When it comes to staying cool during the hot summer months, or warm during the colder seasons, nothing beats a good air conditioner. However, choosing the right size air conditioner for your home is crucial to ensuring that you not only stay cool and comfortable, but also that you don’t waste money on an oversized unit or struggle with an undersized one. Here are some of our tips to help you choose the appropriate sized air conditioner for your home.

1. Determine your room size

Before you even start shopping for an air conditioner, it’s important to know the size of the room or rooms that you want to cool. Measure the length and width of each room and multiply the two numbers together to get the square footage.

2. Calculate the cooling capacity

Once you know the square footage of the room, you can calculate the cooling capacity that you need. Air conditioners are measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs), which is a unit of energy used to measure heat. A general rule of thumb is that you need 20 BTUs for every square foot of living space that you want to cool.

For example, if you have a 300 square foot bedroom, you will need an air conditioner with a cooling capacity of at least 6,000 BTUs (300 x 20).

3. Consider other factors

While the size of the room is the most important factor in determining the appropriate sized air conditioner, there are other factors to consider as well. These include the height of the ceiling, the number of windows in the room, the amount of shade the room receives, and the climate in your area.

If the ceiling is higher than 8 feet, you may need to increase the cooling capacity by 10% for each additional foot of ceiling height. If the room has more than one window or is located in a sunny area, you may need to increase the cooling capacity by 10%. If the room is in a shaded area or has good insulation, you may be able to reduce the cooling capacity by 10%.

4. Consider the unit’s energy efficiency

When choosing an air conditioner, it’s important to consider the unit’s energy efficiency. Look for air conditioners with a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating, which measures the unit’s efficiency over an entire cooling season. A higher SEER rating means that the unit will use less energy to cool your home, which will save you money on your energy bills.

5. Get professional help

If you’re still unsure about which size air conditioner to choose, consider getting professional help. That’s what we’re here for! We can help you calculate the appropriate cooling capacity for your home based on its size, layout, and other factors.

Choosing the appropriate sized air conditioner for your home requires careful consideration of several factors. By measuring your room size, calculating the cooling capacity, considering other factors such as ceiling height, number of windows, amount of shade, and the unit’s energy efficiency, you can make an informed decision and stay cool and comfortable all summer long.