What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?

Living in Florida, having a high quality air conditioning system is a non negotiable. But when it comes to replacing your air conditioning system, the purchasing process can feel totally daunting. You know you need a system that is going to efficiently cool your home, control humidity, and do so without costing a fortune — but where do you start? What model do you buy? And more importantly, what size? Fear not homeowner, here’s how you can easily determine what size air conditioning system you need.

Calculating BTUs for Your Perfect Air Conditioning System

When starting your search for a new air conditioning system, you will likely see the acronym “BTU” on every make and model. This is because cooling capacity is shown in British thermal units, also know as BTUs. But don’t worry — calculating the appropriate BTUs for your home is simple.

With this cooling capacity chart from Energy Star, all you need to do is find your home’s square footage in the left column. Then, use the right column to choose the correct cooling capacity for your air conditioner in BTUs.

Extra Tips for Investing In a New Air Conditioning System

BTUs aren’t the only thing to consider when investing in a new air conditioning system for your home. These additional tips will ensure your HVAC system makes your home as comfortable as possible:

• If the majority of your home is heavily shaded, you can reduce capacity by 10 percent.

• If the majority of your home is very sunny, you can increase capacity by 10 percent.

• If more than two people regularly occupy your home, add 600 BTUs for each additional person.

• If you utilize your kitchen often, increase capacity by 4,000 BTUs. *Source: Energy Star

Air Conditioning Installation In Orlando

If you’re not sure which air conditioning system is right for your Orlando home, the professionals at Energy Air can help. We understand that your home, lifestyle, health, future plans and financial goals are all factors that determine the best air conditioning system for you. That’s why we provide free in-home comfort consultations, which is our zero-pressure method of identifying your unique needs and presenting the best comfort solution for you. Ready to learn more? Visit our website or give us a call today.