How to Size AC for Room: Tips and Tricks

When hunting for an air conditioner for your room, you have several factors to consider. One of the most crucial choices is the size of your AC. Ending up with an air conditioner that is either oversized or undersized will result in deficiencies, such as discomfort or inefficiency. 

In referring to an air conditioner's size, we mean its cooling capacity rather than its physical measurements. Thus, when determining how to size an AC unit for room optimization, consider the size of the room in question and how much power it might take to cool it. To help you out, we'll explain exactly what to look for when shopping for your AC unit.

Once you've secured the perfect AC, you'll need to keep up with its maintenance and repairs. For the best results, trust Inman AC repair by Smooth Sailing Heating and Cooling. Call us at (864) 689-2303 for a free estimate.

How to Calculate AC Size

When sizing your air conditioner, consider two measurements: the area in square feet of the room it will cool and the AC's cooling capacity in British Thermal Units (BTUs). To find your perfect AC size, multiply your room's length by its width to find the area, then multiply the area by 25 BTUs. In other words, your AC unit should be 25 BTUs per square foot.

• Example: 10L x 12W = 120 square feet x 25 BTUs = 3000 BTUs

In this example, an AC unit with a cooling capacity of 3000 BTUs would be ideal for the room. 

Other Factors to Consider

However, this calculation may not be enough in every scenario. For example, if the room in question is a kitchen, which would produce more heat than a bedroom or living room, you'll need some extra power in your AC unit. If it's your bedroom and you regularly have a ceiling fan cooling the room, you can opt for a smaller unit. 

Some other factors include:

• The room's material
• The ceiling height and color
• The average number of people in the room
• Sun exposure

Online BTU calculators allow you to plug in numbers for these conditions to provide more accurate calculations.

Undersized and Oversized AC

If you can't find an AC with the exact BTU sizing you require, it's often better to go with a slightly larger one to ensure it can cool your room sufficiently. Choosing an AC unit that's undersized or too oversized will produce complications.

An undersized air conditioner will struggle to cool your room to the desired temperature. It must work harder to meet your comfort standards, lowering the unit's efficiency and resulting in high energy bills. Further, the extra work your AC puts in could cause it to overheat or break down and require expensive repairs. 

On the other hand, an oversized air conditioner will cool too quickly to lower your indoor humidity effectively. AC units pull moisture from the air as they cool, but an oversized unit won't run long enough. The result will be a room that feels uncomfortably muggy. 

Signs of a Missized AC

• It's hot or humid indoors
• Your AC unit doesn't turn off automatically
• The AC's cooling cycle is short
• Loud noises coming from the AC
• Your monthly electricity bills are unusually low or high

What Kind of Air Conditioner is Best?

Another factor to remember when considering how to size AC for your room is what kind of unit will work best. Buying the right air conditioner type can maximize your comfort.

Though a window air conditioner and a portable air conditioner are fine choices, we recommend a wall-mounted built-in unit. The typically high positioning of these air conditioners helps them more effectively circulate air and cool rooms thoroughly and evenly. Portable and window air conditioners can produce spotty room temperatures. 

That said, plenty of new portable and window air conditioners account for their low positioning. If you opt for one of these models, research its ability to evenly and thoroughly cool your room.

Call Smooth Sailing Heating and Cooling Today

Hopefully, you've found this article helpful in understanding how to size AC for your room. Finding the perfect air conditioner can be difficult for the inexperienced. However, stick to these tips and tricks, and we're confident you'll make the right choice.

Talk to one of our experts at Smooth Sailing Heating and Cooling to know more tips on how to make your AC more efficient. We're happy to share our experience and knowledge in all things air conditioning. 

Call us today at (864) 689-2303 for more info and to schedule service!