{"id":434,"date":"2020-06-22T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coolcareac.com\/blog\/?p=434"},"modified":"2025-09-07T09:24:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-07T14:24:18","slug":"ac-installation-yes-size-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coolcareac.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/ac-installation-yes-size-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"AC Installation: Yes, Size Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Summer is officially upon us, so, if you haven\u2019t already, now is the time to make sure that your air conditioner is fully equipped to handle the heat. Of course, for some homeowners, this may mean having to invest in a new air conditioner altogether. If this is the case, you’ll want to make sure your new cooling system is the right fit for your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We understand that your first instinct might be to buy the biggest, most powerful air conditioner on the market, particularly if you\u2019ve spent previous summers sweating bullets. But we are here to guide you in the right direction and let you know that bigger isn\u2019t always <\/em>better. When it comes to selecting the right system, what size central AC you need<\/a> is essential to ensuring both comfort and efficiency.  For a broader understanding of the process, it\u2019s helpful to know how to choose the best AC installer<\/a> to ensure a properly sized and professionally fitted unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on as we uncover what goes on with not only undersized\/underpowered air conditioners, but oversized\/overpowered cooling system as well. And give us a call when you\u2019re ready to install!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Undersized AC Systems Can\u2019t Keep Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you can probably guess, an undersized, or underpowered, air conditioner simply won\u2019t be able to keep up with your home\u2019s cooling demands. It will force the system to run longer and essentially work harder than it should to do its job, and as a result you can expect a rise in energy costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, an undersized system won\u2019t be able to keep your home as comfortable as you\u2019d like. During one of our hottest summer days, you can certainly see why this would be problematic! It\u2019s better to ensure that you install a properly sizes air conditioner right from the start\u2014professional AC installation<\/a> can make all the difference in getting it right the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oversized AC Units Waste Energy and Money<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a problem that homeowners are a little less familiar with. While you may think that an oversized unit is better <\/em>for keeping a home cool, it\u2019s actually really inefficient. This is because optimal air conditioning efficiency happens through continued operation and regular cycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When an air conditioner is too large for the home, desired temperatures will be reached too <\/em>quickly, before the system has the chance to complete a full cooling cycle. This is a problem known as short-cycling.<\/em> If your current system is struggling, consider whether it\u2019s time to replace your AC<\/a> to avoid unnecessary energy waste and wear and tear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short-cycling is not something you ever want to deal with. Not only is it very inefficient, but it also causes strain on your air conditioner, and causes a faster accumulation of wear and tear. The only way to \u201cfix\u201d this problem\u2014short-cycling due to an oversized system\u2014is to replace the system with an appropriately-sized one. For a deeper look at this issue, check out Cool Care\u2019s guide to AC short-cycling<\/a> and how it can affect your system\u2019s health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow Do I Find the Right Sized Air Conditioner?\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a great question! The answer is\u2014by calling an HVAC professional. We will do what\u2019s called a cooling load calculation, which is when we look at a number of factors. Yes, the square footage of your home is important, but we\u2019ll also look at how high your ceilings are, what type of insulation and building materials your home has, and even how many windows and doors are in the home. If you’re curious about other essential installations, preparing for professional installation<\/a> can help you understand what to expect during this important process, learn how a professional furnace installation happens<\/a> for optimal comfort all year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, we determine what the right size and fit will be for your space, and can guide you in your air conditioner purchase!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Question: Why does AC unit sizing really matter for installation?
Answer:<\/strong> Proper sizing ensures the AC completes full cooling cycles, avoids short-cycling, maintains humidity, operates efficiently, and helps extend the system\u2019s lifespan. Oversized or undersized units both lead to performance issues and higher costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question: What happens if an air conditioner is too large for my home?
Answer:<\/strong> An oversized unit cools too quickly and short-cycles, causing inefficient operation, increased wear, higher energy use, and poor humidity control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question: What about an AC unit that\u2019s too small?
Answer:<\/strong> A small unit struggles to maintain desired temperatures, runs excessively, wastes energy, increases bills, and often shortens its useful life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question: How do professionals determine the right AC size?
Answer:<\/strong> HVAC pros perform a cooling load or Manual J calculation, factoring in square footage, ceiling height, insulation, windows, climate, and more to select the correct BTU or ton capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Question: What are the benefits of getting the correct AC size?
Answer:<\/strong> The right-sized unit delivers consistent comfort, balanced humidity, lower energy bills, quieter operation, and reduced repair needs over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n