How to Choose the Right Size Air Conditioner-Buying Guide

This article will discuss air conditioners and their size according to your need. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better idea of the different types of air conditioners available on the market. You’ll also learn what information you should have with you so that you can know how to choose the right size air conditioner model for your home. Also, how to Calculate the BTUs for your room when it comes to air conditioners?

Well, in simple words, it’s important to have a properly sized unit. If you have an air conditioner that’s too large for the room, it’s going to shut off early and not have enough time to dehumidify and remove the moisture necessary. This will leave you with a very cold and clammy environment.

On the other hand, if the air conditioner is too small for the environment that you’re cooling, then the air conditioner will continually run and never cool or dehumidify the room properly, therefore costing you more energy. But now the following words will have a broad discussion about how to choose the right size air conditioner step by step!

STEP 1. Measurement

The first thing you’ll need to know is your measurements. Be sure to measure your window or wall opening. It helps to have a general idea of the room size you want to cool; taking into consideration ceiling height.

The easiest way to check the square footage of the room is to measure the length of the floor and multiply it by the width and that will give you your room square footage based on an eight-foot ceiling.

STEP 2. Electricity Requirements

Next, make sure a grounded outlet is next to the window or wall space you’ll be using for air conditioning. You should not use an adapter or an extension cord. You’ll also need to know if the outlet you’ll be using to power the AC is the standard 115V or 208/230 volts. Be sure to look at the outlet receptacle or plug. If you’re uncertain snap a photo and show it to your salesperson.

Now that you have your measurements and electricity requirements, it is easy for you to get the size idea and switch concerns for the air conditioner.

STEP 3. Other Considerations

Here are a few more things you’ll need to consider when making a purchase:

• Is the room you’re trying to cool facing the sun the majority of the day?
• Are the ceilings taller than eight feet?
• How many people are occupying the space?
• In addition, is the unit going to be in the kitchen?

In other words with numeric values let’s say this, you simply measure the square footage of the room. This is the length multiplied by the width of the room. If it’s on the main floor, multiply the square footage by 30.

If it’s a second floor or kitchen area, multiply the square footage of the room by 40.

If your ceiling height is over 8 feet, add 1,000 BTUs for every foot over that 8-foot ceiling height.

Also, for each person over the first two individuals, add an additional 600 BTUs to your formula.

All of these things will affect your unit’s cooling capacity. With that in mind, you’re now ready to choose from the different types of room air conditioners available on the market today.

 

So, How to Choose the Right Size Air Conditioner? Here is an example:

You’re looking for an air conditioner for a 10×15 room on the second floor with a 9-foot ceiling. A 10×15 room equals 150 square feet.

Since it’s on the second floor, multiply 150 by 40 to give us 6,000 BTUs.

We mentioned that the ceiling height was 9 feet, so we want to add an additional 1,000 BTUs.

You will need a 7,000 BTU air conditioner to properly cool this space.

 

Read: Best Portable AC for Bedroom

 

What are the Different Types of Air Conditioner?

These are the 6 different kinds of air conditioners:

1.   Window

2.   Casement

3.   Wall

4.   PTAC

5.   Mini Split and

6.   Portable

 

Window Air Conditioner:

Window ACs are the most common. They’re best for windows that slide up and down.

Casement Air Conditioner:

Casement ACs are also window units but are best for windows that slide left to right but usually with a hand crank.

Wall Air Conditioner:

Wall ACs are also common. They install through a wall of a building and require a sleeve. These sleeves are not included with the unit but can be found in the air conditioning accessories category.

PTAC Air Conditioner:

PTAK ACs which stands for Package Terminal Air Conditioners are self-contained heating and air conditioning units that are mostly found in hotels, apartments, condos, hospitals, sunrooms, or room additions. Like Wall ACs, they install in-wall and require a sleeve and external grille accessory to complete the installation.

The main difference between PTAC and Wall units is that all PTAC units will require 208/230 volts or higher to work.

Mini Split Air Conditioner:

Mini Split AC systems are electric heating and cooling systems that do not require ductwork. They consist of an indoor unit and an outdoor compressor. They install above a doorway or just below the ceiling.

These units are highly energy-efficient, can be added to every room of your home with the ability to customize the temperature in each room. Also, depending on the model, one compressor has the ability to control up to eight rooms.

Portable Air Conditioner:

Finally, portable air conditioners can be used in a windowless room or office. Although a room with a window is recommended for venting since the exhaust needs to go somewhere outside the room.

All of these units come in different sizes with cooling capacities ranging from 5000 to 48000 BTUs depending on the type and model. The size you need will depend on the room you want to be cooled.

 

Final Thoughts?

Keep in mind, if you incorrectly choose an air conditioner that has a higher BTU rating than what the room size requires, it will cycle off too quickly. The unit will not properly remove moisture from the air leaving the room feeling humid.

On the other hand, if you choose a unit that has a lower BTU rating than what the room size requires, the unit will run continuously. It will not adequately cool the room.

Just be sure to check the unit’s energy efficiency rating labeled as EER or SEER which is posted on every air conditioner. This will let you know the approximate yearly savings you’ll receive with an energy star appliance. The higher the rating the greater the savings.