Figuring Out the Right Number of AC Units for Your Home

Writer • Jul 05, 2021

If you live in a home or apartment without a central cooling system, you likely use window or ductless AC units to stay cool doing the summer. It’s sometimes difficult to determine the exact number of AC units you need, though. There are many factors to consider when trying to decide on the right number of AC units for your home. Some of these factors include the AC unit’s BTU rating and size. It’s also important to factor in your personal lifestyle. Read on to learn more about these factors and how they affect the number of AC units your home requires.

Amount of BTUs

BTUs, also known as British Thermal Units, measure thermal energy. An AC unit’s BTU rating describes how many of these units it can remove from an area per hour. AC units can differ greatly in terms of their BTU ratings. Some have BTU ratings as high as 36,000, while others can get as low as 5,000. While it might be tempting to purchase the AC unit with the highest BTU rating, this isn’t always the best idea. If an AC unit has a higher BTU rating than you really need, it may overwork itself.

To determine the optimal BTU rating for your home, it’s best to consult with an HVAC technician. Purchasing an AC unit with too low a BTU rating will likely result in a warm home.

Your lifestyle

Your personal lifestyle should be a major factor in the number of AC units you purchase for your home. If you spend most of your time in one room, it’s probably more cost-effective to only purchase an AC unit for that specific room. Those with multiple rooms might want to purchase an AC unit for each room to ensure they all stay cool. If you have multiple rooms that need to stay cool, however, it might be best to invest in central air conditioning if your home has the space for it.

Can I get one large AC unit?

Purchasing one large ductless AC unit to cool off an entire home will not only cost more initially, but it will likely raise your energy costs. That said, it’s usually best to get larger AC units for larger rooms.

Other things to think about

The size and openness of a room will determine how powerful an AC unit you need. If the room is larger and more crowded, you’ll need an AC unit with a higher BTU rating. Smaller, more open rooms could get by using an AC unit with a lower BTU rating. It’s also important to note that warmer rooms, like the kitchen, will likely require a more powerful AC unit.

Determining how many AC units your home needs might seem a bit daunting at first, but it’s much easier when you work with a professional. Let an HVAC expert in your area take a look at your home a determine which AC systems would work best.

Contact All Brands Heating & Cooling for help installing a new AC unit in your home.

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