Number 1 SECRET TO AIR CONDITIONER (AC) SHOPPING THIS SUMMER
WHEN BUYING AN AC, ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL
The #1 secret to air conditioner shopping is to match the AC to the rooms you want to cool this summer. If the AC is too small, it simply won't cool the space. If it's too large, it will cool the space so quickly that the thermostat will shut the unit down before it can lower the humidity level in the space. The result is a cool room that feels damp and clammy.
Air conditioners are "sized" by their cooling capacity expressed in British Thermal Unit (BTU) or Tons in USA per hour. "One ton" of cooling capacity, historically, referred to the cooling capacity of a ton of ice. You'll find the rating on packaging or in product literature; it typically ranges from ½ Ton Unit (6,000 BTU) to 2-Ton Units (24,000 BTU). Units below ½ Ton start at $250 to $300 average market price. Those in the 1 - to 2 Ton- units range cost from $450 to $600, while large units go up to $1,200.
According to The Association of Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), a simple rule of thumb to calculate the cooling capacity in an AC rated at 1 Ton unit should be enough to cool most rooms up to about 500 to 1,000 sq. ft. A 3,000 sq .ft. house may require a 5-ton unit. You can also count the supply outlets in the house: 10 outlets @ 100 cfm (estimated) = 1,000 cfm = 2.5 tons needed.
How do you get more precise than that? There are several different formulas. Most of the ones you'll see in stores simply compare the square footage of the room to ton-unit capacity. Mid-Atlantic Bryant Dealers offer a more complete formula that includes window area, sun exposure, insulation levels, how the room is used and other variables. Plus, the Operating Cost Calculator allows your Bryant dealer to enter information about fuel prices and geography, and determine how much you could save on your utility bills.
The Air Conditioning Contractor of America (ACCA) recommends that whichever way you determine the size you need, remember that for the 115V circuits typical of bedrooms and living rooms, you'll have to stay below a 1 Ton-unit; units above 1 Ton usually require a 230V circuit. And, if you want to cool a large, open L- or T-shaped space, you're better off with two smaller units rather than one large one. Two units prevent cold spots in front of the air conditioner and warm spots around the corner.
To help you with this lingo, contact Mid-Atlantic Bryant Dealers today. They deliver the highest quality in air conditioning products and services for consumers nationwide, which is why so many people have trusted their indoor cooling needs to Bryant .