August 16, 2018
When it comes to your air conditioning system, you want system that cools your home quickly without having to run non-stop all summer. This may lead you to believe that a bigger AC unit is always better, but did you know that it’s possible to have an AC unit that’s too big for your home?
You Could Have a Poorly Sized Air Conditioning Unit
AC unit size is the measure of an AC unit’s capacity to generate cool air, measured in BTU per hour or tons. Many HVAC specialists oversize air conditioning units, assuming that a home with a certain square footage is going to require a certain size unit. However, this leaves out factors such as how many exterior walls the house has, how much shading surrounds the house, recent energy efficiency upgrades, etc. It’s also possible to have an undersized unit, especially if you’ve recently built a new addition onto your home.
Sizing an AC unit for a house is an intricate process that involves assessing a household’s unique cooling needs and completing a manual J load calculation. If your HVAC contractor did not make these kinds of calculations when installing your air conditioner, chances are it’s improperly sized.
Signs that Your AC Unit Is Oversized or Undersized
It’s not always easy to tell if your air conditioner is improperly sized. Here’s what you should know.
Oversized units
...tend to run for short periods of time, cooling your home without properly removing humidity. Units that are too big also tend to waste energy and undergo more wear and tear because they are constantly shutting on and off. Other symptoms of an oversized air conditioner include poor indoor air quality, inconsistent indoor temperatures, loud operation, and high energy bills.
Undersized units
...tend to run constantly without ever cooling your home. Other signs of an AC unit that is too small include high energy bills, inconsistent indoor temperatures, and excess indoor humidity.
Get a Properly Sized AC Unit for Your Home
Your air conditioning unit shouldn’t be a source of discomfort and high utility bills. If you think your air conditioner is poorly sized for your house, get in touch with Green Collar Operations. As local HVAC experts in Austin, TX, we can help you assess your system and determine if it’s time to replace your air conditioner. And if AC replacement is the best route, we’ll size your new unit properly and perform a seamless installation to give you the energy savings you want from your system.