You have decided to buy an air conditioner. Whether it is for an apartment, a beach house or for your workplace, how do you know the ideal size for the environment in which it will be installed? First of all, it is important to do your research to choose the most economical option for your pocket (both in product and electricity bill).
There are so many technologies involved in air conditioning that go beyond the air conditioner. There are even air conditioners that can work to reduce bacteria and fungi in the air, preventing proliferation and decreasing the risks of respiratory illnesses. In addition, inverter technology helps stabilize the device, maintaining the ideal temperature for much longer using less energy.
To help you with as much information as possible, we have prepared this post explaining everything you need to know before buying an air conditioner.
How do I know what size I need for an air conditioner?
The first thing you should do is define the environment in which you are going to install the air conditioner. You can get help in this regard from AC Install professionals near you. The choice will depend on the size of the room if it has doors and windows to separate one place from another if it has a lot of sunlight and also the number of people who will circulate through the place. From there, you can now understand how many BTUs your air conditioner should have.
What are BTU’s and how to calculate the BTU’s of the device?
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, a unit of power that defines the cooling power of the air conditioner. In other words, the more BTUs in the device, the more powerful it will be and the more cold air it will release into the environment.
To calculate exactly how many BTUs your air conditioner needs, have at hand:
- The size (in m²) of the environment where it will be installed.
- The number of people who are usually in the place on a typical day.
- If there is an incidence of light at any time of the day.
Generally, the number of BTUs indicated varies between 600 and 800 per square meter. If the room does not receive sunlight from any windows, consider about 600 BTUs. In the case of sunlight, initially calculate 800 BTU. Another detail is about the number of people in the environment, consider more than 600 BTU per person, occupying the place.
For example:
If you are looking for an air conditioner for a double room, there are two people in a space of 20m². Calculate (20 x 600) + 600 = 12,600.
That is, 12,600 is the approximate amount of BTUs your device needs to cool the room and maintain a comfortable temperature without wasting too much energy.
That’s it! With these tips in hand, you now know how to scale the ideal size air conditioner for your home. Now, choose the model you like best! Also, you can reach to AC service professionals to know the exact model that fits into your room or area perfectly.