What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?
If you’re ready for a high-efficiency cooling equipment upgrade for your Maryland home (if your A/C is more than 12 years old, you probably should be), there are many factors to consider before y
ou make the investment.
One of the most important of those factors is size – or, more accurately, size matching. The question is, what are you matching the size of your cooling system to?
Many less experienced air conditioning contractors will reduce the A/C size matching equation to a Btu–to-square footage formula (you can find a bunch of them online). But that approach won’t help you get the most from your cooling equipment.
To do the job right – whether you plan to use a central air conditioner or heat pump – you need to consider your home’s cooling load.
What is cooling load?
Cooling load is a calculation that determines the amount of heat that needs to be removed from your home to consistently maintain the temperature set on your thermostat.
A number of factors contribute to cooling load, including:
- The square footage and layout of the house
- The quality and quantity of your insulation and air sealing
- The type of construction materials from which your house is built
- How much sun or shade the house is regularly exposed to
- The number, type, and location of windows you have
- And more
As you might imagine given all these considerations, accurately estimating cooling load isn’t easy – which is why you should always choose an experienced A/C contractor to help you. It’s a worthwhile investment, considering that a right-sized air-conditioning system can reduce energy usage by up to 35 percent!
Ready to replace your home air conditioner? We’re ready to help! Contact Carroll Home Services today to get a FREE estimate on a new home cooling system for your Maryland home – just in time for the lazy, hazy days of summer!
