When we’re out shopping for an air conditioning unit, we don’t usually decide based on the physical dimension of the appliance, but instead, its cooling capacity as measured in BTU (British Thermal Units). You will get the best efficiency, and thus lower operating costs, when you choose based on the size of the room the AC must cool.
With 4.6 million Australians using at least one AC, it is safe to assume that you can find a wide range of heating and cooling units in Melbourne with different features and at different price points. But, the first step to finding the right one for you is to calculate the size of the space where you will install the unit.
How to Calculate the Right AC Size
Calculate the area of the room to be cooled by multiplying its length and width. Multiply the total by 25 BTU and the product would be the minimum BTU air conditioner you should buy.
Here’s a sample calculation:
14 ft. wide x 16 ft. long = 224 sq. ft. (total area of the room to be cooled)
224 sq. ft. x 25 BTU = 5600 BTU (minimum cooling capacity required)
You can find a wide selection of air conditioners which cooling capacity ranges from 3850 to as much as 12000 BTU. Now, you may ask yourself how the size of air conditioners will affect their performance and how it will be reflected on your electric bills.
Here’s a thought: When you buy a smaller unit for your relatively large room, the AC will constantly operate just to try to keep up. This will hike up your electric bill and still, that will not guarantee to cool your room effectively.
Should You Buy a Bigger AC Instead?
Not quite.
Sure, an air conditioner too large will cool your room faster. But, if it doesn’t run long enough, it cannot extract the moisture from the air properly. An AC has to run for some time to remove moisture from the air and reduce humidity.
It can make the air cooler, but probably damp and sticky, too. This high humidity provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the risks of infection.
Who would have thought that the old saying, ‘too much of a good thing is never good’, applies to air conditioners, too?
Do yourself a favour and measure the space where you are planning to install your AC in. Your heating and cooling Melbourne service provider would be willing to help you in selecting the right air conditioner size for your home.
As a final tip to ensure the energy-efficiency of your unit, buy the one with star-rated energy ratings. Don’t fall for misleading energy computations—in case two units have the same cooling capacity, the one with a higher EER would have the lower power consumption.
Any energy-saving tips are welcome here. If you have anything to add to this article, feel free to comment below.
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