What Size HVAC Unit Do I Need?
Choosing the right size air conditioner is crucial for energy efficiency and comfort. An improperly sized unit can lead to problems cooling your home and result in higher electricity bills. A large HVAC unit doesn’t necessarily mean it will cool faster. The square footage of your house is vital in choosing the right air conditioning unit.
Problems With Improperly Sized Units
If your air conditioner is not large enough to cool your home, it might work overtime. Your unit will run constantly, but your home will never be cool enough. Conversely, if the HVAC unit is too big, it will constantly turn on and off without removing the humidity from the air, resulting in a cool but damp home. This can cause wear and tear on your air conditioning unit and requires a lot of energy.
Factors To Consider
Types of Air Conditioning Systems
- Split-system air conditioner: This includes an indoor and outdoor unit that work together to cool your home. Using ductwork, this system runs refrigerant through both units to reach the desired temperature and humidity level.
- Ductless air conditioner: This uses pipes connecting one outdoor unit to one or more indoor units. It does not use ductwork but a system of pipes. These indoor units allow different temperatures in each room, best suited for those needing different climates in each room.
- Packaged air conditioner system: This system has all mechanical parts like the evaporator coil, compressor, and condensing coil housed inside one outdoor unit. It utilizes ductwork to cool the home. You can choose a single- or two-stage HVAC system depending on your desired energy efficiency level.
Climate
The climate where you live affects the size of the air conditioner needed. If you live in a hot, humid area, you will need a different-sized air conditioner than if you live in a milder, dry area. The humidity and temperature will determine how much cooling and dehumidifying the AC unit will need to do.
Heating or Cooling Capacity
The AC’s cooling capacity is measured in BTUh (British Thermal Units per Hour). The BTUh shows how much energy the AC or HVAC unit uses to remove heat from your house within one hour. This measurement is referred to in tons, tonnage, or BTUh. One ton cooling capacity is equal to 12,000 BTUh. Residential units range from 1.5 to 5-ton units (18,000 – 60,000 BTUh). For example, a 2,000 square feet home may need a 3-ton or 3.5-ton unit, depending on the location.
SEER Ratings
It’s also important to consider the unit’s SEER ratings. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and measures the unit’s cooling level. The SEER rating is found by measuring the unit’s cooling output and dividing the total energy used. The less energy used, the higher the SEER ratio. The most common SEER ratios are 14 or 16.
Square Footage
Your home’s square footage impacts your air conditioner’s size. You can find your home’s square footage on the blueprints, or measure it manually. After finding the square footage, multiply it by 25, divide it by 12,000, and subtract 0.5 to find the BTUhs needed to cool your home. While you can calculate this yourself, a licensed HVAC technician can ensure you get the right size AC unit.
Home’s Insulation
A well-insulated home requires less cooling energy than a poorly insulated one. The walls of your home are filled with a thermally non-conductive material that helps keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Depending on your home’s insulation quality, your AC unit’s size can be affected. If you don’t have good insulation, the air conditioner will need to run longer.
Schedule an Inspection
If you’re considering replacing your HVAC system, contact the professionals at Superior AC & Heat. Our licensed technicians will evaluate your cooling needs and offer the best options for your home. We will perform a calculation to determine the correct size HVAC unit your home needs. Superior AC & Heat proudly serves the North Texas area, including Burleson, Fort Worth, Haslet, Arlington, and the surrounding areas. Schedule your professional air conditioning installation service by contacting us today.
