A/C Sizing Guide

Choosing the right size air conditioner is a critical step in keeping any home comfortable during the warm-weather months. An A/C unit that's too small will run constantly and fail to cool your space efficiently. A unit that is too large, however, will "short-cycle," leading to uncomfortable humidity levels and system strain. In both cases, you lose efficiency, comfort, and money.

That's why we've put together this quick guide to A/C sizing—to provide the know-how you need to start your project right.

BTUs and Square Footage

The cooling capacity of an air conditioner is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). One BTU is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In the context of cooling, it represents how much heat the unit can remove from your home in an hour.

To find your initial sizing estimate, calculate the square footage of the space you need to cool (length multiplied by width) and consult the general chart below.

Please contact our Ferguson Home experts with any other questions.