Finding the right air conditioner entails choosing its size, which requires a careful load calculation of your home. A reputable HVAC contractor uses a software tool called Manual J to arrive at the best size central A/C, heat pump or furnace for your home. The sizing process is one of the most critical steps involved in finding the right air conditioner.
A system that’s too small may not be able to keep your home comfortable during heat waves and will run continually, stressing parts more than necessary. One that’s too large will drive up energy costs and leave humidity behind, making your home feel less comfortable. Oversized systems run in short cycles, wasting energy and not doing an adequate job of humidity control. Frequent starts also contribute to more wear on the entire system, so installing too large a system can result in more frequent repairs and a shorter system lifetime.
The humidity during the summer can be overwhelming in the Twin Cities, and when the system runs in short bursts, the evaporator coil in the air conditioning system doesn’t have time to get cold enough to efficiently remove excess water vapor, leaving you feeling warmer. High humidity levels also foster mold growth and create an environment conducive to dust mites.
The factors that contribute to the correct size when finding the right air conditioner include:
- Size of the house and number of levels;
- Insulation levels;
- Types, location and size of windows;
- Air infiltration;
- Floorplan design;
- Heat-generating appliances and lighting types;
- Preferred indoor temperatures;
- Family size and ages; and
- Landscaping.
The contractor enters the detailed data about each room in your home to calculate the tonnage of the system you need. The next step is to calculate the size and configuration of the ductwork using Manual D. Finally, the technician will confirm the suitability of the system for this climate using Manual S.
To learn more about finding the right air conditioner for your home, please contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. Our experts can give you more insight into the selection process. We’ve provided trusted HVAC services for Twin Cities’ homeowners since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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