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Properly Sized Room Air Conditioners

Capacity of any cooling machine is known in 'ton'. Ton here means One ton of water (1,000kg). If we take water which is already cooled at 0 degree centigrade and switch on the machine, then quantity of ice produced in 24 hours (one day) will determine its capacity. Many people buy an air conditioner that is too large, thinking it will provider better cooling. However, an oversized air conditioner is actually less effective and wastes energy at the same time. Air conditioners remove both heat and humidity from the air. If the unit is too large, it will cool the room quickly, but only remove some of the humidity. This leaves the room with a damp, clammy feeling. A properly sized unit will remove humidity effectively as it cools.

To figure out which size unit is best for your cooling needs:
1. Determine the square footage of the area to be cooled using the following formulas: For square and rectangular rooms, multiply the length of the area by its width. For a triangular area, multiply the length of the area by the width and divide by 2

Most rooms can be further divided into these basic shapes to determine the square footage.

If the shape of your room is other than square or rectangular, ask your sales associate to help you determine the square footage.

2. Using the square footage and the chart below, determine the correct cooling capacity. Cooling capacity is measured in British thermal units (BTUs) per hour. Area To Be Cooled (square feet)
100 to 150

Capacity Needed (BTUs per hour)

5,000

150 to 250

6,000

250 to 300

7,000

300 to 350

8,000

350 to 400

9,000

400 to 450

10,000

450 to 550

12,000

550 to 700

14,000

700 to 1,000

18,000

1,000 to 1,200

21,000

1,200 to 1,400

23,000

1,400 to 1,500

24,000

1,500 to 2,000

30,000

2,000 to 2,500

34,000

3. Add additional BTUs for these factors: a. + 4,000 BTUs for each room below a ceiling or roof which is not insulated b. + 4,000 BTUs for a home or residential kitchen included in the cooled area c. + 1,500 BTUs for each window which receives significant daily sunshine d. + 1,500 BTUs for a room over a kitchen or boiler room IF the kitchen or boiler room is actively producing heat during the cooling period e. + 600 BTUs per person over two, if more than two occupants will be occupying the room during the cooling period 4. Subtract BTUs from the total required if these factors are present: - 1,000 BTUs if the room is on the shaded side of the building 5. Calculate the final total BTU needed from the above steps. This should place you in the right range of cooling capacity needed. Review the warning below about buying an oversized air conditioner