When it comes to purchasing central air conditioning for your home, there are numerous factors to consider, including the type, size and capacity, efficiency rating, environmental impact, and cost. At Ultimate Comfort Heating and Cooling, our experienced team is here to assist you in selecting the ideal central air conditioning system for your specific needs. However, having a basic understanding of air conditioning will enable you to make a more informed decision based on our recommendations. 

How do Central Air Conditioners Work?

It's essential to understand that air conditioners actually REMOVE heat and humidity from your home. Using three main mechanical components – a compressor, condenser coil, and evaporator coil – an air conditioner quickly converts a specialized chemical called refrigerant from a gas to a liquid and back to gas again to cool the air in your house. The cooled air is returned to the indoor space, and the unwanted heat and humidity are released outside. 

What is BTU?

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) explains that BTU, short for British Thermal Unit, is "a measure of the heat content of fuels or energy sources." One BTU measures the amount of heat needed to raise or lower the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Why is this important? Because BTUs allow us to "compare energy sources or fuels [i.e., electricity, natural gas, heating oil, etc.] on an equal basis."

Regarding air conditioners, BTU measures how much energy an air conditioner uses to remove the heat from your home. This information can be used to help you determine the best air conditioner for your home.

Why Should You Care About BTU?

The ultimate goal for homeowners is to install an energy-efficient air conditioner that can cool their homes comfortably while reducing utility costs. This is where the BTU rating comes into play. Choosing an HVAC system with the right BTUs is a crucial step toward achieving this goal and managing utility expenses. Here's how.

Installing an air conditioner with too many BTUs for the size of your home will cause it to run for shorter periods of time, thereby causing less-than-ideal temperatures and humidity within your home, more wear and tear on your HVAC system, and higher utility costs.

Installing a central air conditioner with too few BTUs for the size of your home may cause it to run continuously as it tries to reach a temperature it doesn't have the capacity to cool. It will never be able to cool your home sufficiently. Plus, it will cause more wear and tear on your HVAC system, and result in higher utility costs.

Understanding the role BTUs play can also help determine if an air conditioner that is not providing comfortable temperatures or creating high utility bills can be repaired or needs to be replaced with an air conditioner with the proper BTU rating.

How Does Our Experienced Team Determine the Right BTU for Your Home?

We look at several factors when determining how many BTUs are needed for your home. The most crucial factor is the square footage of your home. Still, we may also consider the number and types of windows and doors, the quality and amount of insulation, the ductwork, how much natural sun or shade your home receives, heat-generating appliances, and the number of people living there. 

Get a Free Comfort Analysis

Ultimate Comfort Heating & Cooling's FREE Comfort Analysis will help you understand and evaluate the best HVAC system for your home (including the correct BTU rating). The result: a more comfortable and efficient home and lower utility bills.

Call us at 610-750-8314 or connect with us online for a FREE Comfort Analysis. Estimates and consultations for new systems are provided FREE of charge.