It is essential to choose a size of AC that is ideally suited to the sizing of your home and its heating and cooling demands. If the unit is too small, it could end up overheating and breaking down more often as it struggles to keep up with the cooling needs of the Las Vegas climate.
If too big, the unit may frequently cycle on and off, which tends to consume more energy. In hot climates like Las Vegas, having too large an AC would mean repeatedly going through short cycles of quickly cooling the air in the home, causing the system to turn off, followed by a quick rise in temperature that prompts the AC to restart.
The compressor will also not run for a long enough period to properly dehumidify the air for your comfort. This may cause the AC excessive wear and tear, affecting your unit’s efficiency and driving up your utility bills.
Having the right size of AC in the home will help ensure optimal efficiency and effective cooling of your rooms. To determine the right size of AC unit for your home, a professional HVAC technician will consider several factors, including:
- the size of the home
- the number of occupants
- level of insulation
- heat retention and humidity
- age of the building
- the climate of the area
How Sizing is Calculated
AC units are classified in terms of tonnage. This does not refer to the weight of the AC unit but rather the amount of air the unit can cool. A standard one-ton AC can cool 12,000 BTUs. A BTU refers to a British Thermal Unit, the amount of energy needed to cool one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. So, a one-ton AC unit should be able to cool 12,000 pounds of water by one degree Fahrenheit per hour.
AC units will range from one to five tons in 0.5-ton increments. As said, you need an AC that is suited to the needs of your home, not just the biggest size available, even if you do live in the often-sweltering heat of Nevada.
A classic way to work out what size of AC is best suited to your home is to use the sizing of your home. Ascertain the square footage of your space. Multiply this figure by 25, divide by 12,000, and subtract 0.5. You can also use an online AC size calculator, which may require additional information like the number of house occupants and the insulation condition of the property. Las Vegas residences are typically expected to need about one unit of air conditioning system for every 400-600 square feet.
The HVAC industry also classifies regions by specified climate zones to determine their cooling and heating requirements. Nevada is considered to have a hot and dry climate in the 3B zone. States in this category will typically have desert landscapes with minimal rainfall and plenty of heat. This climate requires a heat pump type of AC with a reversing valve and a humidifier option. A heat pump will allow for both heating and cooling as you will still need heating during the cold winter.
Commercial properties require more complex calculations that factor in heat sources and foot traffic. The AC units for such properties are typically more expensive as the cooling needs tend to be more intense.
It is good to consult with a trained and licensed HVAC technician. You can use the methods above to estimate what size of unit you will need and budget accordingly. Still, when making the actual purchase, it is best only to do so after you have had a professional come in and make an evaluation. Furthermore, since you will need their services for installation, it makes sense to get their professional opinion on what size of AC unit will be best suited to the size of your home.
What About Efficiency Ratings
You may have heard of the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). This rating is typically assigned to appliances based on standards set by the US Department of Energy. The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient your AC unit will be. With every one unit of rating, an appliance is 10% more efficient. You may find older models of AC units that fall below 10, while newer models will often rate from 13 and above.
When selecting an AC unit for your home, focus on options that offer you the highest SEER rating. The design features of the unit will also matter. AC units with large coils are better at transferring outside air, cooling it, and feeding it into the home. You will also find that units with automatic delay fan switches leave the fan running for longer after the compressor has switched off to allow better circulation of cool air throughout the space.
