Whether it is because your old air conditioner has stopped functioning or you simply want to upgrade to a newer model, air conditioner replacement is common and often necessary. The average lifespan of an air conditioner, with proper maintenance, is about 10 to 15 years. So you will need to consider a replacement at some point anyway.
But when you are shopping around for air conditioner replacement, what should you look at? This includes the energy ratings and power consumption, of course. Along with it, another important factor to look at is the BTU, which is the cooling capacity of the air conditioner.
But first, if you are getting a new HVAC system and need help with AC installation in St. Louis, trust no one but the best. Call Galmiche & Sons at 314-993-1110.
What Is BTU and Why Is Important When Considering Air Conditioner Replacement?
BTU is an abbreviation for British Thermal Unit. Technically, 1 BTU is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. In the case of an air conditioner, the BTU rating of the system tells you how powerful the unit is. It is used both in the case of heating and cooling systems.
For heating systems, BTU can be used as a measure of its capacity since it is the amount of heat the machine requires to increase the temperature of the space. But how does it apply to cooling systems?
In the case of air conditioners, instead of measuring how much heat is added to the space, the amount of heat removed from the space is measured. So similar to heaters, the higher the BTU rating of an air conditioner, the better is its cooling capacity.
So, when you are purchasing a new unit for air conditioner replacement, checking its BTU rating is essential.
When Considering AC Replacement, What BTU Rating Do You Need?
When you are choosing the best AC for your air conditioner replacement, it is important that you know what size and capacity you need. There are a lot of factors involved in choosing the right BTU rating for your new air conditioner.
These include:
- The size of the space the air conditioner needs to cool (the available square footage of your home, in this case)
- The height of the rooms and the floor plan
- The climate in your area
- How well insulated the house is
- How many windows your home has
These factors are important because they all contribute to the cooling efficiency in a space. The bigger and more sprawling the space, the more cooling power it will need in an air conditioner. Smaller, compact areas need less so. Similarly, homes in warmer climates need more cooling. Windows can let sunlight in, increasing the cooling requirement and so on.
When your cooling needs are higher, you will need an HVAC system with higher BTU ratings. But this also means higher energy consumption. So you do not just want to opt for the highest BTU rating available for your air conditioner replacement, but rather need to choose an optimum capacity.
Call the Best HVAC Contractors for Your Air Conditioner Replacement
If you are unsure what cooling capacity would be best for your air conditioner replacement, consult an HVAC company in St. Louis.
We, at Galmiche & Sons, offer the expertise and experience you need to make an informed decision about which HVAC unit to choose. For all your HVAC installation, maintenance, and repair needs, call our heating & air conditioning professionals right away.
