How to Pick the Right Sized AC Unit?

Whether you’re moving into a new home, building from the ground up, or looking to get an AC replacement, picking the right air conditioner for your home is an important decision. It could be the difference between being comfortable or miserable in your home.

Ball Heating & Air Conditioning have helped homeowners find the most efficient AC unit for years. One of the things we’ve helped homeowners understand is how to pick the right size air conditioner and why it matters. Below our experts have put together our best tips for selecting an AC system. Read this before your next professional air conditioning install!

What Does AC Size Mean?

When you hear the word size being used in reference to your air conditioning unit, it does not refer to its literal length and width. It refers to the cooling capacity your unit has. You may have heard the terms cooling capacity and cooling load before. Let’s break down the difference between these two things.

Understanding Cooling Capacity And Load

The cooling capacity describes how powerful your AC unit is. The power your unit is measured in is British Thermal Units (BTUs).

The cooling load is the amount of heat that has to be removed from a room to maintain your desired temperature or stay in an adequate range. Your home will remain comfortable despite weather extremes happening outside.

Why Does The Size Of Your AC Unit Matter?

The size of your AC must match the specifications of your home, or else it will not work effectively. If your unit has insufficient cooling capacity, it cannot cool your home correctly. But, if it has too much cooling capacity, things like the humidity will be affected. If you don’t pick the proper size for your home, you’ll experience undesirable conditions and a waste of energy.

How To Calculate The Size Of Your Unit

Professionals use a standard formula to measure the size that homeowners can do. To calculate the size of an AC needed for a room, start by multiplying the room’s length by width. You’ll multiply that number by 25 BTU to get the best potential cooling in extreme weather conditions.

For example, if the room is 25 feet long and 29 feet wide, it comes to 725 square feet. Now multiply 725 by 25 BTU per square foot you get 18,125 BTU which is the minimum cooling capacity of the air conditioner you should buy.

What Is the Manual J Inspection?

If you talked to a professional before, they might have mentioned the Manual J inspection. An inspection like this is what professionals use to determine the HVAC capacity of the space you will need your air conditioner installed. This inspection ensures an adequate energy-saving unit is being placed in your home. This inspection considers factors like square footage, regional climate, sun exposure, insulation type, and other factors before installation happens.

Looking To Get An AC Installed? Call Ball!

Letting the technical stuff in buying an AC get you down is easy. Let our team of Biloxi AC installation experts help you make the best AC unit decisions for your home! If you have more questions about cooling load, cooling capacity, or other technical questions, give Ball Heating & Air Conditioning a call!