When it comes time to have a new AC installation performed, one of the first tasks that needs to be done is a load calculation. Estimating a home’s cooling load allows for the right size of air conditioner replacement system to be installed. Ordering the right size of new air conditioning system is essential for energy efficient and effective home comfort. Our heating and cooling service team at Berkeley Heating & Air Conditioning explains how to estimate your home’s cooling load when a new AC installation is needed.
Calculating a Home’s Cooling Load
A home’s cooling load is a measure of how much an air conditioning unit needs to effect cooling in a room of a given size. It is measured in British Thermal Units, which is usually abbreviated to BTUs. Here are the steps in making this estimation for your home:
- Determine the dimensions of the room or home that needs cooling. For a room, you can do this with a measuring tape. For an entire house, it may be helpful to consult the blueprints or the local county auditor’s website for the home’s square footage.
- For a room, multiply its length by its width to get the square footage.
- Multiply the square footage by 20. This is the measure of the BTU cooling load of the space.
Selecting the Right Air Conditioning Unit for Your Needs
Now that you know how many BTUs are needed, it is time to select from the myriad possibilities for air conditioning systems. Our heating and cooling service technicians are happy to provide you with recommendations for units that we know to be reliable and energy efficient. Another way to research is to use consumer review publications and websites. When looking for a new air conditioning system, be sure to choose one with the highest SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating that fits into your budget. The higher the SEER rating, the less electricity the system will consume in cooling the space.
Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer
We are proud to serve as your factory authorized dealers for the Carrier Corporation. In order to achieve this honor, each one of our service team members has surpassed Carrier’s intense requirements for skill, knowledge and customer service on all types of HVAC related issues. We offer a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee on all maintenance, repairs and installations of Carrier products. Our company maintains a full supply line of Carrier factory authorized replacement parts and new heating and cooling products.
At Berkeley Heating & Air Conditioning, we have helped home and small business owners in the Hanahan, SC, community achieve and maintain indoor comfort for many years. By helping you estimate the necessary cooling capacity, you can be an informed consumer when a new air conditioner is needed. Give us a call any time for more information.
