An air conditioner that is too small for the room will have to run for excessive periods of time in order to achieve the temperature that you have set, making the unit ware faster. In addition, you’ll also find the room uncomfortable because it never reaches your desired temperature. an air conditioner that is too big may reach your desired temperature, but it will cycle on and off more frequently causing ware, wasting energy, and shortening the dehumidification process (which can lead to mold growth).

Knowing the size of your room will provide an estimate on how many British Thermal Units, or BTUs, that your AC will need in order to properly and efficiently cool your room. unfortunately, this is not a fool proof science, as there are three important variables to consider when searching for the right size air conditioning unit; the location of the AC, the type of AC you want, and your geographical location.

Where will my air conditioner be?

ACs in places that receive a lot of sunlight should have a higher BTU output. Kitchens, for example, will usually need a 4,000 BTU capacity increase to help compensate for all of their heat generation. Rooms that are in significant sunlight should increase the air conditioner’s BTU capacity by ten percent, while rooms in significant shade should decrease the BTU capacity of the AC by ten percent.

What type of air conditioner do I want?

There are three major types of air conditioners: portable, window, and central air. there is no doubt that portable ACs are convenient because of how easy it is to move them from room to room. unfortunately, this portability makes them less efficient than the other two types of ACs. this isn’t always a bad thing, but those who are considering buying a portable AC should increase the BTU output to make up for the lack of efficiency.

How will my location affect the BTU output?

Even your geographical location can impact the necessary BTU output of your AC. this is similar to having to change the BTU output for rooms that are exposed to a large amount of either sunlight or shade. People living in warmer, more southern regions of the country will need to have a higher BTU output air conditioner, in comparison to a similar room in a cooler, more northern region.

Recap

“Bigger is always better” and “small but mighty” shouldn’t be terms you’re using when shopping for a new AC unit. Remember to ask yourself, “where will my air conditioner be?”, “what type of AC do I want?”, and “how will my location affect the BTU output?” before buying a new air conditioner.