Are you ready to replace your outdated air conditioning system? Since there’s greater concern over efficient cooling, it’s essential to look for a unit that’s just the right size for your living spaces. Use our guide to make an informed choice.
Is It Better to Oversize or Undersize an AC?
When choosing an HVAC replacement, you won’t want to go too big or too small. A unit that’s too small for your home will cool at a slower pace. It will need longer cycles as it tries to match your cooling needs.
An oversized unit will cool in quick, frequent cycles. In addition to increased energy waste, those faster cycles speed up the rate of wear and tear.
In either case, you won’t be able to maintain a consistent temperature. Oversized and undersized units have shorter lifespans and require more frequent repairs as well.
Is It Time to Replace My Air Conditioner?
Knowing when it’s time to replace an AC can help you save money, and you’ll restore your own peace of mind. Generally, a unit that uses energy less efficiently and requires frequent repairs is ready for replacement.
If you’re still not sure about getting a new air conditioning system, use the $5,000 rule. Multiply the estimated cost to repair the unit by the air conditioner’s age. If the sum is greater than $5,000, it will be more cost-effective to install a new AC.
Determine Your BTU Requirements
How can you determine the size of the air conditioning system you’ll need? While an HVAC size calculator can help, you should still know how to understand size ratings.
Ask your HVAC technician, “What size HVAC do I need?” They will discuss BTU (British thermal units) with you. BTUs or the system’s tonnage refer to the amount of energy required to remove the heat from your home in one hour.
A rating of one ton is equal to 12,000 BTUs. Multiply your square footage by 20 (for a moderate climate zone). Take that number and divide it by 12,000. This will give you the tonnage of your AC.
For example, a 2,000-square-foot home x 20 comes to 40,000. Dividing 40,000 by 12,000 tells you that your 2,000-square-foot home needs a 3-ton unit.
Check SEER2 Ratings
SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency rating, and the SEER2 ratings measure the efficiency of current systems. SEER2 ratings divide cooling output by the total energy usage. Unlike an HVAC size estimator, you won’t need a special calculation.
Manufacturers understand the importance of energy efficiency and provide SEER2 ratings on all air conditioner packaging. More efficient systems will have higher SEER2 ratings. The common range is 14 to 16 SEER2 scores.
Simplify Your AC Replacement With Help From the Experts
When you partner with Woods Comfort Systems, we can help you find the ideal air conditioner for your home. We’ll evaluate your cooling needs to make sure you choose the most efficient size to treat your living spaces. After you make your choice, we’ll fully install the unit for you. Contact us to request an estimate today!
