Air Conditioner BTU Calculation Chart and GuideEspecially when choosing the correct BTU size for an air conditioner. Choose too small a unit, you could end up with a room that's not cool enough, or with an air conditioning unit that overheats. On the other hand, too large a unit for the space, will not remove the necessary moisture from the room, making it feel clammy and uncomfortable. The chart below is a great starting point. These BTU calculations are based on a standard room with 8 foot ceilings, 2 windows and one door. If the room has more windows, doors or higher ceilings, adjust the BTU's upward. Other factors in determining the BTU size would be the rooms usage. Kitchens, normally have more heat, and rooms with heat emitting devices, like computers and other electronics give off extra heat and would require a larger unit. Want a more accurate calculation? Use our BTU calculator to get a more accurate result. All calculations provided are estimates based on the information you provide.

This calculator is only designed to determine the needs for a single room, not an entire home or commercial business. ac unit hireIf you are trying to determine the size for a multi-zone mini split be sure to calculate each room indvidually then add them together.window ac unit angle Have a more complicated space or need help using this tool? top ranked ac unitsWe are here to help. Call us at 877-847-0050.With the dog days of summer just around the corner, the perfect time to shop for a new air conditioner is now. There are numerous factors to consider when you’re shopping for an air conditioner, including whether your home can accommodate a ductless mini-split system, a built-in wall assembly, a window unit, or a portable model. But all air conditioners have one thing in common: They must be sized properly in order to effectively lower the temperature and remove excess moisture from the air, resulting in a comfortable, cool indoor environment.

When you’re shopping for an appropriately sized air conditioner, a number of factors come into play, including the general climate and average summer temperatures in your region of the country; the square footage of the room or rooms to be cooled; the installation location in the wall, window, or ceiling; the number of people typically occupying a room; and the amount of insulation in the home. An air conditioner that is too small for a given area will not be able to cool the space efficiently, while an air conditioner that is too large will tend to cycle on and off too rapidly, wasting energy and impairing the unit’s ability to remove humidity from the room. Air conditioners are rated by their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), and their capacity is expressed in British thermal units (BTUs). The BTU rating gives an indication of how quickly and effectively a particular unit can cool the room where it is located. Most home air conditioners sold in the United States range from around 5,000 BTUs to more than 20,000 BTUs.

“Since we measure all of our heating and air-conditioning units in BTUs, it’s important to know how many BTUs your living space requires so you don’t buy a unit that is too large or too small. Another common measurement that heating and air-conditioning units are assigned is ‘tonnage.’ But don’t let this confuse you—one ton is just 12,000 BTUs!” Correctly sizing an air conditioner for a given room requires a tape measure and a few simple calculations. The first step is to determine the size of the room where the unit will be installed. offers a handy sizing calculator to determine the correct amount of BTUs needed for a given room or set of rooms. The calculator requires the dimensions of a room, in length and width; the type of room, such as kitchen or bedroom; the number of people typically in the room; and finally, the exposure of the room—whether it is very sunny or shaded. Once you plug in the appropriate information, the calculator will determine the correct size air conditioner in BTUs.

If you are cooling two adjacent areas, or if your room is odd-shaped, determine the square footage of each space as if it were a separate room, and then add the two measurements together to get a total amount of BTUs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, another rating that homeowners should consider when purchasing a new room air conditioner is the Energy Efficiency Rating, or EER, which represents the cooling capacity of a unit in BTUs per hour divided by the watts of power consumed at a specific outdoor temperature (usually 95 degrees Fahrenheit). The EER rating is found on the yellow Energy Guide label on the air conditioner, and it typically ranges from 8 to 11.5. An EER rating of 10 or higher is the most efficient and will yield the highest savings on monthly electric bills. A higher EER also helps the environment by reducing greenhouse emissions. offers a large selection of mini-split air conditioners and accessories from the top manufacturers in the industry, and features a variety of informative tools and instructional videos on its Web site.

Frigidaire 8,000 BTU 115V Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner with Temperature Sensing Remote Control Frigidaire FRA086HT1 8,000 BTU Through-the-Wall Room Air Conditioner (115 volts) Frigidaire's FRA086HT1 Energy Star 8,000 BTU 115V Through-the-Wall Room Air Conditioner is perfect for medium to large size rooms up to 350 square feet. This unit is designed for through-the-wall installation and is not designed for standard window installation. It will fit most existing wall sleeves and includes a standard universal interior trim kit. New wall sleeves are sold separately. The ready-select electronic controls allow you to easily select options with the touch of a button. The effortless temperature-sensing remote control allows you to see, set and maintain room temperature from across the room. An antimicrobial mesh filter cleans the air, removing harmful bacteria. Plus, quiet operation keeps you cool without keeping you awake. 20.5 x 24 x 14.5 inches 3.7 out of 5 stars

#862,245 in Home and Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home and Kitchen) #42 in Home & Kitchen > Heating, Cooling & Air Quality > Air Conditioners & Accessories > Air Conditioners > Wall This unit has an Energy Efficiency Ratio of 9.4 and is sure to provide you with savings, along with convenient, cool comfort. The low power operation and Energy Saver mode help to conserve energy and save you money. Frigidaire 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner Through-the-Wall Room Air Conditioner (115 volts) Frigidaire's 8,000 BTU 115-Volt Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner is perfect for medium to large size rooms up to 350 square feet. 8,000 BTU through-the-wall installation air conditioner (Not suitable for window installation) Standard, universal interior trim kit for existing wall sleeve included (New wall sleeve sold separately) Uses standard 115 volts electrical outlet Slide-out, antimicrobial filter with clean filter alert cleans the air removing harmful bacteria Three cooling speeds and three fan speeds for more cooling flexibility