What Size AC Unit Should You Buy?
This is the time of year to get ready for the hot summer days ahead. You may have already tried your old air conditioning unit and found it wasn’t working at its peak performance. Depending on the age and the cost of repairing an old air conditioning system, you may be thinking of an AC replacement.
Do you know what size AC unit should you buy for your home?
Many people think that the bigger the unit the cooler your home will be. But if you buy an air conditioner that is too large, thinking it will provide better cooling, you could be wrong. Over-sized equipment is less effective and wastes energy and money.
Air conditioners perform two jobs when they run. They remove both heat and humidity from the air. If the unit is too large, it will cool the room quickly, but only remove some of the humidity. This leaves the room with a damp, clammy feeling. A properly sized unit will remove humidity effectively as it cools.
When the air passes over the very cold evaporator coil, the temperature drops about 20 degrees. In Hamilton, Ontario, where we have high relative humidity levels, the evaporator coil doesn't just cool the air but also acts as a dehumidifier. This happens when the air hits the coil and the temperature of the coil is below the dew point of the air.
This causes water vapor to condense on the coil. With a cooling unit that is too large, water vapor condenses on the coil but you don't get enough condensation on it for the water to start dripping down into the pan below the coil. If this happens the water isn't drained to the outside. Then your home has a damp clammy feeling.
A unit that is too big can also be more expensive to buy and operate. An air conditioner that is too large will start and stop more often. This shortens the life span of the equipment. When a cooling system is oversized, it starts up and shuts down a lot more because it runs for only a short time to meet the thermostat set point. All those starts and stops mean you'll probably be repairing it more often and replacing it sooner.
Buying the correct size equipment for your home will not only save you money on the initial purchase but also save you money on energy costs and equipment repairs. When it comes to conditioning your home, Adam’s Air has the knowledge and resources to deliver comfort and safety in a home heating or air conditioning system. From small homes to large ones, we have become a trusted name in Hamilton, Ontario, and beyond!
Whether for repair, maintenance, installation, or replacement of your cooling system, choose Adam’s Air!
