Here’s what we recommend:
- 1-foot minimum on all sides, including behind the unit.
- 1.5-foot minimum for the sides and an alcove or adjacent wall.
- 2 feet between the sides of the unit and dense shrubs or solid fences.
- 6 inches between the sides and leafy plants, with a few extra inches left for growth.
- 8 feet between the top and blockage, like a deck or roof overhang.
What size air conditioner do I need for my home?
We need to convert BTU to tonnage. 1 ton equals 12,000 BTU. That means that, on average, we will need 0.0016 tons per square foot. To properly get the tonnage of the AC you need, you can use the AC tonnage calculator per square foot here: For example, a standard 1,500 sq ft house would need a 2.5-ton air conditioner.
How much clearance do I need around my HVAC unit?
Make sure your HVAC unit has at least one foot of clearance around it, with two to three feet of space being better. This recommended spacing includes the distance between the HVAC unit and other structures like fences, buildings, shrubs, masonry, etc.
What size a/C do I need for my Space?
If the space has three windows, add 3,000 (1,000 Btu x 3). This space will need a commercial A/C size with 124,520 Btu of cooling. Remember, however, that air conditioners are rated in tons. To determine the size of system you’ll need, divide the amount of Btu you need by 12,000.
How many tons of AC do I need per square foot?
(Tonnage Per Square Foot) Simple answer: You need 0.0016 tons of AC per square foot. In short, if you’re looking to cool down a 600 sq ft area, you would need: AC Capacity = 600 sq ft * 0.0016 tons/sq ft = 1 Ton
How far should an AC unit be from a house?
In general, you want the line sets or the refrigerant lines to be less than 50 feet away from a house. Doing this will allow your air conditioning system to have the best performance.
How much space do you need around a heat pump?
Can you enclose a heat pump? You can hide a heat pump provided you maintain proper clearances around the unit for adequate airflow. External heat pump systems need an average of 18- to 24-inches (up to 2 feet) around their sides at all times.
How much space does a condenser need?
A rule of thumb is to maintain at least two-feet (24") between the A./C compressor/condenser unit and any nearby obstruction such as a building wall, shrub, or fence.
How far does condenser have to be from wall?
The condensing unit needs both overhead room and some space on the sides. On the day your ductless mini split system is installed, the technician should set up the condenser so it has 20 or more inches of overhead clearance. From the wall of your home to the condensing unit, there should be five inches if not more.
How close to a house does a heat pump need to be?
When installing a heat pump, you need a clearance of an average of 12 to 24 inches (one to two feet) in all directions, but you can place it as far away as 100 feet from the house.
Where should you not put a heat pump?
Outdoor Heat Pump Unit Keep it directly on the side of or behind the home, and don't place it too close to any shrubbery or vegetation (this can easily create airflow problems).
Where should an outside AC unit be installed?
In ideal situations the air conditioner should be installed on the north or east side of you home, so that your home can naturally shade your air conditioning unit from the sun during the hottest part of the day. The next-best option is under the shade of a tree, preferably one which drop little debris.
Where should an outdoor condensing unit not be located?
The condenser should always go outside of your home and not in an attic, basement, garage, or crawl space.
Should I put a roof over my AC unit?
Most AC outdoor units exhaust from the top and that structure would reduce the air flow and perhaps cause serious damage to the unit. Don't try something like this unless you have a good understanding of air conditioners.
Is it OK to put a fence around an air conditioner?
Solid wood or vinyl panels will restrict the cooling breezes that reach your machine, and your unit will have to work harder to keep you comfortable. When you install fencing, choose lattice-style or open-slat designs, and make sure the fence sits at least three feet away from your air conditioner.
Do you need a concrete pad for AC unit?
While you may not think about this as essential to your AC's performance, if you are considering installing a new air conditioning system, it is essential to make sure there is a strong, level, concrete slab in place before putting in the outdoor unit.
Can you enclose an air source heat pump?
An outdoor air source heat pump unit cannot be covered. Air source heat pump units rely on large volumes of air flowing them to extract enough heat energy and covering a heat pump can drastically reduce their efficiency.
How big a garden do you need for a heat pump?
Answer: A ground source heat pump needs more space than an air source heat pump. A typical horizontal system requires around 700 square metres. A vertical system needs enough space for the drilling rig to access the site, but boreholes are only around 20 centimetres wide.
Do you need a plant room for an air source heat pump?
The heat pump itself requires little space, it is compact and can be placed on the outside walls of your home, making it cheaper and easier to install than a ground source heat pump. During the summer, an air source heat pump can also allow for cooling of the house if necessary.
Do heat pumps need to be on an outside wall?
Heat pumps are easiest to install on an external wall. It is sometimes possible to install them on an internal wall (a wall dividing 2 rooms), although it is usually a more involved and costly process.
HVAC Calculator Square Footage
For heating and cooling purposes, figuring the square footage of a building is more than length x width. Heating and cooling load calculations consider the entire structure three-dimensionally.
HVAC Calculator Square Footage for Window Area
Glass throughout the home or building has a great impact on heating and cooling loads. Total area, or square footage, of glass such as windows and sliding patio doors is used in Manual J calculations. Your HVAC calculator square footage must also include these elements for accuracy.
How many BTU per square foot?
A BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is a rating that measures the energy your AC uses in one hour to remove heat from your indoor air. The BTU of your HVAC system should be based on the square footage of your home, insulation quality, climate zone, and ductwork.
What is HVAC.com?
At HVAC.com, our writers create solutions that put you in control of your HVAC system. Our product reviews and recommendations are researched and backed by real buyers and industry experts, not dictated by our partners.
What is split system air conditioner?
Split-system air conditioners are likely what you envision when you think of an HVAC unit . These systems include an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that work together to create the desired temperature and indoor humidity level for your home. Refrigerant runs through both units during the cooling or heating cycle and the conditioned air is delivered through your home’s ductwork.
What is a package AC system?
Packaged AC systems are the all-in-one solutions for homeowners who need to conserve space or need flexible options for where the HVAC equipment can be installed. The primary components, like the evaporator, compressor, and condenser, are stored in one cabinet. The outdoor cabinet is typically placed on a concrete slab outside the home. Packaged systems deliver cool air through the home’s ductwork.
Do square feet factor into HVAC?
A thorough evaluation of your house will help you understand how BTUs, climate, and, yes, square footage all factor into your air conditioning tonnage needs.
Does AC size matter?
When it comes to optimal AC performance, size does matter. A unit that’s too small for your home will cause the system to run constantly and leave you with an ever-rising energy bill. If the system is too big, the air will be cooled quicker than the system can dehumidify the space. You’ll be left with a humid, sticky environment.
Do you need ductwork for ductless air conditioner?
The pipes are filled with refrigerant that absorbs and releases heat to maintain the desired temperature. Ductwork isn’t required with this system. Single-zone and multi-zone systems are available and best serve homes where a different temperature is desired in specific spaces.
How much space does a Lennox air conditioner need?
For example, Lennox air conditioner installation instructions for the compressor/condenser unit typically require 48" of clear space above the unit.
How far apart should heat pumps be from each other?
If there are multiple air conditioner or heat pumps installed in the same area, and following the sense of the rule above, I'd keep the units at least 4 ft. apart from one another as well.
How far apart are the compressor and condenser units?
In our photo above, from a Minneapolis MN home, these two compressor/condenser units are just about three feet apart - a little close, and that right-most larger compressor/condenser unit is too close to building walls, a clothes dryer vent, and shrubbery.
Where are condenser units located?
Condenser units are designed to be located outdoors where snow on the unit won't hurt it .
How many feet should a delivery person have?
All of that is subjective, but giving the delivery person several feet (3+) ought to be enough in my opinion.
What is sufficient access and working space?
Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.
Why do heating equipment need working space?
Heating equipment such as boilers and furnaces need working space to permit proper inspection, maintenance and repairs. That requirement is separate from safety clearances such as fire-clearance space.
Why does my air conditioner overheat?
But it can quickly overheat if it can’t get enough surrounding air or flush out hot air.
How far between top and blockage?
8 feet between the top and blockage, like a deck or roof overhang.
Does a snowblower need open space?
It needs open space at all times, especially if it snows. Get rid of snow that gathers on the top and near the sides of the unit.
How Much Space Does My Furnace Need?
If you’re remodeling your basement or enclosing your furnace room, you should take a look at manufacturer directions and Kirbyville and the Branson area statutes for clearance rules.
How far away should a furnace heater be from the wall?
As a general recommendation, your heater should be 30 inches away from furnace room walls on all sides. This allows our service experts to comfortably replace it. You also need to check the space has enough airflow and ventilation, especially if you have an aging furnace with a metal flue.
Why is my furnace getting hot?
Your furnace can get too hot if it doesn’t have enough room. It also makes it hard for our technicians to perform furnace repair. Regular furnace maintenance is crucial to keep your equipment operating well. An annually serviced furnace may work more efficiently, which could lower your utility costs.
What happens if you don't have enough air in your furnace?
If there’s not enough air, dangerous gas fumes and toxic carbon monoxide could flow back into your home.
Can a furnace room be used as laundry?
Although furnace rooms double as laundry and storage space, you should keep yours free of things that could be fire hazards.
Do you need to consider airflow and ventilation as much if you have a newer furnace with PVC?
You don’t need to consider airflow and ventilation as much if you have a newer, high-efficiency furnace with PVC piping. Your system uses one pipe as an exhaust vent and the other to draw in air.
How to determine the size of air conditioner you need?
Remember, however, that air conditioners are rated in tons. To determine the size of system you’ll need, divide the amount of Btu you need by 12,000. For example: 100,025 to 125,000 Btu is 8 to 10 tons. 125,025 to 150,000 Btu is 10 to 12 tons. 150,025 to 175,000 Btu is 12 to 13 tons.
How to determine the correct size of commercial air conditioner?
By following industry-accepted procedures for cooling load calculation, a heating and cooling technician can accurately determine your optimal commercial A/C size. One such procedure is outlined in Manual N from the Air Conditioning Contractors of America ( ACCA ). This procedure factors in not just floor space and other basic data, but also window size and type, ventilation, the building’s physical orientation, and many other aspects of the building for precise sizing.
How much heat does a 1 ton air conditioner remove?
A 1-ton air conditioner can remove around 12,000 Btu, or British Thermal Units, of heat per hour. To know what size air conditioner your building requires, you’ll need to calculate the building’s cooling load in Btu.
What is the cooling load of a building?
The cooling load is the amount of heat the cooling system must remove from a building to maintain a comfortable temperature. Many factors affect a building’s cooling load, including the building’s design, its weatherization, and the amount of sunlight it receives.
Why is it important to size an air conditioner?
Your air conditioner must be precisely sized in order to reach its optimal energy efficiency and performance level. An undersized system won’t cool sufficiently and will work overtime in attempt to compensate, causing early wear.
How to cool a room with a high ceiling?
Step 1. Calculate the square footage of the space (building or group of rooms) you want to cool. Note that the following calculation assumes 8-foot ceilings and a space with higher ceilings will require a larger system. Step 2. Divide the space’s square footage by 500. Step.
How much space does a 1.5 ton AC unit cover?
Now you can answer this question. A 1.5 ton AC unit covers 900 square feetof living space.
How much does it cost to not size an AC unit?
Before buying an air conditioner, you have to make the AC tonnage calculation. Not sizing an AC unit properly can cause $100s in wasted unit costs or future electricity costs.
What is the biggest issue with oversized AC units?
Elevated relative humidity is the biggest issue with oversized systems (in my opinion). We have seen mold develop in homes solely due to oversized AC units.
What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?
Get the right-size air conditioner for your needs and make sure you’re comfortable – both physically and financially.
How to determine BTUs for air conditioner?
Determining Your BTUs. Air conditioners are sized by the number of BTUs they put out. BTUs stand for British Thermal Units and refer to the amount of energy your air conditioner is using per hour. To figure out what size air conditioner you require, you first need to determine the amount of BTUs you require.
How are air conditioners labeled?
Air conditioners are clearly labeled with the amount of BTUs they need. Consult the following chart to see where your square footage lands in relation to the amount of BTUs. Purchase the unit that best corresponds to the amount of square footage you have.
How to measure a room accurately?
Break up each room into as many squares and rectangles as you need to be able to measure the entire space accurately . This means separating out closets, bump outs, and hallways each as their own separate area.
Can you use a BTU calculator to estimate BTU?
This calculator should only be used to estimate your building’s BTU needs. You should get a professional BTU estimate done by your local HVAC company to get a better picture of what size unit you need.
