Choosing the Proper A/C for Your Living Space
An air conditioner is a great way to escape the hot summer sun and turn your home into a cool, comfortable environment. But not all homes have the same needs. Depending on your region and the size of your home, the strength and type of air conditioning system you require will vary.
The US Department of Energy provides a formula for determining a room’s cooling needs. First you must determine the square footage of a room. For rectangular areas, multiply the length by the width. For triangular spaces, multiply the length by the width, and divide by 2. These numbers represent the area of your room in square feet. The chart below will tell you the strength of the air conditioning unit you need, assuming your rooms are 8-feet tall.
Cooling capacity is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units), per hour, in tons.
| Area to Be Cooled (in square feet) | Capacity Needed (BTUs per hour) |
|---|---|
| 100-150 | 5,000 |
| 150-250 | 6,000 |
| 250-300 | 7,000 |
| 350-400 | 9,000 |
| 400-450 | 10,000 |
| 550-700 | 14,000 |
| 700-1,000 | 18,000 |
For economical as well as efficiency concerns, it’s important to select a unit that is the right size for your home. An air conditioner that is inadequate will not cool your home well, and will increase your electric bills; while an air conditioner that’s too strong will cycle off too often and not dehumidify the air properly.
Even though you’ve roughly figured out your home’s cooling needs, it’s important to consult with a professional air conditioning contractor. Only he can properly factor in your home’s building material, level of insulation, and the number of windows in a given space. While your own estimate will help give you a ball park figure of what you might expect to spend, an expert should help you make a final decision.
SEER Rating
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) is based on a scale from 10 – 16. Though a higher SEER level will increase the price of the unit, it will also mean a longer warranty and a lower utility bill. While a unit with a lower SEER level may have a lower initial cost, it will be much more expensive over time. Depending on whether you live in a warmer climate like Long Beach, where you will likely run the air conditioner for many months of the year, the SEER level can be a particularly important economical factor.
Once you have an idea of your home’s cooling needs, you’ll have to choose the type of air conditioner you want. There are window units, which are used to cool individual rooms, or central air units, which provide cool air throughout the house. Decide how many rooms you wish to cool and determine what option is the most efficient for you. If you require a powerful unit, consult with a certified electrician to be sure your home has adequate amp capacity to power the unit.
Whatever unit you choose, research and consultation will result in a better choice, and ultimately a lower utility bill, and a cooler, more pleasant home.
