Air Conditioning Ratings
When selecting an Air Conditioning unit, one of the best ways to determine which one is the best for you is understanding ratings and how they are calculated. Not only will ratings help you choose an Air Conditioner that is large enough, but it will prevent you from purchasing one that is too big. When you select an Air Conditioner that is greater the required capacity of your home, you run the risk of making your home feel warmer than it actually is. This is because once the air temperature of your home is cooled to the temperature you have set it to, the unit shuts off. Usually, this occurs before moisture has passed the condensing unit. This leaves humidity in the air, making your home feel sticky and warmer than it actually is.
Capacity Ratings
The most common rating applied to heating and cooling units is the British Thermal Unit (BTU). A BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water (0.45 kg) one degree Fahrenheit (0.56 degrees Celsius). A window Air Conditioning unit will generally be around 10,000 BTU’s. The wattage of an Air Conditioner is simply the amount of electricity needed to run it in watts.
The Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) of an Air Conditioner is calculated with the following equation:
EER = BTU’s / Wattage
Sound Ratings
The units used to measure the sound produced by Air Conditioners are bels (decibels). Bels are judged as a range from 0 (almost silent) to 13 (loudest possible). Most commercial Air Conditioners are in a range of 8 – 9 bles, with the quietest being about 6.8 bels. The difference between 8 and 9 bels might not seem like a lot, but realize that 9 bels is ten times as loud as 8 bels.
How can I find out more information?
When you Request a Central Air Conditioning Quote one of our recommended Air Conditioning specialists will give you an estimate on your Home Improvement project and will help review your options to make the best possible choice regarding your particular needs and budget.