How much hvac tonnage do i need

You should not use average figures to determine the final size of your air conditioner and heating system, but rather, to get a rough idea of the scope. They will then calculate the BTU by dividing the space in square feet by and then multiplying its answer by 12, Thus, a 2, square foot area with two windows, four regular occupants, and one kitchen would have a BTU of 52, This would require 4.

This is close to the square feet per ton sizing of the HVAC industry in Chicago and Orlando, but you will notice the variance due to us adding a kitchen and windows. The industry standard is a benchmark, but not a firm rule. For example, buildings in hot climates will get hotter i. However, buildings in cold environments have a different issue, which is to retain heat, not remove it.

Moreover, as noted earlier, failing to calculate the right size of your HVAC units can cause major operational issues. These include costlier operating costs and, potentially, more frequent HVAC maintenance and repair work. Additional variables affecting your calculations include the type of HVAC system. Simply multiply the appropriate factor above by your home's total heated square footage to arrive at your approximate required heating capacity.

For example, if you live in the yellow zone, your home is well insulated, and you have heated square feet, the equation will look like this:. Then, to calculate the output on a gas furnace, multiply its efficiency rating by its listed input rating for the actual Btu output of heat. If you're still unsure which system size is right for you, please e-mail us or call our toll free number at An experienced design technician will be happy to assist you.

Variables such as your insulation, type and number of windows, number of stories, construction type, etc. A general rule of thumb is that if your home is well insulated with newer style windows, you can select the smaller size system that falls within your total square footage.

If your home is two story it will place less of a load on the system in the downstairs area as the second floor acts as additional insulation. The less insulated and more windows within the environment, the more likely you will experience greater air and heat loss. If you're still unsure which system size is right for you, or if you're having difficulty downloading the Air Conditioner Size Calculator, please e-mail us or call our toll free number at Restrictions apply.

Home Air Conditioning Sizing Calculator. The buildings will often have more windows, all of which add to the volume of air that needs to be processed per hour. This fact means that HVAC tons per square foot commercial are higher than residential needs. The most common assumption is that a square foot space produces 12, BTUs to be cooled.

This calculation should give you a reasonable estimate of the cooling load to the building and the size of the AC you need. Residential properties tend to require significantly less cooling power than commercial properties. Not only are there fewer people, but there are also fewer windows, fewer sources of heat, and fewer ways for cold air to escape the building.

A common rule of thumb is to assume that a standard HVAC unit can cool around square feet of residential space per ton of cooling capacity. When calculating the power you need to cool your home, you can assign 12,BTUs that need to be cooled per square feet of property. The team will be able to help you refine your calculations and make sure you get the perfect AC size for your needs.

All of these factors need to be considered and consolidated into what is known as the Manual J Load system. This is an important part of your deliberation with building design factors and materials influencing your selection of a suitable size unit. The means of transferring cooled air around your house should also be considered.

Choosing a ducted system is a great and efficient way to distribute cool air to all parts of your house, but if the ducting is poorly insulated or poorly installed, it can have a negative effect on your comfort level or introduce condensation problems. If on completing your estimation process and a unit is selected that is too small, the compressor and other major components will likely run for long periods with high power demand.

Considering the life of an air conditioner, these costs will grow into a large amount of money over the life of the unit. If your selection is too large, the room temperature becomes more difficult to control with frequent cycling of the compressor and other major components. A unit that causes the compressor or condenser fan motor to start and stop frequently, also incurs a high power demand, huge running costs and will probably not provide the constant temperature control required.

If this is the case, it would be more beneficial to install 2 smaller units enabling operation of different zones or as a backup if one unit needs to be off-line for any reason. Carefully selecting an air conditioner of the right tonnage will ensure a more continuous cooling temperature range rather than shutting down major components on achieving thermostat settings.