Shopping for a new air conditioner entails a good deal of planning. A person cannot simply walk into a store and grab a unit that he fancies without checking for the list of specifications. This is because ACs are meant to be functional appliances that make the home more livable. They are especially needed in hot climates. There are several types to cater to different needs. Some are able to cool a whole building while others are limited to a single room. Most households will opt for the latter. The question is how do they find the perfect fit?
British Thermal Units
The British Thermal Unit or BTU rating of an air conditioner is arguably one of the most important factors that must be considered. One BTU is defined as the energy required to raise the temperature of a pound of water by a degree Fahrenheit. Translated to a more familiar unit of power, one BTU per hour is equivalent to 0.293 watts. Greater power is often desirable but only to an extent. The greater the cooling capacity of a unit, the bigger and heavier it is. It will also be more expensive compared to its smaller brethren.
When getting an air conditioner how many BTU to look for will depend on the size of the room. BTU and room size are directly proportional to each other. There are exhaustive tables detailing the appropriate number of BTU for typical room dimensions. For instance, a 10ft x 15ft room will require around 5400 BTUs while a 40ft x 40ft room will require 32000 BTUs. Note that these figures assume a mild climate. Those living in warmer regions should bump up the specs by 10 to 20%. If the ceiling is higher that normal and if the layout of the room is irregular then a 10% increase may also be merited.
If you have questions about air conditioner specifications, the best way to get them answered is to ask qualified HVAC professionals. We can help you choose your next unit for the best fit possible. Call us to learn more about air conditioner sizes and efficiency.