Does size really matter when it comes to installing a new air conditioner in your home? The short answer is yes. An incorrect size can meet major problems for your home and the system, which can lead to another AC replacement soon after the first.
The good news is, our team can help with all of your air conditioning needs, including choosing the right size for your new AC installation in West Linn. Keep reading to learn more about how an air conditioner is sized and why AC size matters.
AC Sizing Considerations
First, let’s talk about the factors that go into choosing a size for your air conditioner. Keep in mind that you don’t have to completely understand how all of these factors go into sizing. That’s what our team is here for. It’s just good to understand why you might need one size air conditioner over another.
The first factor is the climate zone. In areas of the country where it is hotter, you need a stronger air conditioner to cool your home. In cooler areas where temperatures do not get as extreme in the summer, you don’t need quite as much power. Each zone of the country has its own rating that helps us determine what size air conditioner to install.
We also want to consider the size of your home. A smaller house can have a smaller air conditioner. But, a larger house needs a larger air conditioner. And we don’t just look at the overall square footage. If your home has higher ceilings, we also take that into consideration when helping you choose an air conditioner size.
Why Size Matters
If your air conditioner is too small, it will never be able to keep up with cooling your home. Your air conditioner will end up running around the clock and never reaching your desired temperature. This can result in higher energy bills and a shorter lifespan because your air conditioner is taking on much more wear and tear.
Many homeowners think that having a larger air conditioner is better, because it won’t have to work as hard to cool your home. But that is not the way it works because cooling cycles are more complex than many people think. Cooling cycles can be much too short if an air conditioner is too large compared to the space that it is trying to cool.
Shorter cooling cycles can mean that your air conditioner does not complete all of the steps that actually need to happen during a cooling cycle. Sure, your AC blows cold air into your home, but it doesn’t have time to completely remove all of the heat and humidity from the system. That heat and humidity then gets trapped inside and released back into your home, making your home feel warmer as a result.
Checking Ductwork
Another factor in considering an air conditioner size is your ductwork. If we are installing an air conditioner replacement, we want to check the layout of your ductwork. If your previous air conditioner was sized incorrectly, there’s a chance that there may be problems with the ductwork, too. Even with the perfect-sized air conditioner, it cannot work effectively if the ductwork is not also set up for optimal cooling.
Contact Chase Heating and Cooling today to schedule an appointment with our professionals. We’re “Keeping Homes Comfortable In All Seasons.”