Things can become confusing very quickly when you are shopping around for a new air conditioning unit for your home. You’ll encounter several technical terms and some numbers that may be difficult to understand. Learning the basics of how air conditioners are measured will ensure that you choose the right system for your home without wasting your money and being overcome with stress.
What on Earth Are BTUs Anyway?
You will see some numbers on the side of the box of every air conditioning system with the letters BTU after it. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. This is a scientific measurement for heat energy. One BTU determines how much energy you need to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree.
Of course, the context is slightly different for cooling. The BTU rating tells you how much heat the air conditioner can remove from your home in one hour.
Bigger Doesn’t Always Mean Better
You may think that if you buy the biggest system that you can find, you’ll have the best results in terms of cooling power. This isn’t true. Purchasing a system that is too large for your home will work against you in several ways. The indoor humidity will be stifling. This is because the air conditioner will cool your home so fast and then shut off before it has a chance to pull humidity out of the air. Mold will grow quickly. The infestation can become expensive to mitigate if it gets large enough.
What Happens When the Unit Is Too Small?
A unit that is too small can also work against you. The system won’t have enough power to reach your temperature target, which means it will run constantly and eventually burn out the compressor motor. Your electricity bills will also go through the roof. Your home will also be uncomfortable and humid.
How to Get the Correct Unit for Your Home
Working with an HVAC professional will ensure that you purchase a system that will meet your cooling needs. They will start out by measuring your home’s square footage. You will need 20 BTUs of cooling power for every square foot of space, but this is just the starting point. Other measurements that they will include are the layout of your home, how many windows face the sun, and the number of heat-generating appliances and devices that you will run each day.
Buying the right system means that you will have what it takes to brave the sweltering heat of summer. You’ll keep your money in your pocket and feel refreshed. When you need AC installation services in Tampa Bay, FL, contact Integrity Home Solutions.