Air Conditioner - Sizing Guidelines
It is critical that the capacity of a room air conditioner be the right size for the room being cooled. An improperly-sized air conditioner can result in a cold, clammy environment or an inadequately cooled room. The comfort level in a room is often more a factor of low humidity than low temperature.
Why Proper Sizing Matters
An oversized air conditioner (a larger BTU model than a room requires) results in the compressor running for short periods of time and being off for long periods of time. As cold air leaves the air conditioner in a small room, it is deflected off of the walls back to the air conditioner and prematurely cycles the appliance off. This results in cold spots and hot spots and very little loss of humidity.
An undersized air conditioner (a lower BTU model than a room requires) results in the compressor staying on most of the time and the appliance not adequately lowering the humidity level and temperature in the room.
Factors to Consider When Sizing an Air Conditioner
For sizing guidance, first visit our Air Conditioner Buying Guide web page.
For additional assistance matching your room size and shape to the air conditioner size, visit the Buying Guidance section on Energy Star's Air Conditioner page.
Heat/Cool models can be used as the sole source to cool a room but are not recommended to be the sole source of heat for a room in very cold climates. Since the heat is intended more for supplemental heating, size the air conditioner for its cooling capacity and not the heating capacity.
Additional Support
Check out our current room air conditioners to find the right one for your home.
Please feel free to contact us for help with each and every appliance need.