Air Conditioner Capacity & Efficiency

Most of the manufacturers rate the air conditioners in terms of BTUs and EER. These measurements indicate how much and how well the AC cools the area and how much power it will consume respectively.

British Thermal Unit (BTU)

The air conditioner capacity is measured in terms of Ton or BTU (British Thermal Unit). BTU refers to the amount of heat energy required to raise the temerature of 0.45 kg water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. 1 ton AC is equivalent to about 12,000 BTUs.

Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)

The energy efficiency ratio indicates the ratio of cooling capacity to the power consumption. Essentially the AC's BTU rating over the wattage it consumes. For example if a 12,000 BTU as consumes 1500 watt, its EER is 8.0 (12000/1500). Higher the EER, more energy efficient the AC is i.e. lesser power it consumes.

What's Right

The more capacity does not necessarily mean an inflated electricity bill if the energy efficiency ratio is good. And higher energy efficiency does not mean better cooling capacity. So how do we decide on the AC. There are many factors that you need to consider like -

• Room Size: A bigger room will obviously require an AC with higher capacity to cool it efficiently. When you go to an AC dealer make sure you have your room dimensions handy. You don't want to buy a big unit for a small room or vice-versa. Generally, a .75 to 1 ton AC is good enough for a standard room size.
• Average Room & Outside Temperature: The room temperature and the temperature outside are also important factors to choose the right AC. Similarly, what works in low humidity level may not be suited for highly humid climate.
• Number of People: The number of people the room will accomodate also determines how much cooling will be required. More people means higher cooling requirement.
• Exposure to Sunlight: This can impact the room temperature and therefore determines how much AC capacity will be required. Additionally, this information can help decide if the new solar type ACs can be used in the room or not.

These are just some of the factors the determine the required cooling capacity of the air conditioner. Always consult the manufacturer to find what will suite your needs best.

AC Related Links

• Air Conditioner Basics
• Top AC Brands
• Air Conditioner Prices
• Window AC vs. Split AC

By: Moderator1153 days ago