HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT AC UNIT FOR YOUR HOME
While shopping for an air conditioner, you may notice that each system is identified by its BTUs or British Thermal Units. A BTU is a unit of measure that determines how much energy per hour the air conditioner will consume in order to remove heat from a space. Why are BTUs important? If an air conditioner has too many or too few BTUs for your home’s square footage, you will most likely pay more per month to operate the unit, AND receive subpar cooling.
When it comes to air conditioning, many homeowners assume that bigger is better. However, an air conditioner that is too large – or has more BTUs than needed – will run more frequently at shorter intervals. This means that the system does not have enough time to effectively lower the temperature of the room, and you’ll be living in a hot indoor climate.
The opposite is just as true. When an air conditioner is too small, it will run for longer time periods, but is not built to handle a very large living space. In both situations, the system wastes energy and is subject to more wear and tear.
HOW TO MEASURE BTUs
As a general rule of thumb, an air conditioner uses 20 BTUs per square foot. To find out how many BTUs you will need for a single room, multiply the square footage of the room by 20. Or if you need to calculate the BTUs for your entire home, multiply the square footage of your house by 20. For example, if you need to cool a home with 1,400 total square feet, look for AC units with about 28,000 BTUs.
But that’s not all. Elements such as ceiling height and window size can affect cooling efficiency. So, when it’s time to upgrade your AC, call in the professionals! The team from Desert Diamond Air can help fit your home with a properly sized air conditioner, heat pump or ductless unit.
THREE ENERGY-SAVING TIPS
Try these three tips to decrease energy use in your home:
- Experts agree: Set your thermostat to 78 degrees while you are home.
- Use other major appliances less often, after the heat of the day, and preferably when your air conditioner is off.
- Lower blinds and shades on windows facing east and west.
Looking for more ways to save on energy? Desert Diamond Air offers comprehensive energy audits for homes in Phoenix, AZ and the surrounding area.
SCHEDULE AC MAINTENANCE TO ENSURE OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE
Your air conditioning system is critical for your home’s comfort and safety. To ensure that the unit is working at optimal efficiency, we recommend scheduling yearly maintenance with a professional HVAC company. Air conditioning coils can build up dust, refrigerant can leak… Desert Diamond Air knows what it takes to keep your cooling system running during those peak Arizona summers. Call (602) 362-4599 to schedule service today!
