How to Choose an Air Conditioner Buying a room air conditioner: How big? One Size Doesn't Fit All Matching the air conditioner to the room you want to cool is your first consideration. If it's too small, it simply won't cool the space. If it's too large, it will cool the space so quickly that the thermostat will shut the unit down before it can lower the humidity level in the space. The result is a cool room that feels damp and clammy. Room air conditioners are "sized" according to their cooling capacity, expressed in Btu per hour. You'll find the rating on packaging or in product literature; it typically ranges from 5,000 to 25,000 Btu. Units below 12,000 Btu start at $250 to $300. Those in the 12,000- to 15,000-Btu range cost from $450 to $600, while large units go up to $1,200. Air conditioners rated at 15,000 Btu should be enough to cool most rooms up to about 875 sq. ft. How do you get more precise than that? There are several different formulas. Most of the ones you'll see in stores simply compare the square footage of the room to Btu capacity.

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), a Chicago-based industry trade group, offers a more complete formula that includes window area, sun exposure, insulation levels, how the room is used and other variables. How Much Do You Need? For a calculation of the cooling capacity your space requires, use our Air Conditioning Calculator. You can get a free copy of the formula from the AHAM fax-on-demand service or through the organization's site on the Web. Although the form looks daunting, it takes only a few minutes with a calculator and tape measure to figure out the square footage of the room and measure a few other variables. Whichever way you determine the size you need, remember that for the 115V circuits typical of bedrooms and living rooms, you'll have to stay below 15,000 Btu; units above 15,000 Btu usually require a 230V circuit. And if you want to cool a large, open L- or T-shaped space, you're better off with two smaller units rather than one large one.

"The goal is to keep the cold air from pooling on the floor," explains Hank Rutkowski, director of technical affairs for the Washington, D.C.-based Air Conditioning Contractors of America. "Two units prevent cold spots in front of the air conditioner and warm spots around the corner." Where to Find It Amana Home AppliancesAmana, IA 52204800-843-0304 The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers 20 N.Wacker Dr.Chicago, IL 60606312-984-5800 Box 4808Syracuse, NY 13221 Emerson415 Walbash Ave.Effingham, IL 62401800-332-6658 Fedders North America415 Walbash Ave.Effingham, IL 62401800-332-6658 Friedrich Air Conditioning Co.Box 1540San Antonio, TX 78295-1540800-541-6645 Whirlpool Corp.Consumer Assistance CenterBenton Harbor, MI 49022800-253-1301Calculating the Correct Size Air Conditioning Unit If you’re in the market for a new central ac unit, it’s important that you choose the right size for your living space. Not all central air units are created equal, and having the incorrect size could leave the indoor environment of your home very uncomfortable.

A unit that is too small for your home could leave your home feeling warm and muggy. If the unit is too large, your house will always feel too cold. At RA Heating & Air Conditioning, we can help you shop for the perfect unit for your home. Our contractors have the experience necessary to assess your indoor living space and recommend the correct size unit to comfortably cool your home.much does new hvac unit cost Air Conditioning Estimates – What to Expectcentral air conditioner repair diy Another important aspect of calculating the correct size is having properly sized ductwork. buying new central ac unitIf your home already has ductwork from a previous central air conditioning system, it’s a good idea to consider whether you were always happy with the flow of air from your current ductwork.

If you remember feeling too cold or hot in certain rooms, our professional HVAC technicians can assess your current ductwork and determine if it needs better insulation or if it needs to be redone. Too small ductwork can be noisy, and any improperly sized ductwork can decrease the efficiency in which your unit delivers air. Once you’ve chosen a unit, one of our contractors will install it for you. RA Heating & Air Conditioning services the Madison, WI. areas and can have your new unit up and running shortly. We offer competitive central air conditioner prices, and we encourage you to visit us to discuss how we can help you choose the correct central ac unit for the size of your home. Buy Products Online Now Click Here for Security Safes Thank you for a great service at Trout Springs Winery. Mark and Kyle were professional, courteous, and informative with their installation of the AeroSeal product. We had loss of duct air of about 450 cfm, which amounted to about a ton of heating, and they cut it down to about 9 cfm.

We were amazed to see the difference in air flow once the job was complete. Again, thank you for your great service! Connie- I wanted to quick share our experience with R. A. Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. because it was extraordinary. From the customer service, to the billing and then the follow-up, I am in awe that a company with your integrity still exists! We recently had comfort challenges with our very old (renovated) farm house. Mark, your technician came out and discussed Aeroseal with us and did a complete evaluation on our house and where we were losing heat and where we could save money! We couldn’t be happier with the results. Less propane used, less dust in the house, more comfortable in every room without cold and hot spots, and our house actually smells better- no more basement old farmhouse smell. Thank you R. A. for making our house a comfortable home! In today’s fast paced society that we live in, good service is often hard to find but R.A. Heating consistently delivers exceptional service!”