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Apr 3, 2023

How to Choose the Right Size Air Conditioning Unit for Your Home

Do you feel exhausted from sweating excessively during the summer season? It’s time to invest in an air conditioning unit that will keep you cool and comfortable all season long. But before you rush out to purchase the first air conditioner you find, it’s important to make sure you choose the right size unit for your home. A unit that is too small won’t be able to keep up with the demands of your home, while a unit that is too large will waste energy and money.

In this blog, as a leading service provider for air conditioning services in Los Angeles, Season Control will guide you through the process of choosing the right size air conditioning unit for your home.

Before we dive into how to choose the right size air conditioning unit, let’s take a quick look at the different types of units available on the market. There exist various types of air conditioning units, which include:

window units
portable units
central air conditioning systems

Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to consider which type will work best for your home and your needs.

Understanding BTUs

When it comes to choosing the right size air conditioning unit, one of the most important factors to consider is BTUs (British Thermal Units). BTUs are used to measure the cooling capacity of an air conditioning unit. The greater the BTU rating, the higher the cooling capacity of the air conditioning unit. However, it’s important to note that simply choosing the unit with the highest BTUs isn’t always the best option. Choosing a unit with too many BTUs can actually be less efficient and more expensive in the long run.

Factors to Consider

Size of Your Home

The initial aspect to take into account is the size of your residence. A larger home will require a larger air conditioning unit to properly cool the entire space. Conversely, a smaller home may only require a smaller unit.

Number of Rooms

The number of rooms you need to cool is also an important factor to consider. If you only need to cool one or two rooms, a smaller unit may be sufficient. However, if you need to cool multiple rooms or a larger space, a larger unit may be necessary.

Climate

The climate in your area is another factor to consider. If you live in a hotter climate, you will likely need a larger air conditioning unit to properly cool your home. If you live in a cooler climate, a smaller unit may be sufficient.

Insulation

The level of insulation in your home is also an important factor to consider. A home with poor insulation will require a larger air conditioning unit to compensate for the loss of cool air. Conversely, a home with good insulation will require a smaller unit.

Choosing the Right Size Unit

Now that you understand the factors to consider when choosing the right size air conditioning unit, let’s take a look at how to determine the appropriate size for your home.

Step 1: Calculate the Square Footage

The first step is to calculate the square footage of your home. This can be done by measuring the length and width of each room and multiplying them together to get the total square footage.

Step 2: Determine the Cooling Capacity Needed

Once you have calculated the square footage of your home, you can use a cooling capacity calculator to determine the appropriate BTUs for your unit. A good rule of thumb is to have 20 BTUs per square foot of living space.

Step 3: Choose the Right Unit

After determining the appropriate cooling capacity needed for your home, you can now choose the right air conditioning unit for your space. It’s important to note that you should always choose a unit with a cooling capacity that is close to the calculated number. Choosing a unit with too few BTUs will result in an inadequate cooling performance, while a unit with too many BTUs will result in wasted energy and money.

Choose the Right Air Conditioning Unit for Your Los Angeles Home with Season Control

Choosing the right size air conditioning unit for your home is crucial in ensuring your comfort and energy efficiency during the summer months. Season Control will help you with everything needed for your space, including selecting a unit with close to design cooling capacity and professionally installing it for optimal performance.