If you have an air conditioning unit that’s getting up in years, or if you just want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient unit, there’s an important question to ask: What size unit do I need? No matter if it is central air conditioning or a heat pump, sizing matters.

Older homes may have had the same air conditioner for 15 or 20 years. When it was installed, it was by specifications that existed then, not now. Older units are commonly oversized. Heating and cooling technology, insulation practices and methods to make homes tighter have changed. The general method used to size air conditioners then was often an educated guess. Time, technology and equipment have changed.

Many homeowners have new units installed that are too big. The contractor can look at the old unit, go by those specs, and install more air conditioning than is needed. This can cost you more for both equipment and installation. That’s good for the contractor but not for the homeowner.

Improperly sized units operate poorly. They can cause the following problems:

  • They don’t run long enough to dehumidify the air properly.
  • Create large swings in temperature by cooling too fast and too suddenly.
  • They can cost more to operate since they are consuming more power than needed.
  • Its size can cause inefficient operation.
  • Incorrect operation can lead to early breakdowns.

Your home may have upgraded windows, better insulation, better sealing and caulking and various other improvements since the original air conditioning was installed. Also, the home’s orientation, number of occupants, window placement and overhang sizes should be taken into consideration. The bottom line is that a new air conditioner must be sized for the home.

At Around The Clock Air Conditioning and Heating, we size your unit to fit your home. We consider all aspects, formulate a custom-sized unit for your situation and show you proof that your unit is the correct type for your cooling space. If you’re ready to upgrade, contact us. We’ll give you the facts about air conditioners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Around the Clock Air Conditioning & Heating services Los Angeles, North Hollywood and the surrounding areas in California. To get started, check out our website or see our current specials.