Are you struggling to choose the right air conditioner for your home? Look no further!
This ultimate guide will help you:
- Understand why size matters
- Explore different types of AC units
- Learn how to accurately determine the size you need
With this guide you’ll understand an air conditioner’s cooling capacity and make an informed decision to keep your home cool and comfortable.
If you’re looking for air conditioning for your home or business in Sussex or Surrey, speak to our expert team today. We have over 20 years of experience installing air conditioning units for a range of homes and businesses.
Why size matters
Air conditioners come in a range of sizes and choosing the right size is crucial for ensuring optimal cooling efficiency in your space. The size of your air conditioning unit directly affects its performance and energy consumption.
If you install a unit that’s too small for your space, it will struggle to cool your home adequately, resulting in discomfort and longer cooling times. On the other hand, an oversized unit may cool your home quickly, but it will cycle on and off frequently, wasting energy and causing temperature fluctuations.
To determine the appropriate air conditioning unit size for your home, you can use an air conditioning size calculator to determine the BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating or consult with a professional. They’ll consider factors such as the room size, insulation, and local climate to determine what size air conditioning unit you need.
Types of air conditioners
Wondering what air conditioner do I need? When it comes to choosing the right air conditioner for your home, it’s important to know the different types available before making a final decision.
Split systems
If you’re looking for a versatile and efficient cooling solution, consider split systems. These types of air conditioners are a popular choice among homeowners and businesses due to their compact design and ability to cool individual rooms or specific areas.
Wall-mounted split systems consist of two main components: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit is mounted on the wall inside the room, while the outdoor unit is installed outside the building. This setup allows for quieter operation and better energy efficiency.
Additionally, wall-mounted split systems offer a range of features such as adjustable temperature settings, remote control operation, and programmable timers.
Multi split systems
Multi-split air conditioning systems allow you to connect several indoor units to a single outdoor condenser unit. The multi-split system is versatile, letting you customise cooling for different rooms without requiring multiple outdoor units. With a multi-split, you’ll typically have up to 5 indoor fan coil units connected to 1 outdoor condenser.
Multi-split systems work well if you’ve got an open floor plan or rooms with slightly different cooling needs. For instance, you may want it cooler in the kitchen but just edge taken off in your living room. Since each indoor unit has its own thermostat and controls, multi-splits make it easy to customise each zone. You won’t waste energy trying to heavily cool rooms that just need a light chill.
Heat pump VRV/VRF
Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) and variable refrigerant volume (VRV) are types of heat pump systems that offer flexible climate control options. They allow 1 outdoor unit to connect to multiple indoor fan coil units. However, VRV/VRF systems can’t provide heating and cooling simultaneously to different zones. They either cool or heat the entire building in the same mode. However, they excel at providing customised amounts of heating or cooling to match each room’s set temperature.
VRV/VRF systems work by varying the refrigerant flow to each indoor unit separately. So even if the system overall is in heating mode, an unused room can get less refrigerant to gently warm while a high-traffic room gets more to maintain warmer temperatures. This ability to precisely vary capacity makes VRF/VRV a great option for homes with more rooms that require air conditioning, as well as office buildings, hotels, or schools and colleges needing to customise conditions room-by-room.
Heat recovery VRV/VRF
Heat recovery variable refrigerant flow (VRF) and variable refrigerant volume (VRV) systems provide all the custom zoning flexibility of standard VRF/VRV heat pumps. But they add the ability to simultaneously heat and cool different parts of a building. So while one indoor unit runs in cooling mode, other rooms can choose heating mode instead of just following the system-wide setting.
Heat recovery happens by redirecting excess heat from cooling zones over to rooms calling for heat. The system recycles thermal energy rather than wastefully dumping it outdoors like a traditional unit would thus being very efficient systems when used in the correct layout.
Additional factors
Consider the specific layout, room and design of your space, as well as any unique factors that may affect the cooling requirements.
The layout and design of your building can greatly impact the efficiency of your air conditioner. For example, buildings with an open floor plan may require a larger unit to cool the entire space effectively. On the other hand, spaces with multiple levels or separate rooms may benefit from zoned cooling systems that allow you to control the temperature in different areas.
Windows and insulation play a significant role in determining the size and efficiency of the air conditioning unit you’ll need. Poorly insulated buildings or buildings with older, single-pane windows can lose a substantial amount of cool air, forcing the air conditioner to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. This inefficiency can lead to higher energy bills and may also shorten the lifespan of your unit.
On the other hand, well-insulated buildings with double or triple-pane windows that have a good thermal rating can retain cool air much more effectively. This means you may be able to opt for a smaller, more energy-efficient unit. Especially in the UK, where weather can vary significantly, ensuring that your home has effective insulation and high-quality windows can make a considerable difference in both the size and the operating cost of your air conditioning system.
Additionally, you should take into account any unique factors that may affect the cooling requirements, such as the presence of heat-generating appliances or a high ceilings. Appliances like ovens, dryers, and refrigerators can increase the heat load in your space, requiring a larger air conditioner to maintain a comfortable temperature. Similarly, buildings with high ceilings may require a more powerful unit to cool the space effectively.
Get in touch for expert air conditioning installation in Sussex and Surrey
Choosing the right size air conditioner for your building is crucial for optimal cooling and energy efficiency. If you’d like expert help with your air conditioning solution or think your current air conditioner needs maintenance, speak to our team of professionals today. We offer high-quality air conditioning installations across Sussex and Surrey for commercial and residential premises.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install an air conditioner without considering the size of my room?
You can’t install an air conditioner without considering the size of your room. Proper sizing ensures efficient cooling and prevents overworking or underperforming the unit. It’s crucial to choose the right size for optimal comfort.
What are some common mistakes people make when choosing the size of their air conditioner?
When choosing the size of your air conditioner, common mistakes include overlooking the square footage of your room, not considering insulation levels, and disregarding the climate conditions in your area.
Will an oversized air conditioner cool my room faster?
No, an oversized air conditioner will not cool your room faster. In fact, it can lead to poor humidity control and inefficient cooling. It’s important to choose the right size unit for optimal comfort and energy efficiency.
Can I use the same size air conditioner for all rooms in my house?
You can’t use the same size air conditioner for all rooms in your house. Each room has different cooling needs, so it’s important to properly size your AC unit for each individual space.