Time for a new air conditioner? There are a few things to keep in mind. Selecting the right system for your North Carolina home and pairing it with expert AC installation can help you stay cool while also ensuring that your system is as efficient as possible. We’ll go through all of the things you’ll need to consider to make the best choice for your family.
Why Choosing the Right Central Air Unit Size Matters
Choosing the right central air size for your home helps with energy efficiency and keeps you cool without wasting money. The right size air conditioning unit will cool your home evenly, without fluctuations or spots that never seem to get cool enough. An undersized AC will keep running while never reaching the desired temperature. An oversized AC, however, will turn off and on rapidly, known as “short cycling,” which is bad for the unit itself (adding extra wear and tear and maintenance costs).
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Helpful Guidelines for Choosing the Right AC Size: AC Size Chart
The square footage of your home is an essential factor in selecting the proper size AC unit. Home size and the local climate are the first things to consider. The rating for the capacity of an air conditioning unit is measured in tons, which indicates how much heat an air conditioner can remove from the space per hour.
These guidelines can help you get started in choosing the best AC size for a home in North Carolina:
- 600 – 950 square feet: 1.5 tons
- 950 – 1,250 square feet: 2 tons
- 1,250 – 1,550 square feet: 2.5 tons
- 1,550 – 1,850 square feet: 3 tons
- 1,850 – 2,150 square feet: 3.5 tons
- 2,150 – 2,500 square feet: 4 tons
- 2,500 – 3,100 square feet: 4.5 tons
Other AC Size Factors to Consider: Home and Lifestyle
In addition to the size of your home, you’ll want to consider how your home itself and the way you live in it can impact your cooling needs. Is your home in the full, blazing sun? Is it poorly insulated, or are the windows and doors less than energy-efficient? If so, you might need a stronger AC unit than what’s recommended for the size of your home.
Lifestyle considerations, such as how many people live in your home and whether you cook a lot, can also impact your cooling needs. An experienced air conditioning installer will consider all of these things when helping you select the right AC system for your home.
Can Your Electrical System Handle a New AC Unit?
It’s also a great idea to make sure your electrical system can handle the stress your new air conditioning unit might put on it. What size breaker you need for AC units can vary based on the size of your air conditioner, but in general, an AC unit requires a dedicated circuit providing between 30 and 60 amps. You can find the power requirements for your air conditioner in the owner’s manual or by contacting the manufacturer.
Cool and Energy-Efficient: Installing Your New AC
Hopefully, we’ve helped you get a solid start on choosing your new air conditioner! When you’re ready for installation or want an expert opinion about the right AC for your home, contact the pros at The Plumbing & Air Service Co. Call (336) 502-8540 or request service online.