What size air conditioner do I need?

Choosing the right size can save you money and reduce your energy use

No matter how hot under the collar you get, buying an air conditioner should never be an impulse purchase. It’s an expensive, long-term commitment that has big implications for your power bill and comfort levels alike – so it’s important to do your homework before installing one. While it’s tempting to just opt for the biggest air conditioner you can get, bigger isn’t always better. So how can you find out the capacity you need? We’ll talk you through it.

The big four
While room size is an important consideration, every home is different and there are many other factors that will impact your air conditioning capacity requirements.
“Take some time to assess the room and figure out which size air conditioner you need,” says CHOICE’s air con expert Chris Barnes.
I saved hundreds on my last air conditioner purchase by calculating that a smaller capacity model would suit my home.

1. Room size:

What’s the length, width and ceiling height? While floor space is important, so is total volume – a room with high ceilings will require more energy to cool.

2. INSULATION:

Are the ceilings and walls insulated? What’s underneath and on top of the room? Ceiling insulation is one of the biggest factors in making your home thermally efficient.

3. Location:

Room in Durban will need a more powerful air conditioner for cooling, compared to an otherwise identical room in Pietermaritzburg.

4.orientation:

Which way does the room face? A large north- or west-facing window can let in a lot of heat in summer, whereas a shaded, southern-facing window will be cooler.

CHOICE tip

Ceiling insulation has the biggest impact on how big an air conditioning unit you’ll need. If you don’t have roof insulation, consider installing it – it’ll save you money in the long run, as you can get away with a smaller, cheaper air conditioner, as well as ongoing running costs.

Air conditioning capacity requirements per room size

Here’s our rough guide to the air conditioner capacity (size) you’ll need to cool a particular room size

Size matters

This is a ballpark guide, but we recommend that you do an accurate calculation so you don’t end up with a system that’s drastically over- or under-sized. Don’t be tempted to go smaller to save money, or larger to keep your house feeling like a fridge.
“Bigger isn’t always better, and smaller isn’t always more economical,” says CHOICE’s air con expert Chris Barnes. “Aim for the sweet spot.”

Here's what can happen if you super-size or skimp on your air con:

• Too big: the unit may run frequent short cycles to achieve the target temperature. This can mean:
• The room gets too hot or cold
• The unit doesn’t dehumidify the air enough (so the room feels less comfortable)
• Power use increases
• Running costs increase
• More wear and tear on the system
• Too small: the unit may have to run at maximum output more often. This can mean:
• The unit dries out the air too much
• More wear and tear on the system
• Power use increases

CHOICE tip

Choose a model with capacity that’s either just right, or slightly more than you’ll need for the room. For example, if the room needs a 6kW model, then go for a unit with a rated cooling capacity in the range of 6 to 6.5kW

Month: September 2020