As an expert in the field of air conditioning, I have been asked countless times about the ideal size of an air conditioner for a 1700 square foot house. However, the answer is not as simple as just giving a number. There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration in order to determine the right size air conditioner for your home. The first step in finding the perfect air conditioner for your home is to calculate the square footage of your house. Once you have this number, you can divide it by 500 and then multiply it by 12,000.
This will give you the basic BTUs (British thermal units) needed to cool your home. In this case, for a 1700 square foot house, you would need a 2.5 ton air conditioner unit. BTUs refer to the cooling capacity of an air conditioning unit in one hour, also known as tons. This compact unit typically includes electric heating coils or a natural gas furnace. Another method for sizing air conditioners is to determine the size of the unit that is currently installed in your home.
However, it is important to note that this may not always be the most accurate method, as the previous owner may have installed an incorrectly sized unit. One of the key factors that needs to be taken into consideration when determining the size of air conditioner needed is insulation. The less insulation there is and the more windows in the environment, the more likely you are to experience greater air and heat loss. As a general rule, an air conditioner needs about 20 BTU per square foot of living space to keep your home comfortably cool. It is also important to consider any areas in your home that may not have proper insulation, such as rooms that come together without a door. These areas will also need to be included in the calculation for the size of air conditioner needed. Not only is it important to choose the right size air conditioner for your home for comfort reasons, but it can also have a significant impact on your energy bill.
An air conditioner that is too large for your home will not only cost more to purchase, but it will also consume more energy, resulting in higher monthly bills. On the other hand, an air conditioner that is too small will not effectively cool your home and may end up costing you more in repairs and replacements. When it comes to measuring air conditioners, there are three main units of measurement: BTUs, BTUh, and tons. As mentioned earlier, BTUs refer to the cooling capacity of an air conditioning unit in one hour. BTUh stands for British thermal units per hour and is used to measure the amount of heat that an air conditioner can remove from a room in one hour.
A ton of air conditioner is equivalent to 12,000 BTU because that is the amount of heat it removes in one hour. In conclusion, when determining the size of air conditioner needed for a 1700 square foot house, it is important to consider factors such as insulation, number of windows, and any areas without proper insulation. It is also crucial to choose a unit that is not too large or too small for your home in order to avoid unnecessary expenses and ensure optimal cooling. As an expert, I always recommend consulting with a professional before making a decision on which air conditioner to purchase.