What Size A/C Do I Need?

It gets hot throughout the state of Louisiana, especially in the summer months. Air conditioning systems help make it cooler in your homes and allow us to remain comfortable. Despite how many people own and use air conditioners on a regular basis, few really know much about them. The most common question we probably have is how big of an AC I need to keep my home cool. We will explain how to determine what size AC you need for your home.

To properly understand what size AC you need, you must know about the various units of measurement used to measure energy efficiency and cooling ability. First, is British Thermal Units or BTU. It is the amount of energy required to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The higher the BTU, the more easily it can cool a large space. There is also SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It measures the total amount of cooling provided during the entire cooling season divided by the total amount of energy used. The higher the SEER is, the more energy-efficient the unit is. You are going to want a unit that has the right amount of BTU to keep your home cool and as high of a SEER as you can find to reduce cooling costs.

The main factor to consider when choosing the size you need is your square footage. Naturally, the more square footage your home has, the larger the unit you will need. For a home that covers 1,200 to 1,400 square feet, you will need a unit with about 23,000 BTU. If you are trying to cool a room with a window AC, a 100 to 150-square-foot room will need about 5,000 BTU. So, be sure to know the square footage of the area you want to cool.

At Walters Sheet Metal, Inc., we provide air conditioning units to Leesville, LA, and the surrounding community. We carry a variety of AC units to meet everyone’s needs. If you are unsure what size you need for your home, just ask us. Our professional staff members would be happy to discuss with you which size is right for you. Contact us today to order your AC unit!