Summer is almost here! If you haven’t done so already, now is the perfect time to ensure that your air conditioning system is fully ready to handle the higher temperatures. Of course, for some homeowners this might mean that it’s time to invest in a new air conditioning system altogether. If this is the case for you, then you’ll want to make sure that your new cooling system is the right fit for your home.
We get it, your first instinct is probably to buy the biggest, most powerful air conditioning system you can find on the market, especially if you have spent previous summers sweating bullets because your air conditioner just wasn’t working as it should. However, we really encourage you to carefully consider your air conditioner purchase. Bigger isn’t always better! Size and power do matter of course, but perhaps not in the way you’d think.
Keep reading as we dive into what different sizing means for your air conditioner, and why you don’t want an underpowered or overpowered air conditioner in your home.
The Problem with an Underpowered Air Conditioner
When we talk about an underpowered air conditioner, we’re talking about one that is undersized. And you can probably guess why an undersized/underpowered air conditioner could be a problem, and struggle to keep up with your home’s cooling demands. It forces your system to run longer and basically work harder than it should have to in order to do its job, and as a result, you’ll see a rise in your energy costs.
Additionally, an underpowered air conditioning system won’t be able to keep your household as comfortable as you would like. During one of our hottest summer days, you can probably see why this would be a problem! It’s best to ensure that you have a properly sized air conditioner right from the beginning.
The Problem with an Overpowered Air Conditioner
This is a problem that homeowners are often a little less familiar with. We understand why you might think that an oversized air conditioner is better for keeping a home cool, but on the contrary, it’s actually very inefficient. This is because optimal air conditioning efficiency occurs through continued operation and regular cycles.
When an air conditioning system is oversized, or overpowered, for the home it’s installed in, the desired temperature on your thermostat will be met too quickly, before your system has the opportunity to complete a regular cooling cycle. This is an issue known as short-cycling, and it’s really inefficient for your air conditioner.
It causes strain on the cooling system, and allows wear and tear to accumulate faster. The only way to “fix” this problem—the short-cycling due to the system being too big—is to replace the system with one that is appropriately sized for the space it’s in.
How to Ensure Your Air Conditioner Is Sized Correctly
No, we don’t want you to pull out a measuring tape. We do want you to give our team a call though. We conduct what’s called a cooling load calculation, looking at factors like how many windows and doors your home has, if there are high ceilings, what sort of insulation you have, and more. From there we can determine the BTU’s (British Thermal Units) you need, and recommend a correctly sized air conditioner for you!
Contact Wall Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. today for quality Loganville, GA HVAC service!