Cooling systems should be chosen carefully given their cost and complexity. Pick the right type and size for the specific application. If you are set on getting a central air conditioner, then think hard about the size that will suit your home. This can be tricky with all the variables that come into play.
Why It’s Vital To Get The Size Right AC Unit
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Despite the difficulties, homeowners must do their best to find a matching AC unit. Failure to do so will have a number of consequences. When the AC is too small, then it will not have enough power to cool the entire house. You may enjoy a low initial cost but you will not be happy once the summer rolls in.
The other extreme is not good either. If the air conditioning system is too big, then the cost of acquisition will be unnecessarily high. The energy consumption will be excessive as well. This will lead to greater monthly energy bills. Since the house will get cool quickly, the cycling time will be very short. Frequently turning on and off will reduce the life span of the unit.
Aside from this, the short cycle period will also affect the indoor humidity level. The AC will not have enough time to reduce the moisture content in the air. The temperature may be low but the humid environment will still feel uncomfortable for the occupants. Get a unit that is of the right size to avoid these problems.
What To Consider
Before delving deeper into the sizing of your ideal A/C system, let’s get familiar with a few important technical terms that you will encounter while shopping. First is the SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This is defined as the annual measure of AC efficiency. You want to aim for higher numbers.
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. It is a measure of the AC’s cooling capacity. One BTU is equivalent to the amount of heat required to make the temperature of a pound of water rise up by one degree in Fahrenheit. As for unit conversions, 1 BTU is equal to 1,055 joules and 1 ton is equal to 12,000 BTU.
When consulting with an AC expert, these terms are taken into consideration. Typically, an air conditioner with a high SEER rating is more expensive. However, your monthly energy bills will be significantly less. This means that you may pay more initially for a unit with a high SEER rating but your unit will pay itself off quickly due to the reduced energy costs.
Different Calculation Methods
The simplest way is to get the home’s square footage, multiply it by 30, divide it by 12,000, and subtract 1 to the quotient. This equation provides a ballpark figure that may be useful in ideal conditions but not in most cases. A more realistic figure is obtained by considering the house orientation, regional climate, ceiling height, surrounding shade, and so on. The complex calculations are generally done through a computer that crunches the numbers much faster. Get the services of a professional air conditioner contractor for accurate numbers and enjoy excellent results.
A professional cooling contractor will use a Manual J calculation. They take specific aspects into consideration when sizing your unit. This includes the number of windows in your home, the square footage of your home, the number of household members, and much more. A homeowner should never purchase an AC system without consulting an AC expert first. Only a professional will be able to calculate the proper size of a unit that matches your home.
Air Conditioner Replacement Cost Newton NJ
For professional, friendly, and skilled air conditioning services, contact Princeton Heating & Air Conditioning. We have been providing AC services since 1942 and we offer free consultations. We will be able to size your home properly. This is vital for the function of your new air conditioner. It affects its energy efficiency and its ability to keep you comfortable. We also offer many different types of home services. For a detailed list of what PFO can offer you, click here.
We service Bryn Athyn PA 19009, Dresher PA 19025, Hatboro PA 19040, Horsham PA 19044, Huntingdon Valley PA 19006, Jamison PA 18929, Richboro PA 18954, Rushland PA 18956, Southampton PA 18966, Warminster PA 18974, Warrington PA 18976, Willow Grove PA 19090 , and surrounding areas!
Princeton Heating & Air Conditioning is an authorized dealer for Carrier heating and cooling systems. We are proud to be among the few providers in New Jersey to hold a Carrier Presidents Award Dealer distinction. This means that we have been recognized by the manufacturer of these high quality systems as providing excellent services in the HVAC industry. To learn about Carrier systems, click here.
Contact us now at (800) 253-9001 to find out more!