Factors To Consider In Choosing The Right Size
There are several factors that play a role on what central air conditioner you choose, including the size. These factors are important to know in AC installation.
Consider How Your House Is Constructed
The first factor in determining the size of your central air conditioner is the square footage of your home and the number of stories. Of course, it goes without saying that you should always check the size of your house to make sure you’ll buy only the best central air conditioner for your home. Depending on your layout, you may find that installing multi-zoned air conditioning, which allows you to fine-tune your temperature control, is the most convenient option.
Check How Your Windows Are Placed
The placement of your windows, including the angle, the size, and the number all affect your choices in air conditioning installation for you. You should also consider where your windows are facing (i.e. if they get too much sunlight) because it will affect how your air conditioner should function.
Take A Look At The Insulation
You should have enough insulation and ductwork at home, because the more insulated your house is, the more efficient you will use your air conditioner as well. If your house is well-insulated, your air conditioner won’t get tired, making your house cooler because no warm heat enters the room and all the cool air is sealed right in.