3 Question About Sizing An Air Conditioner
Posted on: 15 December 2020
If you need a new air conditioner for your home, it is very important that you replace it with a new unit that is the right size. Here are a few questions you'll likely have about sizing a new air conditioner, which can help you understand why it is such a complicated process that should be done by a professional.
What Is A Load Calculation?
The first thing that needs to be done by an HVAC contractor is performing a load calculation on your home. It involves calculating a lot of different factors of the home that ultimately tell the contractor what size air conditioner is needed. They'll need to take measurements of the house, factor in the exterior construction materials, count the number of windows, determine how much direct sunlight your home receives on building materials and windows, and look at if your home has awnings or not that can block sunlight.
It is almost impossible to make assumptions about a home when determining load calculations. Even if a home is identical to another home, the two can have a different load calculation based on single factors like direct sunlight.
Is A Bigger Air Conditioner Better?
If you have not been satisfied with how your old air conditioner has been performing, you may assume that you simply need a bigger air conditioner to improve its cooling capability. This is not always the case, since a bigger air conditioner is not always better. If the air conditioner is too powerful, it is going to be ineffective at maintaining the temperature of your home. That is because the air conditioner doesn't produce cold air at varying temperatures, and too much cold air can cause the unit to power on and off frequently to maintain the temperature. This is not good for the overall lifespan of your HVAC system.
How Do You Know That You Need A Bigger Air Conditioner?
The main thing to look for when determining if you need a bigger air conditioner is if it cannot keep up with your needs and maintain the desired temperature. You may be living in a home where the previous owners were happy with the air conditioner set to 77°F, and that is what the air conditioner was able to do. After you moved in, you set the thermostat around 68°F and noticed the air conditioner struggling. Your personal preference for colder air may justify the need for a bigger air conditioner, when the old homeowners thought that it was perfectly fine.
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