Is (a) Bigger (A/C) Better?

We all know the old saying about Texas, that everything is bigger in Texas and that bigger is better. But when it comes to your air conditioner size, is bigger better?

The simple answer: No

What happens if the AC system is too big?

If you have an air conditioning system that’s too large for your home, you’re losing money—not only in the initial transaction, but also in terms of utility costs. A too large system can waste money, energy and comfort, which is the exact opposite of what you want in your home.

Part of an air conditioner’s job is to also dehumidify the home as it cools—if the unit is too large, it’s not going to be able to remove the humidity from the home. This is because the system will turn on and off very quickly, which will bring the temperature down very fast, but will neglect the humidity that will build up. That limits your comfort level.

How do I ensure I get the proper AC size?

Your Air Specialist air conditioning technician will do a load calculation to consider your home and the size of air conditioner unit needed. The calculation takes the following into consideration:

• Size of each room
• Conditioner of the air ducts
• Home’s orientation towards the sun
• Shading around the home (trees, bushes, etc.)
• Window type
• Insulation
• Building materials
• Regional weather conditions

Once that information has been collected, our technician will calculate the recommended tonnage for your new HVAC system. We usually use the “Manual J” protocol established by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America.

And just because you’re just looking to replace your current HVAC system doesn’t mean the technician will use the same size—there could be many different factors now that will affect the measurement than the last time you purchased a new system (i.e., updates to windows or insulation, new roofing material, etc.).

Is my current AC system oversized?

So now you might be wondering if your current air conditioning system is too large for your Houston area home. Here are a couple of things you can do to check the size before calling Air Specialist:

• Keep track of how long it runs during a normal cycle – if it runs 10 minutes or less, it’s running in short cycles. This can drive up your electrical bill as well as the amount of wear and tear on the system.
• Use an inexpensive humidity meter and test the level of humidity in your home in several places – if it’s high, your system might be too large

Call the experts at Air Specialist today to find out if you have the right fit for your Houston area home.