When designing or renovating a home, you need to make many decisions. One that you may have not thought about very much is the kind of air conditioner to choose for your home. This is an important decision, and you need to be aware that different houses require different-sized air conditioners.
House Size
One of the many considerations that influences the size of air conditioner your house will require is its square footage. One square foot, for example, may require 20 British thermal units (BTUs) of air-conditioning power.
Floor Plan
the amount of power you will require can also differ greatly based on the home’s floor plan. Multistory houses, for example, will have different requirements than those with a single story due to changes in elevation. Homes with open floor plans may also have different BTU requirements than those without.
Climate
Another huge factor is the climate a house exists in. Homes in hotter and more humid climates will need air conditioners with more BTUs than those in milder climates. You need to consider the math for both heat and moisture when you’re calculating the size and power of an air conditioner for a house or other building.
Sunlight
The amount of sun a home receives is another part of this equation. The sunlight that shines on different homes may not be equal even if they are in the same climate zone. Natural shade from things like trees, mountains, or other buildings can make a huge difference here. Houses with windows that face to the south or west may also receive more sunlight than those with windows pointing in a different direction.
Insulation
Another factor to include in this calculation is the insulation installed in a home. A home with good insulation will be more energy efficient and able to better retain both heat and cool air. In that case, fewer BTUs may be required since the cool air put into that home will last a great deal longer. It’s the opposite for homes with poor insulation.
Lack of Air Gaps
Similarly, a home’s lack of air gaps can also determine how much air conditioning you need to keep that home cool. A home that is airtight will be far more energy efficient in regard to heating and air conditioning. Making an effort to patch such gaps and install doors and windows with few to no air gaps could make a big difference when choosing what kind of air conditioner to install.
If you live in or near Morgantown, NC and need air conditioner installation or replacement, give our company, Herron Heating & Cooling, LLC, a call. We have over 22 years of experience in the industry and can install the best air conditioner for your home’s particular needs.
