Measure your rooms to determine if a window unit will provide enough cool air.
Split-system air-conditioning units are deemed "split" because the fan and condenser are outside the building, and the evaporative coil and other components reside inside the building. This is typical of a window unit. Smaller units, or mini-systems, usually sit outside small dwellings, such as condos or work sheds, and they typically cool a 300- to 800-square-foot area. You can size a small system by calculating the square footage of the rooms connected to the system and converting the calculation to tons. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure each room individually for length and width. Multiply the length times the width to determine the square footage of the room. Do not include areas closed off from the air-conditioning system, such as closets.
2. Convert the square footage to British thermal units. Most bedrooms run 100 to 150 square feet, and that converts to 5,000 BTUs. A 150- to 250-square foot room converts to 6,000 BTUs. Rooms running 250 to 350 square feet need 7,000 BTUs. Add 4,000 BTUs to kitchens and 1,000 BTUs to bathrooms because those rooms need additional cooling power.
3. Add each room's total BTUs together to calculate the total number of BTUs needed for the whole area.
4. Convert the total BTUs to tons, which is the measurement for all residential and commercial AC units regardless of size. One ton = 12,000 BTU per hour. So, 18,000 BTUs equals 1.5 tons, 24,000 BTUs equals 2 tons, 30,000 BTUs is 2.5 tons, 36,000 BTUs converts to 3 tons, 42,000 BTUs is 3.5 tons, 48,000 BTUs calls for a 4-ton unit, and 60,000 BTUs equals 5 tons. The ton size is the size of the air-conditioner unit needed to cool the area.
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