The hot summers that we get can be unbearable. Good quality air conditioning is not just a requirement but a necessity to stay comfortable indoors.

When it comes to buying an AC, however, many homeowners are often confused about how to calculate the size and power of their new system. You don’t need to be confused anymore. We present this guide to provide help when it comes time to get a new air conditioner installed in your home.

Assess Your Current Needs

There are several factors that you should consider for your air conditioning needs. The first and most important is the size of your home.

A bigger home with more surface area would require a powerful air conditioner. Generally, you need 20 BTU (British Thermal Units) per square foot to provide adequate cooling for your home. So if you need to cool an area that is 500 sq. ft. in size, you will need an AC with a 10,000 BTU rating.

Another key factor to consider is the amount of insulation in your home. More insulation means your home will maintain its temperature after cooling a home that isn’t well insulated won’t be able to stay cool as long. The level of insulation in your home can impact how hard your next system will have to run.

Lastly, you should also take into account the running costs of the AC. The energy cost is calculated as follows:

Your AC’s Kwh rating x Kwh unit cost in your area = Cost to operate the AC for 1 hour

To calculate how much it will cost to run your air conditioner throughout the summer, estimate the number of hours you will run the AC for and multiply by the average kWh (kilowatt-hour) unit cost.

Explore Your Options

You have several options when it comes to choosing an air conditioner. The four main types of air conditioning systems that are available in the market include the following:

• Central Air Conditioner
• Ductless Mini-Split
• Heat Pumps

Each of these air conditioners is designed for a specific purpose and has different requirements.

Central air conditioners are large and connected through ductwork to spread cooling throughout your home.

Heat pump mini splits allow your air conditioner to save space by replacing the indoor unit with an air handler connected to your ductwork. It can also provide year-round comfort. The ductless mini split has a combination of an external compressor and condenser unit that is connected to multiple internal air handlers to provide cooling for specific rooms without ductwork.

Choose an Experienced Professional

The best way to make your AC installation experience easy is to use a professional service for the job. Trained professionals can complete the job quickly and without causing any damage to your property. They will ensure that the AC is installed correctly and performs well.

Professionals also come fully equipped with all the tools and equipment that they need for the job. Many AC manufacturers recommend using a professional for your AC installation, as using a non-certified person to install the AC could void your warranty.

We have an excellent track record for AC installation in Fort Collins, CO. Over the years, our services have been used by thousands of homeowners to do a thorough job.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning for your AC installation services this season.