If you are in the market for a new AC unit, it is easy to get caught up looking at things like SEER ratings and upfront costs. However, an often overlooked consideration is proper sizing, which could either save or cost you quite a bit of money.
Many people go wrong when it comes to air conditioner sizing. The easiest way to ensure you are getting the right AC unit is to contact the experts like those at Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis. We can do the load calculations necessary to help you choose the best size of AC unit for your home. Get in touch with our heating & air conditioning experts today to get started!
Indications of an Oversized AC Unit
Statistics claim that about eighty percent of homes run oversized air conditioners. However, the most unfortunate aspect of this is that most of the homeowners with oversized air conditioners at are not even aware of this fact. For this reason, below we are going to look at some of the most common signs that you have an oversized air conditioner:
- Inconsistent humidity at home – The prime purpose of air conditioners is to cool down the home as well as control humidity levels in the air. When you notice high or low humidity levels, even though the temperature ranges are okay, then you might have an oversized air conditioner. Big AC units tend to cool the air very quickly, but the time taken to cool the air is not sufficient to bring down the humidity to the desired levels.
- AC unit turns on and off many times – The air conditioner is supposed to turn on and off automatically as needed to maintain temperatures within a certain range. However, when the frequency of turning on and off is too high – a condition known as “short cycling” – this means the air conditioner is cooling the air too fast. This can cause excess strain on the AC unit, reducing lifespan and causing a number of other problems.
Negative Effects of an Oversized AC Unit
While you might think there is no harm in running an oversized air conditioner, in reality, there are a lot of drawbacks to this. Some of these effects include:
- High energy bills– Bigger air conditioners consume more power. While someone might argue that in this case, these AC units only run for a short time, the frequent starting and stopping significantly increases the amount power consumed.
- Wear and tear – Frequent starting and stopping of the air conditioner also has negative impacts on the lifespan of the unit. Due to all the extra wear and tear, the system ends up failing prematurely.
- High initial costs – Larger AC units cost more upfront than smaller units. You therefore can even save some money when buying the correct sized AC unit.
How to Select & Install a Proper-Sized AC Unit
The correct size of the air conditioner cannot be estimated – you need to contact a competent HVAC company such as Galmiche & Sons for proper load calculations and air conditioner sizing as well as subsequent purchase and installation of the right sized AC unit. In the greater St. Louis area, call us today at 314-993-1110 to speak to our heating & air conditioning professionals and to learn more.
