Cooling Capacity
more HVAC definitions
Cooling Capacity is the cooling power of a central air conditioner.
It is most commonly measured as the BTUs
per hour of heat that the air conditioner can remove from the air.
(You may also see cooling capacity rated in
tonnage.)
The only accurate way to determine the cooling capacity that you will need
in a residential or non-residential air conditioner is to have a heating and
cooling contractor perform a load calculation. This calculation will take
into account many factors about the building that you want to cool: its size,
number and direction of windows, amount of shade, amount of insulation, etc.
An air conditioner whose capacity is too small will not adequately cool
your residence or building. If the capacity is too large, it will
cycle on and off too often, decreasing efficiency and increasing your electric
bill. In addition, it will not maintain proper humidity levels, resulting
in a less comfortable environment.
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