This is the time of year when, if homeowners are doubting their air conditioner’s ability to get them through summer, they start looking for a replacement. We want you to be able to rely on your next system, and for that reason, we want to make sure you’re matched with the right system for your specific home and needs.
Did you know that not only can an air conditioner be too small (or underpowered) for your home, it could actually be too big (overpowered) too? Size matters either way when it comes to your air conditioner, especially if you want an efficient and subsequently affordable air conditioner for your home. Read on to learn more about why proper sizing is so important.
When an Air Conditioner Is Too Underpowered
When an air conditioner doesn’t have enough power or is too small for your home, it simply can’t keep up with the cooling demands of the space. This forces the system to run longer and essentially work harder than it should have to in order to do its job. As a result, you’ll notice a rise in energy costs.
Additionally, an undersized system won’t be able to keep your home as comfortable as you’d like. During one of our hottest summer days, you can certainly see why this would be problematic. It’s better to ensure that you install a properly sized air conditioner right from the beginning.
When an Air Conditioner Is Overpowered
This is the sizing problem that homeowners are often a little less familiar with. While you might think, “bigger is better,” this just isn’t the case when it comes to an air conditioner. The thing is, optimal air conditioning efficiency occurs through continued operation and regular cycles.
When a cooling system is too big for the home, desired temperatures are reached too quickly, before the system even has the chance to complete a full cooling cycle. This problem is known as short-cycling.
Short-cycling isn’t a problem any homeowner wants to deal with. It can and will cause added strain on the air conditioner, exacerbating wear and tear and leading to a shorter lifespan for the system overall.
There are plenty of reasons an HVAC system can short-cycle, and some of those reasons are repairable. However, if short-cycling occurs the moment the air conditioner is installed, it typically is because it’s too big for the space and this is a pricey problem.
Finding the Right-Sized Air Conditioner
The best way to ensure you’re getting the right-sized air conditioner is by contacting HVAC professionals. Our technicians conduct what’s called a cooling load, which is when we look at various factors such as how big your living space is, the number of windows and doors it has, the level and quality of insulation, and even how high the ceilings are. All of these factors determine how much power your new air conditioner will need!
For professional AC installation service in Colorado Springs, CO, look no further than Brown’s Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!