A new air conditioning system has to follow what we like to call the Goldilocks Rule: neither too large nor too small but just right. Most people know that an underpowered air conditioner won’t cool your home efficiently—a huge problem in cities like Westlake, OH, with its hot and humid summers—but it may surprise you to learn that overpowered systems can cause even more damage. If it’s too big, your system will short-cycle: turning on and off rapidly and wasting all kinds of energy as well as adding unnecessary wear and tear to your system.
Oversizing is one potential cause, but there are several other reasons an air conditioner may short cycle.
A trained professional can size your air conditioner properly, to ensure that it’s the right power levels for you. Here are 3 factors involved in sizing your new air conditioner.
1. Square Footage
Square footage is the most obvious variable to a properly sized AC unit. Most units require 12,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour for every 500 square feet of space, though the square footage of your kitchen requires a little more since cooking creates excess heat.
2. Insulation
Insulation does more than just keep heat in during the winter. It also keeps heat out during the summer. A home with more insulation doesn’t need an air conditioner as powerful as a home without good insulation.
3. Sunlight Exposure
Picture windows are a wonderful way to enhance the aesthetic value of your home, and they also factor into air conditioning size. If they allow a lot of sunlight in—especially if they face the east or the west—then the sun is going to heat up your home and you’ll likely need an air conditioning unit with more power.
The trained professionals at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning have experience in sizing new air conditioners and can ensure that yours functions exactly as it’s supposed to. Pick up the phone and give us a call today to make an appointment!
