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If you’re asking yourself, “What size AC do I need?” then you’re in the right place. Choosing the wrong AC unit size can severely impact its functionality in your home. Too small, and you won’t have enough air production to fit the needs of the space. Luckily, Home Comfort Experts is around the corner to help. 

Home Comfort Experts has been installing and repairing property AC units for over 15 years. Through many years of hard work, we’ve been able to refine our AC services to the efficient, fast-acting caliber they are today. In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to successfully determine what size AC unit is right for your home.

The Importance of Choosing the Right HVAC Unit Size 

Choosing a larger unit won’t necessarily improve airflow. In fact, it can substantially impact the amount and speed of the air you receive.

In addition to issues with consistent air production, choosing the incorrect size unit can spike your energy bill. Your unit will continue to work overtime, making the amount of time and energy it uses even greater.

Here are a few scenarios:

When Your Air Conditioner Is Too Small  

If your AC unit is too small, the amount of air you need won’t be able to be produced efficiently. The unit will end up running longer than it should, impacting both your energy bill and the unit itself.

This overproduction of air can cause costly damage, from part malfunction and inconsistent production to loss of power. If you’ve already caught on to these issues, call Home Comfort Experts to explore larger units.

When Your Air Conditioner Is Too Large  

A larger unit than necessary can cause a plethora of problems. Because larger units produce air at a much faster and larger rate, they tend to have issues cycling on and off. 

Since your air conditioner will continue to cycle, you’ll end up paying the price through higher monthly energy bills.

Choosing the Best HVAC System for Your Home

The best air conditioner for your home depends on your square footage. It also depends on whether you have existing ducts or not. Below are some key points to consider.

Determine the Best Type of Air Conditioner for Your Home

The main types of units we install include ductless, split systems, and packaged units. All three offer unique benefits that may be suitable for your home based on your preferences.

A split system is the most common. Split systems work by using a combination of indoor and outdoor units to control the humidity and temperature in your home. 

A ductless system, also called a mini-split, is the second most popular choice. It uses a single outdoor unit that connects to other indoor units. Ductless systems are great for homes that do not have existing ducts.

Lastly, packaged systems are the most simplistic type. A packaged system consists of a single outdoor unit that connects to your ductwork. These types of units are great for smaller homes or homes without an attic or basement.

Assess the HVAC Size You Require Based on Ratings

Don’t go into the decision blindly. There are plenty of professional resources (such as us at Home Comfort Experts) available that can help you make an informed decision when choosing an HVAC unit for your home.

There are a few elements that go into the selection process that truly make or break a unit’s eligibility. Our HVAC specialist can help you determine what unit you need to match the current square footage of your home.

We base our recommendations on these factors:

• Quality of ductwork
• Quality of home insulation
• Amount of direct sun exposure
• Number of people who live in the home
• Usage of heat-generating appliances
• Geographic climate and average temperatures
• Quality and number of windows and exterior doors
• Home construction materials (i.e., brick, wood, etc.)
• Home features that modify indoor temperature (i.e., fireplace, sunroom, etc.)

What is a SEER rating?  

A SEER or ‘seasonal energy efficiency ratio’ calculates how much energy an air conditioning unit is using during an average cooling season.

The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient a unit is. If the SEER rating is low, it’s most likely due to malfunctioning or ill-fitting units that cannot produce consistent air. You’ll find that the most common SEER rating for a unit is 22, so anything above that is most likely a two-stage model.

What is a BTUh rating? 

Based on an hour-long cycle, BTUh ratings measure how long it takes for your unit to remove heat. BTUh measurements are taken in tons (or tonnage) and labeled as ton units. Each rating falls within 0.5 increments, meaning most ratings will look like 1.5 or 2.5. 

Consider an Energy Audit and Perform a Manual J Calculation

Choosing the right unit size may feel tricky, but it really comes down to two things: climate and space. If you have room for a larger unit in a way that retains its efficiency, go for it. 

An energy audit is a surefire way to know if the unit you’ve chosen will seamlessly blend into your home. The benefits of a professional energy audit include a prolonged unit lifespan, increased energy efficiency, and year-round power.

The Manual J efficiency calculation monitors the effectiveness of these factors:

• Climate Zone
• Ductwork
• Number / Style of Windows
• Natural Sun Exposure
• Quality / Amount of Insulation
• Number of Residents 

Want an expert energy audit? Contact Home Comfort Experts and receive one today.

How To Calculate the Ideal AC Size for Your Home

You may be feeling a bit lost with the calculation process, so allow us to simplify it a bit. To get the correct tonnage necessary for a perfectly-fit AC unit, multiply your home’s square footage by 30, then divide by 12,000. This should give you the exact tonnage your preferred unit requires. 

1) Select the Top AC Installation Company

We know we’re not the only HVAC company out there, but do the others care about your home comfort the same way we do? As a locally endorsed and family-run HVAC company, we’re fit to find you the best air conditioner for your home.

Installation is an important piece of a high-functioning AC. If a unit is incorrectly installed, you can expect it to show signs of deterioration quickly. Trust Home Comfort Experts to install your new AC unit without the hassle.

2) Common Mistakes To Avoid When Sizing Your AC Unit 

Choosing a new AC unit can be tough, but it’s important to consider room-specific requirements and measure before you choose a new AC unit. Some common mistakes we see people—and other companies—make include:

• Not Accounting for Room Size and Layout
• Underestimating Heat-Generating Appliances
• Not Considering the Number of Occupants
• Relying on Generic Sizing Charts Alone
• Neglecting the Climate and Local Conditions
• Skipping Professional Assessment

24/7 Emergency Response to Any HVAC Issues

Service with us doesn’t end after your new unit is installed. We promise to routinely monitor the strength, efficiency, and lifespan of your unit, catching any issues that may have developed in our absence.

No matter the hour, call us for fast-acting HVAC repair in your area. Without hesitation, we send out a team of experts to locate, mitigate, or remove issues. Contact us the second you notice your AC unit has lost efficiency, and we’ll fix the issue promptly.

Contact Home Comfort Experts for Reliable Air Conditioning Solutions in Fort Wayne & Across Indiana & Michigan 

Because we’re invested in the comfort of your home, we stay available. Greater Fort Wayne & Michigan homeowners may find us an easily-accessible home improvement service ready to serve at your convenience.

Trust that our highly customizable services have something, or multiple things, that could improve the safety, efficiency, and leisure of your home.