What determines the size of your air conditioning unit?

• Size of the room
• Lighting system in the room
• Number of electronic devices such as computers
• Number of occupants
• Windows direction
• Area of windows
• Amount of sunlight coming in

Why sizing is important for AC!

Aside from cooling your home, it will also remove moisture. If the humidity level is low, the atmosphere will be cooler at any thermostat setting. The right size air conditioner removes humidity efficiently as it cools down. To get uniform cooling in your room with maximized efficiency, the cool air should be directed to the center rather than to the left or right side of the room. An over sized system that runs on and off more often will distract its operating time to get a constant humidity level.

How to determine the right size air conditioner for your home

• The bigger the better? Bigger size can cool the room faster, but it will only remove some humidity and make the room damp. The size should not be so big or too small for your room.
• Get a reputable air conditioning contractor – Ask him about the size needed in your room. An expert contractor who is familiar with your area may already know what size of a cooling system is needed for your home based on past evaluations and installations with other clients.
• Replacing an existing system – Just locate the model number somewhere on the outdoor section, and you’re on the right track. You’ll find that most manufacturers code their system with Btu (British thermal unit) capacity in the model number.
• Choose between a split or window type – Between these two, a window type is better when you move to another place frequently. Moreover, installation and re-installation costs of a split AC are higher.

If you’re a D-I-Y enthusiast, you can get the right size of an existing AC, but for other complicated and technical matters like Btu capacity, it’s recommended to look for a reputable contractor that charges a flat rate on materials and labor.