Choosing an Air Conditioner Size in Charlotte, NC
When it comes to air conditioners, a bigger system won’t necessarily cool your home any better than a smaller one. Generally speaking, the size you need all comes down to the cooling power your home requires and how big your home is. One of the best ways, however, to pick the right system as you go through your options for air conditioners is to choose a system with the right BTUs, or British Thermal Unit.
The BTU rating is a figure that lets you know how quickly and effectively an air conditioner can cool a particular room. For most air conditioners, BTU ratings range from 5,000 to more than 20,000. Keep in mind that a unit that’s oversized for a small space will cycle on and off and waste energy, while a unit with too few BTUs will struggle to cool the space effectively.
There are several factors you should consider as you think about what BTU rating your new system needs, such as location, the climate where you live, sun exposure, and ceiling height. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- If the room you want to cool receives significant sunlight during the day, go with a unit with 10% more BTUs than the size the room requires.
- If you’re picking a new unit for your kitchen, go with a system that has an additional 4,000 BTUs than is needed for the room size.
- For rooms that usually have more than two people in them, go for a unit with an additional 600 BTUs per person.
If you want more tips on picking the right air conditioner size, give us a call! We’re always more than happy to help.