The climate of Los Angeles County and the surrounding areas is characterized as Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild but rainy winters. If you live in the area, you may wonder, what size AC unit do I need for my home? Selecting the appropriate size AC for your space is important to ensure it runs as efficiently and effectively as possible. The experts at Fleetwell Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing have the answer to this question and more, so you know why choosing the right AC size matters.
Why Choosing the Right AC Size Matters
Although it may seem logical that a bigger AC will provide better cooling, that isn’t necessarily the case. Choosing the right AC size matters for comfort, energy efficiency, and more.
Comfort
If your AC is too small, it will have difficulty cooling the entire space, leading to uneven temperatures. Units that are too small must work harder to keep the indoor temperature comfortable. An AC unit that’s too large can cool your home too fast, so it won’t run long enough to remove humidity from the air. This may cause humidity issues that lead to discomfort and mold or mildew growth.
Energy efficiency
An undersized AC consumes more energy as it constantly tries to reach the desired temperature. This results in higher utility costs, making it more expensive for homeowners during the summer. However, an AC that’s too large has to cycle on and off frequently, which also wastes energy and causes excess wear and tear on the system. The right-sized AC should run more quietly and help you save money while lowering your carbon footprint.
System lifespan
An undersized AC unit will overwork, eventually leading to costly repairs, inconvenient system breakdowns, and the potential for premature failure. An AC unit that is too large might short-cycle too often, damaging important components and reducing its lifespan. Choosing the appropriate size is extremely important if you want your brand-new air conditioner to last a long time.
AC Sizing Guide by Home Square Footage
The experienced professionals at Fleetwell Air Conditioning can perform a thorough assessment to help you determine the best AC size based on your unique needs and your home’s square footage. Generally, you should aim for approximately one ton of cooling capacity for every 400 to 600 square feet of living space. Homes with multiple floors are calculated by adding the square footage of each floor together.
Assessing your BTU (British Thermal Unit) needs is also important, and most homeowners need around 20 to 25 BTUs per square foot. BTU is the unit of measurement required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Multiply your home’s total square footage by this number (20-25) to better understand your cooling needs in BTUs.
Next, you’ll want to convert the BTUs to tons to help you select the right size air conditioner. One ton of air conditioning is equal to 12,000 BTUs. You’ll divide the total BTUs you need by 12,000 to determine the tonnage your home requires.
What Size AC for Common Home Types?
Here are some examples of the correct size AC for common home types. Keep in mind that these numbers are just a point of reference, and other factors may affect what size AC is best for your home.
Studio apartment
Most studio apartments are approximately 600 square feet or less. So, what size air conditioner for a studio apartment is best? This size home should have an AC that provides 20 BTU per square foot or a one-ton unit with a maximum of 12,000 BTU.
1,000 to 1,300 square foot home
A 1,000- to 1,300-square-foot home typically has two bedrooms. For this size home, you’d need an AC unit with approximately 1.75 tons, or 21,000 BTUs. The unit should provide adequate cooling.
1,400 to 1,600 square foot home
What size AC for a 1,500 sq. ft. home is best? If your home is between 1,400 and 1,600 square feet, an AC unit for up to a 1,600 sq. ft. home should be approximately two tons or 24,000 BTUs.
1,800 to 2,000 square foot home
Homes of this size usually have around three or more bedrooms. What size AC for a 2,000 sq. ft. home is best? These homes should typically have a 2.5-ton or 30,000 BTU-sized unit for optimum cooling.
2,000 to 2,200 square foot home
If your home is larger than 2,000 square feet but no bigger than 2,200 square feet, you’ll need the right size AC unit. For the best cooling, a 33,000 BTU or 2.75-ton AC unit is recommended for homes of this size.
Other Factors That Affect AC Sizing
Several other factors may affect your choice of the proper AC sizing. If you’re considering a new AC installation or need to upgrade your current air conditioner, remember these things when speaking to the experts at Fleetwell Air Conditioning.
- Ceiling height: If your home’s rooms are taller than the standard eight feet, you may need to increase the BTU capacity by around 10% for every additional foot of ceiling height.
- Sun exposure: If certain areas of your home receive a lot of sunlight, we recommend increasing your BTU capacity by 10% to ensure the most consistent, reliable cooling.
- Insulation: Homes with good insulation retain cooled air quite well, but if your home’s insulation is poor, you may need to purchase a higher BTU AC unit to offset it.
- Rooms and usage: Certain rooms, like the kitchen or homes with many people, may require extra cooling, which equates to approximately 4,000 BTUs for the kitchen and around 600 BTUs per additional person if you have a large family.
- Windows and doors: Large windows or south-facing windows take in extra heat, so you may need to adjust the BTUs upward slightly to get the best cooling.
- Energy efficiency: Besides size, consider a new AC unit with a high SEER rating to provide the best possible cooling capacity and energy efficiency.
Contact Fleetwell Air Conditioning Today
The experienced Fleetwell Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing team is available to help you select the right size air conditioner for your home. If you live in Los Angeles County or the surrounding areas, you can trust Fleetwell to thoroughly assess and work with you to determine your household’s cooling needs. If you’d like to schedule a consultation for professional AC sizing and installation services, call us today!
