Home DIY and Improvement

Which Cooling System is Best for My Home?

Cooling System

Contents

When the summer heat is bearing down, you will do everything possible to keep your home cool. Living in a hot, stuffy home where you can’t enjoy time with friends and family becomes unbearable. The best way to keep the heat at bay is by investing in an efficient cooling system for your home. But how do you know what type of heating system to invest in?

There are many options for cooling your home during the summer, but a central air conditioning system is the most reliable. If your unit has passed the point of air conditioner repair services, a brand new A/C is a great addition to any household in order to keep cool this summer without breaking the bank. AC installation is a breeze, and a reliable HVAC technician can come to your home to install it for you.

How big of an AC unit do you need?

This is a common question homeowners ask when preparing for the summer heat or going through a home remodeling checklist. The size of your AC will depend on your home’s square footage. On average, you will need 30 BTUs for every square foot. So, If your living space is 1,500 square feet, you will need an air conditioner of at least 45,000 BTUs.

For tonnage, most homes will need a three-ton air conditioner. This is the typical size for most homes, between 1,200 and 2,000 square feet. Larger homes will need a four- or five-ton air conditioner to cool the entire house. When in doubt, always consult a professional HVAC technician for their opinion on what size air conditioner you need for your home.

How an HVAC company assesses a home for cooling capacity

When you contact an HVAC company for help with AC installation, they will do a whole-house load calculation. This evaluation will make your home more energy efficient. This assessment takes into account:

  1. The size of your home. This is usually done in square footage. It’s important to accurately measure your home because this will help determine the size of the air conditioner you need. Usually, 30 BTUs are required for each square foot of living space. But there are other factors to keep in mind, such as the height of your ceilings.
  2. The number of windows and doors. The more windows and doors you have in your home, the more heat will be able to enter. This needs to be taken into account when sizing your air Conditioner
  3. The insulation levels. This is important because it will determine how much heat is trapped inside your home. Insulation works to keep the heat out in the summer and the cold in during the winter. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. When it comes to insulation, you have a few different choices. Fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam are the most common types.
  4. The number of people who live in the house. This is a factor because people generate heat. The more people there are in the place, the more heat is generated, which will demand a larger air conditioner.
  5. The climate. The climate you live in will also dictate the size of the air conditioner you need. You will require a larger air conditioner if you reside in a region with extremely hot summers to account for the extra heat. On the other hand, if you are living in an area with milder summers, you will need a smaller air conditioner.
  6. The direction your home is facing. Homes that face the sun will be warmer than those that don’t. This is because the sun will heat the house as it shines through the windows. Your home layout can also affect how warm it gets. If your home is long and thin, then the sun will only be able to heat part of it at a time. This means the temperature will fluctuate throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky. If your home is short and squat, then the sun will be able to heat the entire house at once, making it more difficult to cool down.

After considering all these factors, the HVAC company will be able to recommend the best type and size of air conditioner for your home. They will also be able to install it for you so that you can enjoy the cool air all summer long.

Other cooling methods

There are other methods of cooling your home, but they are not as effective or energy-efficient as an air conditioner. Let us have a look at some of these other methods:

1. Fans:

Fans are a good way to circulate the air in your home, but they will not lower the temperature. They are good to use in conjunction with an air conditioner because they can help distribute the cool air more evenly throughout your home. Usually, ceiling fans are effective because they move the air in a large area. But a floor or table fan will also do the job if you don’t have one.

2. Evaporative coolers:

Even though it sounds like an old-fashioned method, some people still use evaporative coolers to cool their homes. These work by adding moisture to the air and lowering the temperature. They are most effective in dry climates and don’t work well in humid areas.

They draw in fresh outdoor air and pass it through wet pads, which then evaporate the water and cool the air. This cooled air is then circulated throughout your home using a fan. Since evaporative coolers add moisture to the air, they can also help dry skin and static electricity.

The main downside to evaporative coolers is that they need to be frequently refilled with water and don’t work as well in humid climates.

3. Central air conditioners

They are common cooling systems in homes and they work by circulating cool air throughout your home using a system of ducts. The return and supply ducts are located in your home’s ceilings, floors, or walls. A central air conditioner is generally the most expensive option for cooling your home but is also the most effective.

A central air conditioner is probably the best option for you if you have a large home or live in a hot climate. They are also relatively easy to maintain and typically have a longer lifespan than other cooling systems.

4. Ductless (mini-split) air conditioners

They are similar to central air conditioners but don’t use ducts to circulate the air. Instead, they have small air conditioning units mounted on your home’s walls or ceilings. These units are connected to an outdoor compressor via a small refrigerant line.

A Ductless or mini-split AC is a good option if you want to avoid the expense of installing ductwork in your home. They are also relatively easy to install and maintain and offer good cooling power. However, they can be more expensive to operate than other types of cooling systems.

Conclusion

When it comes to cooling your home, the investment is worth it. In fact, on a hot humid day you might even think a central AC unit for a home is just as important as the plumbing on a new house! The best way to find out which cooling option is best for you is to consult with a professional AC company. They can help you determine the size, type, and efficiency of the air cooling system that best suits your needs.

Share this post

Similar Posts