If you’ve noticed issues with your home’s AC, it may be time to upgrade it. Before calling an HVAC contractor for an installation, it’s important to assess your house’s and family’s needs so that you choose the right unit. If you aren’t sure where to begin, use this guide to help you make a selection.

Choosing the Right AC Size

How to Calculate the Size

Most ACs are sized by British thermal units (BTUs), which is a unit of power—one square foot typically requires 25 BTUs of energy to cool. To get the amount of BTUs your unit will need, find the square footage of the room, then multiply it by 25. For example, a 180-square-foot room will require a unit with a cooling capacity of 4,500 BTUs. When shopping, you can typically find the AC’s BTU capacity on the packaging.

Factors That Affect Size

While you can multiply the room’s square footage by 25, there are many factors that alter the AC’s cooling capacity. For example, you may need a unit with a stronger output if you have several heat-generating appliances in the space, like an oven, stove, TV, or printer.

Other factors that influence cooling capacity include how many people live in your house, the quality of the insulation, the climate of your region, and how much sun the room receives. These important nuances all affect the BTU measurement and should be factored into the calculations by an experienced HVAC contractor.

Types of Air Conditioning Unit

Central

These systems circulate air through a network of ducts and are best for larger homes that require multi-room cooling. Since the unit feeds air into each room, you’ll be able to maintain the same temperature throughout the entire house and control everything through a single thermostat.

Ductless

If you want more control in each room, opt for a ductless system. These units let you create cooling zones, and each room will have a designated thermostat to dictate the temperature. This is an ideal cooling method if you have several areas that aren’t used throughout the day, like guest rooms. Simply put the thermostat to a lower setting to minimize energy usage in an unused space.

Window

These cost-effective units are excellent for cooling individual rooms, and they can be quickly installed and taken out if you choose to move. This type of AC is ideal for smaller houses and apartments since it sits in a window frame and doesn’t take up precious floor space.

If you need help choosing a cooling system, turn to American Air Conditioning in Honolulu, HI. These HVAC contractors will accurately calculate your unique BTU requirements and assess your family’s needs to recommend the ideal system for the house. After the installation, they’ll also return regularly to perform any necessary tuneups to keep the unit functioning. To get more information about their services, visit them online or call (808) 847-0851.