You can’t choose the right air conditioning system for your home without considering the size. The size of an air conditioning system represents its cooling capacity. It’s typically measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). Bigger air conditioning systems have a higher BTU rating than their smaller counterparts. How do you what size air conditioning system is right for your home exactly?
#1) Total Square Footage of Living Space
The main factor that affects the ideal size of an air conditioning system is your home’s total square footage of living space. You’ll need to calculate the total square footage of your home’s living space – the areas that you intend to cool with the air conditioning system – after which you can choose an appropriately sized air conditioning system. If you have a large home with a lot of living space, you may need a large air conditioning system.
#2) Wall Height
The height of the walls inside of your home will affect the ideal size of an air conditioning system. Total square footage only takes into account the length and width of the rooms; it doesn’t take into account the height of the rooms. Rooms with tall walls will require a larger air conditioning system to cool. If most of the rooms in your home have short walls, on the other hand, a smaller air conditioning system may suffice.
#3) Insulation
Another factor that affects the ideal size of an air conditioning system is insulation. If your home has insufficient insulation, you may need to choose a larger air conditioning system. Of course, the best course of action is to install new insulation. A large air conditioning system can cool your home, but it will waste energy with missing or insufficient insulation.
#4) Windows
Something else that can affect the ideal size of an air conditioning system is windows. Windows are a source of heat gain. During the day, sunlight will beam through your home’s windows, thus warming your home. If your home has a lot of windows, you may need to choose a larger air conditioning system to counter this heat gain.
#5) Number of AC System Units
While most homes only have a single air conditioning system, some of them have two or more air conditioning systems. If you’re planning to install multiple air conditioning systems in your home, a smaller size may suffice. Rather than a single large air conditioning system, you can install two small air conditioning systems.
