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Many people simply purchase an air conditioner and let it rip. However, to make sure you buy the absolute best air conditioner for your home, it is essential to familiarize yourself with some HVAC jargon. Below, we will be explaining the question: what does BTU mean for an air conditioner, and how does it relate to your home cooling situation?
The term BTU stands for “British Thermal Unit.” and is defined as “the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.” But in the practical world of AC, where the unit calculates how much heat is removed instead of created, the BTU is more simply used to measure a unit’s power. So, when it boils (or cools) down to it: more BTUs, more power.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
And if you’ve already bought an air conditioner and need to see if it’s the right size, we have another article that explains how to find the BTU on an air conditioner.
The term BTU stands for “British Thermal Unit.” What this acronym represents is a measurement of energy. As such, it’s commonly used to measure the power of air conditioning units and is expressed in BTUs per hour. To better understand how much cooling power a unit has, it’s important to know this common unit of measure. No one knows where the term came from, but famed mathematician and physicist, James Prescott Joule, popularized it as a measurement.
Insider Tip
A great way to ensure you aren’t overspending on AC energy is to change or clean the unit’s air filter every 90 days.
Additionally, if you’re looking for more educational resources on air conditioners, check out some of our articles covering what do aircon symbols mean and what does P1 mean on an air conditioner?
The appropriate amount of BTUs depends on a variety of factors, such as a home’s square footage, ceiling height, direct sunlight, quality of insulation, and floor plan. Once you determine the size unit of BTUs needed for your home, you should also take into consideration the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and cooling process of any air conditioning systems you are considering. All that being said, it’s vital to know what the right size air conditioner is for your home because it will affect energy bills.
Remember that this applies to all types of air conditioners, whether a window, portable, or central unit. However, larger units can offer more energy output for less cooling costs. And for those looking for AC units to fit in small spaces, we also have an article covering what a casement air conditioner is.
Larger spaces require greater cooling capacity and power, which means more BTUs. like the best 15000 BTU air conditioner. There’s an EPA-recommended formula that says you should have 20 BTUs of cooling power for each square foot of living space. However, keep in mind that you will also need to adjust for the specific things stated in the above paragraph. And, if in doubt, you can contact an HVAC repair service to measure for you.
It’s also important to consider the utility costs, as well as having space comfortable enough for a large AC. If you’re still sizing an AC, remember to find one that fits the room size.
Warning
An AC unit won’t efficiently cool space if its BTU rating is too high for the square footage. It’ll also raise your energy bills.
Below are a few general BTU ratings for different-sized rooms:
STAT: If you have high ceilings, you’ll have to add another 10% to the total necessary BTUs. (source)
Be sure to read our page on the AC tonnage you need for your home so you won’t have to wonder what to do if an air conditioner’s tonnage is too small.
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