What Are BTUs and How Many Does My AC Need?
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BTU Meaning?
The term BTU stands for British Thermal Units, and it is a way to measure thermal energy. While the classification began in the later part of the 19th century, the unit of measure is still one of the most common measurements for HVAC appliances. Learn everything you need to know to understand BTU meaning and how it effects decisions in heating and cooling. Also included, is a convenient link to a BTU calculator.
The basic calculation for BTU is that 1 BTU will equal the energy needed to cool or heat a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. When specifically used for the energy measurement of an air conditioner, it will refer to the amount of heat that the system will remove from the air in one hour.
BTU ranges will depend on the size and type of air conditioner. With a central air conditioning unit, the compressor unit used to cool the whole house will typically have a tonnage amount instead of BTU for measuring its cooling. If you want to determine the BTU of a central air system, one air conditioner ton will be equal to 12,000 BTU.
How Do You Calculate BTUs For a Room? (#1)
When you calculate the number of BTUs you will need for a space, you will need to take into account the square footage of the room, which will need to include the ceiling height. You can then follow the EPA’s rule of thumb to determine the required BTU for the determined sq. ft. Once calculated, you may need to make minor adjustments for factors, such as sun exposure.
1: Calculating Your Sq. Ft.
The first step to determining the right air conditioner size for your room is calculating the square feet that the cool air will need to be delivered. You will need to start by multiplying the room’s length by the width. The BTU EPA rule of thumb calculations below account for a standard ceiling height of eight feet. If ceilings in the room are higher or lower, you may need to use a different air conditioner BTU calculator to calculate the adjustments.
2: Roughly Estimate the Amount of Energy You Need
Using the EPA recommended BTU per sq ft rule, you can estimate BTU requirements for your room. The rule states that for every square foot of living space, you will need 20 BTU for your cooling capacity. So a rough estimate for a 500 sq ft space would be a 10,000 BTU air conditioner.
3: Make Adjustments for Other Factors
While the above BTU calculation can give you a good starting point, you will likely have to figure in some other considerations, such as how much sun your room gets. Some of the adjustments that Energy Star and the EPA recommend include:
- Less 10% if the room is heavily shaded
- Plus 10% if there are kitchen appliances in the room
- Plus 4,000 BTUs if the room typically has more than two occupants at a time
Simple BTU Calculator (#2)
You can determine the needed BTU for your space more accurately by utilizing a simple BTU calculator that will consider other factors that could affect your BTU requirements. To get a final calculation, you will need first to determine the square foot of the room or space.
Length of room X Width of room X Height = Square Feet
Next, you will need to determine the temperature difference factor to determine BTUs you will need to achieve your desired comfort level.
Outdoor temperature - Desired indoor temperature = Difference (Temperature Difference Factor)
The final calculation you will need for the equation is your insulation factor.
- Fully-insulated is a factor of 2
- Well-insulated is a factor of 4
- Poorly insulated is a factor of 7
- Not insulated is a factor of 8.5
Once you have all of your factors in the equation, you can plug them into the BTU equation below to get your estimated room BTU.
Square feet X Temperature Difference Factor X Insulation Factor
For example, a 10x10x8 room that is well-insulated with an outdoor temperature of 80 and a desired indoor temperature of 70 would be 32,000 BTU.
800 X 10 X 4 = 32,000 BTU
Are Higher or Lower BTUs For a Room Better?
While it may seem like higher BTUs would mean greater cooling power, bigger is not always better. If you choose an air conditioner that is too large for the required space, there can be many drawbacks, such as:
- Higher costs: Buying an AC unit that is larger than you need will cost more than you would have to spend to get the same results. Installation costs may also be higher for larger units.
- Greater wear: Larger units will cycle more than smaller units, turning the compressor on and off more frequently than it should. This will lead to more significant wear and tear on your compressor, resulting in more maintenance and a shorter life span.
- Higher humidity: Humidity is one of the things you are trying to avoid with an air conditioner, and unfortunately, if your unit is too large, it can cause your home to be more humid. This is because the compressor, which helps remove the moisture, will shut off more often than designed to.
What is The Optimal BTU Per Square Foot?
According to the EPA and Energy Star, the ideal BTU rating per square foot is 20 for a home with typical insulation and areas with average sun exposure. That means a living room space of 300 to 500 square feet would be good with an air conditioning unit in the range of 6,000 to 10,000. If you have poor insulation or are cooling a room with appliances that generate a significant amount of heat, you will need to increase the BTU of your system to accommodate it.
Get the Perfect Amount of BTUs for Your Space With an AC Unit From Superior Home Supplies
At Superior Home Supplies, we know how vital the right-sized air conditioner is to the comfort of your home. Whether you are looking for an air conditioner unit for your bedroom or one for the whole house, we have what you are looking for and the brand names you can trust. Check out our inventory today to contact us to learn more about what we have to offer.
