
Cooling Capacity refers to the amount of cooling that a central air conditioner (or a heat pump in cooling mode) can provide. It is most commonly measured as the number of BTUs
British thermal unit
The British thermal unit (BTU or Btu) is a traditional unit of work equal to about 1055 joules. It is the amount of work needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit (Physical analogue: one four-inch wooden kitchen match consumed completely generates approximately 1 BTU). In science, the joule, the SI unit of energy, has largely replaced the BTU.
Fahrenheit
The Fahrenheit scale is a temperature scale based on one proposed in 1724 by Dutch–German–Polish physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit. It uses the degree Fahrenheit as the unit. Several accounts of how he originally defined his scale exist. The lower defining point, 0 ℉, wa…
How do I calculate the cooling capacity of air conditioner?
- The number of dwellers residing inside the living spaces. ...
- Try to place the air conditioner condenser on the shadiest side of the house, which will usually be north or east of it. ...
- Size of air conditioning condenser. ...
- Ceiling fans can assist in lowering BTU usage by improving air circulation. ...
- The color of roofs can affect BTU usage. ...
How to calculate air conditioning capacity?
The following calculation spreadsheet is used to determine the capacity of room air conditioner:
- Size of Air Conditioning for Your Room
- AC Size in BTU/Hr
- AC size in Tone
- Heating and Cooling BTU
When to put coolant in air conditioning unit?
Freon is a refrigerant, or coolant, which helps your AC unit evaporate its internal heat and allows the air is expels to actually be cool. If you have sprung a Freon leak, you’ll have to seal the problem area, replace the leaking substance, and replenish the amount of refrigerant in the system.
How cold should the air be from your air conditioner?
It’s a technical piece of kit – a compressor pumps refrigerant gas to a condenser, which turns it into a cold liquid ... will need replacing. Your car’s service schedule or manual will tell you when you should have your air conditioning checked ...

What is cooling capacity in a AC mean?
Cooling capacity indicates the amount of heat the system can remove from the refrigerated space over time. It is equal to the change in the specific enthalpy of the refrigerant in the evaporator caused by the refrigeration load multiplied by the mass flow rate of the refrigerant.
What is good AC cooling capacity?
So, if you room is 100 sq. feet, the basic AC capacity required will be 0.167 tons (100 / 600). Now, you need to add 0.5 ton to the basic capacity for every five people in the room. Ordinarily, an AC of 0.8-ton capacity will work just fine for a 100 sq.
How do you calculate air conditioner cooling capacity?
To calculate the size, simply multiply the length times the width of the room or area to be cooled. Then, as a practical number, multiply that total times 25 BTU. This allows ample cooling, whether it is a rainy, moist day or a hot, sunny, humid day.
What is the cooling capacity of 1.5 ton AC?
A 1.5 ton AC can effectively and evenly cool a room of up to 150 sq. ft. What to Consider While Buying a 1.5 Ton AC? As mentioned before, a 1.5 ton AC is sufficient to cool a medium-sized room of up to 150 sq.
Is higher cooling capacity better?
The EER is the ratio of the cooling capacity (in British thermal units (Btu) per hour) to the power input (in watts). The higher the EER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner.
What is cooling capacity 50% in AC?
Rated Cooling Capacity (50% Load): BEE has asked manufacturers to provide power consumption at 50% capacity. This is not the minimum cooling capacity, but the 50% of the total capacity. In case of 1 ton AC it would be 0.5 ton. But this does not mean that it cannot go below 0.5 ton.
How do I know if my AC is 1.5 ton or 1 ton?
Simply divide the BTUs by 12,000 to calculate the tonnage of your unit. For example, if your air conditioner is 36,000 BTUs, you have a 3-ton unit....If you find one of those numbers, chances are good it's the unit's BTUs:018 = 18,000 BTUs = 1.5 tons.024 = 24,000 BTUs = 2 tons.030 = 30,000 BTUs = 2.5 tons.
What is the capacity of 1 ton AC?
12,000 BTUsA 1 ton AC can remove 12,000 BTUs of heat per hour whereas a 1.5 ton AC approximately removes 18,000 BTUs of heat per hour. In simpler terms, a 1 ton AC is perfect for a small room lesser than 180 sq ft but a 1.5 ton AC is ideal for medium or large sized rooms larger than 200 sq ft.
Which is better 3 star or 5 star AC?
The 5-star ACs are more energy-efficient than a 3-star AC unit. The electricity consumption of a 5-star AC (1.5 tons) is approximately 1.5 units per hour, whereas a 3-star AC (1.5 tons) consumes 1.6 units every hour.
Can a 1.5 ton AC cool two rooms?
1.5 Ton Window AC has to work more for 2 rooms. Cost part will be of 1 AC but time taken to cool the 2 rooms will be more. However O General is much efficient than other ACs . It will serve the purpose better than any other AC.
Should I buy 1 ton or 1.5 ton AC?
1 ton ACs can provide just the sufficient bit of cooling while not going too heavy with the electricity bill. While you compare 1 ton vs 1.5 ton AC, the rule of thumb is that if you have a room which is more than 200 square metres, you should be opting for an AC with a 1.5 ton capacity.
How many watts does a 1 ton AC use?
How many watts is a 1 ton AC? A 1 ton capacity AC typically uses about 1,200 watts of electricity. If you run your AC for eight hours a day, you’d consume 9,600 watts per day. The average electricity rate in the US is $0.12/kWh.
What happens if your AC unit is too big?
On the other hand, if your AC unit is too big, it will continually cycle on and off—leading to higher electric bills than necessary and decreased efficiency. An improperly sized unit will struggle to support adequate humidity levels, thus decreasing the overall comfort of an environment.
What causes cooling costs to spike?
Other factors that can cause cooling costs to spike: The size of the room, cooling needs. The temperature of the environment you are trying to cool. Desired thermostat temperature—lower temperatures generate higher costs.
What is BTU in water?
British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the necessary temperature to increase 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. ‘BTUs per hour’ signify how much heat per hour a unit can dissolve from the air. Cooling capacity can also be referenced via tonnage.
What is load calculation?
A load calculation, also referred to as a sizing for an AC or heat pump, will give you a number to focus on that represents your cooling capacity needs. Load calculation must be performed by a professional heating and cooling expert.
What is a 3 ton air conditioner?
This does not refer to the weight of the air conditioner, but to its cooling capacity. The term “ton” refers to the approximate amount of cooling power that a ton of ice would provide if it melted over a 24-hour period.
How is BTU measured?
It is most commonly measured as the number of BTUs per hour of heat that the unit can remove from the air. (A BTU or British Thermal Unit) is the amount of heat required to raise 1 pound of water by 1° Fahrenheit. You may also see cooling capacity rated in tonnage.
What are the three most common measures of air conditioning capacity?
Ton (tonnage), BTU per hour, and Watts are the three most common measures of air conditioning capacity. Since all the three measure the same aspect, there must be a way to compare and connect them. Let’s be very clear – tonnage has no connection whatsoever to the weight of the air conditioner.
What is the tonnage of an air conditioner?
The AC is essentially a heat pump that removes heat from your room. Tonnage refers to the rate at which an aircon can remove heat. Higher the tonnage, faster is the heat removal.
How many BTU per hour for kitchen?
Heat requires more air conditioning; if you’re sizing the air conditioner for a hall or any other area that has a working kitchen add 4000 BTU per hour to the required capacity.
Why is the capacity of an aircon higher than one for a bedroom?
If you are choosing an aircon for your home gym, its capacity requirement would be significantly higher than one for a bedroom because of the calories burnt during exercise.
Why are air conditioners needed in summer?
Summers bring the dread of heat. High temperature causes discomfort, sweating, and faster exhaustion. We’ve used fans to have the air flowing, but as the summer advances, air conditioners become necessary to provide a comfortable environment. Modern air conditioners provide fast and effective cooling. Recent advancement in technology has made ...
Why is it better to have a bigger aircon?
A larger aircon would also be able to compensate better for sources of heat like electrical appliances, gadgets, open doors, or windows. You’ll end up wasting a lot of electricity because you would not be aware of heat seeping inside the room. Check our guide here on how much it costs to service a aircon in 2019.
Do tropical areas need air conditioning?
If you live in a tropical area, the high temperature and humidity would require a higher capacity aircon as compared to a place which has relatively lower temperature and humidity. Here is a detailed list of the factors affecting cooling requirements. Room area (square feet is the commonly used measure)
What is cooling power in watts?
Note: Cooling power (in watts) is different from the power consumption of the air conditioner, which is also measured in watts. Minimal, Maximum, and Nominal Capacity. Non-inverter air conditioners cool at a fixed rate and would not have a minimum or maximum number.
What does tonnage mean in air conditioning?
Tonnage. The tonnage of an air conditioner is not related to its weight. Tonnage indicates the cooling capacity of the aircon. 1 A ton of air conditioning is the cooling effect provided by one short-ton (907 kg) of ice melting over 24 hours.
How does an air conditioner remove heat?
An air conditioner removes heat by raising the temperature of the condenser’s coil through gas compression and then venting off the heat to the atmosphere. However, there is an upper limit over which the aircon would not function properly due to the inadequate exchange of heat. The same goes for lower temperatures.
What does higher airflow mean?
Higher airflow means the cold air would spread faster. In addition to that, higher airflow means that a draft of air would be felt in the surroundings. The specification sheet would mention the airflow rates at different fan speeds. When the fan speed is reduced, airflow and noise level drop. 9.
What gases are used in refrigerant?
The most common gases used as refrigerants are R-22, R-32, and R-410A. These gases vary in their “Ozone Depletion Potential,” so manufacturers typically use greener gases in more expensive units. As far as you are concerned, you should just take note of which gas your unit needs.
Do air conditioners use a lot of power?
Air Conditioners consume a lot of power. It is essential to understand how much power the unit consumes. It is required not only for the calculation of energy bills but also for sizing the power equipment like wiring, sockets, switches, circuit breaker capacity, and stabilizer capacity.
What factors affect AC sizing?
More people generate more heat and might enter and exit the home more often. Additionally, appliances, electronics, and other heat-generating devices can influence AC sizing. Basements and attics can also play a role, as can stairwells and their locations.
What does "ton" mean in HVAC?
Air conditioning manufacturers use tons to communicate a unit’s cooling capacity. If you’re buying a new air conditioner for your Easton, Maryland, home, you’ll want to know its capacity and how that relates to your home’s comfort and efficiency.
What is a BTU?
However, the BTU is the modern expression of air conditioner capacity. The use of tons started long before modern air conditioning units existed.
Does cooling more space use more energy?
Obviously, we need to know your home’s size and number of levels. Cooling more space requires more energy. However, other criteria can impact energy usage. For instance, homes with many occupants might need a larger AC than one in which a single person resides.
Does an oversized AC unit reduce efficiency?
However, this doesn’t mean that bigger translates as better. In fact, an oversized AC unit can significantly reduce your energy efficiency because it cuts on and off several times a day rather than running for several minutes at a stretch. The increased wear and tear can also reduce its lifespan.
Is a 1 ton air conditioner better than a 4 ton air conditioner?
A 1-ton air conditioner can’t cool nearly as much space as a 4-ton air conditioner. However, this doesn’t mean that bigger translates as better.
How to keep a room cool?
Step one is simply figure out the room size in square feet of the room you would like to keep cool. Next, figure out the amount of heat or "heat load" that the room receives. For example, if the room has a lot of windows or is next to a kitchen, that room would probably have a high heat load. Based on those two parameters, you should be able ...
What is BTU range?
Based on those two parameters, you should be able to figure out what kind of BTU range works for you. For reference, BTU is simply a designation of cooling power – the higher the BTU the more powerful the cooling. Simply click on one of the four "BTU areas" and it will lead you to a page with portable air conditioner models ...
What is rated cooling capacity?
Rated cooling capacity is the resulted cooling capacity of an air conditioner tested in a fixed operating condition. The word “rated” used before a specification means that under a certain condition, the resulted specification is as stated. For instance, Daikin FTKF25AV1MF has a rated cooling capacity of 9,000 btu/hr under the following operating condition (AHRI standard): 1 Indoor: 27°C dry bulb, 19°C wet bulb 2 Outdoor: 35°C dry bulb
Why is the cooling capacity of an inverter air conditioner expressed with a minimum and a maximum?
The cooling capacity of inverter air conditioners is expressed with a minimum and a maximum because inverter air conditioners can change the speed of their compressor and thus, changing the cooling capacity. See more about inverter air conditioners (is it worth the price). 2.
What is the energy rating of an inverter air conditioner?
Most inverter air conditioners have 5-star energy rating while most non-inverter air conditioners have 2-star energy rating. 7. Airflow Rate: Air Volume over Time (cfm or cmh or m3/hr) Airflow rate is the amount of air volume circulated by an air conditioner within a specified duration.
What is the running current of an air conditioner?
The running current of an air conditioner is an important metric to technicians when determining the amount of refrigerant required for the air conditioner. Many technicians will charge the amount of refrigerant based on the running current. They’ll stop filling in refrigerant when the compressor reached the stated running current.
What is the power supply of an air conditioner?
Power source or power supply is the electrical characteristic required for the air conditioner to function. The wrong power supply will burn the air conditioner or otherwise, the air conditioner may not able to operate. The power supply is separated into three elements; voltage, phase and frequency or Herz.
What is power consumption?
Power consumption is the amount of power used by an air conditioner, expressed in Watt or Kilowatt. Although the unit of measurement for power consumption and cooling capacity is the same (kW), they are not the same thing by any means. So, try not to get confused.
What does COP stand for in air conditioning?
You may find some brochures that use COP instead of CSPF. COP stands for coefficient of performance and it is previously used to represents the energy efficiency of an air conditioner.

Let’s First Understand Air Conditioning Capacity
How Is AC Capacity Measured?
- Ton (tonnage), BTU per hour, and Wattsare the three most common measures of air conditioning capacity. Since all the three measure the same aspect, there must be a way to compare and connect them. Let’s be very clear – tonnage has no connection whatsoever to the weight of the air conditioner. 1 Ton of air conditioning = 12,000 BTU per hour = 3500 Watts of cooling (approx.) Y…
Factors Affecting AC Capacity Requirement
- Climactic conditions are the primary determiners of AC capacity. If you live in a tropical area, the high temperature and humidity would require a higher capacity aircon as compared to a place which has relatively lower temperature and humidity. Here is a detailed list of the factors affecting cooling requirements. 1. Room area (square feet is the commonly used measure) 2. Climate – …
Problems with Under-Sizing Or Over-Sizing
- A common thought that many buyers have is to buy an aircon with higher tonnage and avoid going through the hassle of calculating the required capacity properly. Buyers on a budget may prefer going for a smaller-capacity air conditioner. These are cases of oversizing and under-sizing. Undersizing An undersized air conditioner would struggle to maintain the room at the set temper…