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If you are installing a new air conditioner in your house, you must first determine the size of the unit you will need. An undersized unit will not cool your room effectively in hot weather and an oversized one will affect your comfort adversely.

If the AC is small, it leads to the formation of hot spots in distant rooms. It will run longer, trying to compensate for the low cooling power with continuous operation. This will lead to frequent repairs and high utility bills.

 

If the AC is too big, it will reach its thermostat set point more quickly, thereby switching on and off too often. Your room will not be dehumidified effectively and the AC will require frequent repairs from excessive wear and tear. The initial cost of this unit is high and it also consumes more energy.

It is better for you to enlist the help of an expert to find an air conditioner which best suits your space and lifestyle. If you want to upgrade your AC, Aire One Peel Heating & Cooling can help. We offer heating and cooling solutions to our clients in Mississauga and the surrounding areas. Our technicians have years of experience in installing and maintaining HVAC equipment.

 

DETERMINE THE AIR CONDITIONER TONNAGE YOU REQUIRE

The cooling capacity of air conditioners is expressed in tonnage (1 ton= 12,000 British Thermal Units (BTU)). BTU refers to the amount of heat a unit can remove from the air per hour. Therefore, a model with a higher BTU rating has more cooling power. Residential central air conditioner models usually come in sizes ranging from 1.5 tons to 5 tons.

 

CALCULATE THE SIZE OF YOUR SPACE

It is estimated that most ACs need around 20 Btu to cool each square foot of living space. Factors such as the height of the ceiling and the size of the windows or doorways are also essential while calculating the cooling power.

To calculate the area of your room, multiply the length of the room by its width. Spare some time to make accurate measurements.

Here are a few factors you will have to consider while determining the size of your AC:

• Type of insulation and roof in your house
• Heat transfer through the walls
• Maximum summer temperature in your place

Here are a few situations where you may have to make adjustments to your calculations:

• Reduce the capacity by 10 percent if the room is heavily shaded.
• Increase the capacity by 10 percent if the room is very sunny.
• If over two people occupy the room regularly, add 600 BTU for every additional person.

• Increase the capacity by 4,000 BTU if the unit is used in the kitchen.

 

CALCULATION OF MANUAL J OR J LOAD

The Manual J or J Load Calculation helps determine the heating and cooling loads of a particular house or building. The air conditioning professional will take into account several factors while determining it. Calculating it manually is quite a time-consuming task. However, HVAC contractors have access to different software solutions to do it very quickly.

 

CHECK THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATINGS

Make sure you buy an air conditioner which has a high energy efficiency rating. Though their initial cost may be higher than the other models, you will save up with low utility bills in the long run. An inverter technology AC can save more as it offers flexible tonnage. Ensure the ACs have revised star rating labels.

 

TAKE YOUR PERSONAL PREFERENCES INTO CONSIDERATION

It is very essential to remember that every household is different; people like different degrees of warmth and cooling depending on their lifestyles. For instance, some people like to sleep in a warm cozy space while others prefer a cooler environment to drift off in. You have to determine the ideal temperature for your family and in which part of your home you spend the most time in. This will give you a good idea about the areas of your house which require a more powerful unit.

You will understand your requirements better after assessing all these factors. Get in touch with the air conditioning technicians at Aire One Heating and Cooling to explore the different available models. We provide high-quality products and also offer air conditioner and furnace repair services. Contact us today for a free estimate.