It is important to ensure that your AC unit is capable of efficiently cooling your home. In order to determine this, you need to make certain your system is the right size.

You can ascertain how large a space an AC system can cool by looking at its BTU rating. Here are the BTU ratings you’d need for common space sizes:

• 100 – 150 sq. ft.: 5,000 BTUs
• 150 – 250 sq. ft.: 6,000 BTUs
• 250 – 350 sq. ft.: 7,000 – 8,000 BTUs
• 350 – 450 sq. ft.: 8,000 – 10,000 BTUs
• 450 – 700 sq. ft.: 10,000 – 14,000 BTUs
• 700 – 1,000 sq. ft.: 18,000 BTUs
• 1,000 – 1,200 sq. ft.: 21,000 BTUs
• 1,200 – 1,400 sq. ft.: 23,000 BTUs
• 1,400 – 1,550 sq. ft.: 25,000 BTUs

If two or more people will be in the room, add another 600 BTUs per person. Also, if the ceiling is higher than eight feet, add 20% to the BTU rating that you expect to need. Other factors can also influence the AC size that’s necessary. For example, the amount of shade on your house or the number of sunny windows it contains could make a difference.

A System That Is Too Small

If you already have an AC is too small for your space, you may notice the signs outlined below.

The System Running Constantly

When your AC system runs constantly, this is an indication that it is not working efficiently. One reason for this is that the system itself could be too small to adequately cool the space. If this is the case, you should upgrade to a larger system.

Increasing Energy Bills

If your energy bills seem to be unusually high during the summer months, this could be a sign that your AC system is inefficient and needs to be replaced. In many cases, this is because the system is too small.

Problems Reaching an Ideal Temperature

An inefficient system will usually have difficulty reaching the temperature that you set. One reason for this inefficiency is that the unit you have is too small.

An AC Unit That Is Too Large

If your AC system is too large for your space, it could also cause issues. Here are a few signs that your AC system may be too big.

High Energy Bills

As you would expect, an oversized system will need a lot of power, which will lead to high energy bills. If this is the case, you may be able to significantly lower your electricity costs by switching to a smaller system.

Frequent Need for Repairs

An oversized AC system can develop a tendency to turn on and off repeatedly. It’s called short cycling, and it can cause components to wear out sooner than they otherwise would, requiring more repairs. This can become quite costly over time. If your system is too large, it is often more cost-effective to switch to a smaller unit.

Uneven Temperatures

An oversized system may cause temperatures that are excessively cool in areas that are close to the unit or vents. Switching to a more appropriately sized system will almost certainly eliminate this issue.

Outstanding Local HVAC Technicians

An air conditioning system that is too large or small should be replaced as soon as possible. So, if you need air conditioning system replacement in Levittown, PA or the surrounding area, get in touch with us at McHales today!