Air conditioners are complicated pieces of equipment, but in contemporary times they have come to be seen as indispensable household items. Without them it would be impossible to control the temperature and quality of indoor air in the summer, leaving families sweltering in the heat and worrying about what they might be breathing in as a result. Although a good unit is built to last and hiring experienced contractors to perform any repairs can often prolong the lifespan of an average unit significantly. Eventually, it will no longer be cost-effective to continue making repairs. When looking into purchasing replacement Air Conditioning Equipment in Bellingham WA, be sure to buy the right size unit.
Purchasing a unit that is the correct size for the room or house that is being cooled is essential to ensure both the efficiency and effectiveness of the air conditioner. If it is too big, it will hog electricity and create excess humidity, but if it’s too small it will not provide sufficient cooling and comfortable temperatures. Luckily it only takes a few minutes and some very basic math skills to determine the correct size.
The first step is to determine how many square feet the room or rooms in question measure. This can be done by dividing the area to be cooled into square and triangular sections and taking measurements of the length and width of each and using these numbers to calculate square footage. With one rectangular room, this is simple. Just measure each side of the room and multiply one by the other. With more complicated rooms use the same strategy to calculate the square sections, then multiply the width by half the length of the triangular sections. Add them together to get the total square footage.
Armed with these calculations consumers can buy an A/C unit that will provide adequate comfort. The cooling power of air conditioners is measured in BTUs, or British Thermal Units, per square foot. Up to 300 square feet of space can be cooled by a unit producing under 7,000 BTU. Much larger rooms require significantly more power. A 2,500 square foot room will require a unit capable of producing 34,000 BTU. The Department of Energy guidelines are not exact, but they’re certainly a helpful place to start! Visit for information about Air Conditioning Equipment in Bellingham WA, installation, and repair services.
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