Place one house in San Antonio, Texas, and the other in Gaylord, Michigan. Take two versions of the exact same home. While the square footage and makeup of your home will give you great direction on sizing your HVAC unit, we can’t forget climate. By choosing an HVAC size based on square footage alone, you may purchase a unit that’s too small or large for your needs, and that can come with a hefty cost. fireplace, sunroom, etc.)Įach of these elements has the power to affect the temperature and comfort of your home. □Home features that modify internal temperatures (i.e. □Number and quality of exterior doors and windows □️Geographical climate and average temperatures □□□□Number of people living in home A Manual J inspection will consider: □️Ductwork quality We suggest having the inspection complete rather than simply replacing your old HVAC unit with the same size system. If your local HVAC expert performs the audit, ask if the service is included with your system replacement or installation. For most homeowners, you can expect to pay between $200 and $300. The cost of a Manual J depends on the size of your home. It’s also possible for a general contractor or energy consultant to complete the work. In some instances, the HVAC company will complete the audit. Who performs the Manual J calculation can vary depending on your region. Manual J calculationĪ Manual J calculation is like an energy audit of your home. One of the most accurate ways to measure the right size AC for your home is with a Manual J calculation. The larger your home, the higher BTU you’ll need to support your comfort. The chart below can guide your BTU choice: Home Square Footage Generally, you need 20 BTU for every square foot of space in your home. The BTU of your HVAC system should be based on the square footage of your home, insulation quality, climate zone, and ductwork. How many BTU per square foot?Ī BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is a rating that measures the energy your AC uses in one hour to remove heat from your indoor air. Refrigerant runs through both units during the cooling or heating cycle and the conditioned air is delivered through your home’s ductwork. These systems include an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that work together to create the desired temperature and indoor humidity level for your home. Split-system air conditioners are likely what you envision when you think of an HVAC unit. Packaged systems deliver cool air through the home’s ductwork. The outdoor cabinet is typically placed on a concrete slab outside the home. The primary components, like the evaporator, compressor, and condenser, are stored in one cabinet. Packaged AC systems are the all-in-one solutions for homeowners who need to conserve space or need flexible options for where the HVAC equipment can be installed. Single-zone and multi-zone systems are available and best serve homes where a different temperature is desired in specific spaces. Ductwork isn’t required with this system. The pipes are filled with refrigerant that absorbs and releases heat to maintain the desired temperature. (Looking for how to properly size a window AC?) Ductless air conditionersĭuctless air conditioners rely on a series of pipes to connect an outdoor unit to one or more indoor units to cool your home. ![]() There are a variety of cooling systems available, but we’ll cover the three primary styles below. Types of air conditioning systemsīefore sizing your air conditioner to your home’s needs, determine what type of system you want to install. To keep your family comfortable and avoid bank-breaking energy bills, we’re introducing the best way to answer, “What size AC unit do I need?”.
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