Window Air Conditioner Size Estimator

Enter the length and width of your room to find the right sized window air conditioner to comfortably cool your space. Our figurer will recommend the number of BTUs needed to cool your room and will recommend an air conditioner that is the right size.

How to Calculate the Window AC Unit Size Y'all Need

At that place are many window air conditioner models and sizes available on the market to aid cool your home, only choosing one can be quite confusing if y'all don't know what size you need to absurd your space. Choosing the right sized air conditioner for your room is very important.

8,000 BTU window air conditioning unit

If the air conditioner is likewise small and then the unit volition run all day and volition not be able to comfortably absurd the room on warm days.

If the air conditioner is as well large then the unit will motility too much air, causing it to cycle on and off too frequently. This may cause discomfort due to frequent blasts of cool air so warm air. Frequent on/off cycles volition also shorten the lifespan of the unit of measurement

Factors to Consider When Sizing an Air Conditioner

There are many factors to consider when sizing a window air conditioner. The chief factor is the size of the room.

Room Size

The size of the room is the main cistron in choosing a window air conditioner size. A larger room will naturally require more free energy to cool than a smaller room.

Window AC Size Nautical chart

The chart below from the Energy Star shows how many BTUs are needed for a given room size.[1]

BTUs of cooling needed to status diverse size rooms.
Room Size (ft2) Capacity Needed (BTUs)
100 – 150 sq. ft. 5,000 BTUs
150 – 250 sq. ft. 6,000 BTUs
250 – 300 sq. ft. seven,000 BTUs
300 – 350 sq. ft. 8,000 BTUs
350 – 400 sq. ft. 9,000 BTUs
400 – 450 sq. ft. 10,000 BTUs
450 – 550 sq. ft. 12,000 BTUs
550 – 700 sq. ft. xiv,000 BTUs
700 – 1,000 sq. ft. 18,000 BTUs
1,000 – 1,200 sq. ft. 21,000 BTUs
i,200 – 1,400 sq. ft. 23,000 BTUs
one,400 – 1,500 sq. ft. 24,000 BTUs
i,500 – two,000 sq. ft. 30,000 BTUs
2,000 – 2,500 sq. ft. 34,00 BTUs

These air conditioner sizes assume a ceiling height of 8ft, if your ceiling is higher than 8ft consider increasing the size in BTUs by 10% to account for the added volume of the room.

Sunlight

If the room gets a lot of sunlight it will require additional free energy to comfortably absurd the room. Consider increasing the size of the air conditioner by 10% if the room gets a lot of sun.

Kitchens and Cooking Appliances

Kitchens require much more energy to absurd and crave a larger air conditioner. Appliances add together a lot of extra oestrus to a kitchen, making them tougher to cool. Consider the added heat of the oven or stove on a warm twenty-four hours.

When cooling a kitchen, consider adding an boosted 4,000 BTUs to the size of the air conditioner.

Number of People

Torso heat can warm a room significantly. The estimates above assume 2 occupants in the room. If your room has more than than two people on a consistent basis consider increasing the window air conditioner size past x% – twenty%.

Window Size

Window size can dictate how big of an air conditioner can be added to a room. If your room has windows that do not allow for the right sized air conditioner consider using 2 smaller units if your room has 2 windows, or consider an in-room air conditioner instead of a window unit.

Electric Power Available

Larger window air conditioners crave more than ability. Some units require special outlets, while others require more current to the outlet. Consider the amount and blazon of power bachelor to the window and choose an air conditioner that volition work with the existing wiring.

If you lot're unsure what your electrical requirements are, consider a consultation with an electrician.

Operating Cost

It'south important to also consider the operating cost of an air conditioner. Larger appliances swallow more electricity and thus volition price more than to operate. Use our electricity cost calculator to estimate how much it volition cost to run the apparatus.

If y'all're sizing a heating organisation, check out our heating system BTU calculator.

References

  1. Energy Star, Room Air Conditioner, https://www.energystar.gov/products/heating_cooling/air_conditioning_room