Are Bigger Air Conditioners Better?

As HVAC technicians, we hear it all the time… “I just want a bigger air conditioner, this one isn’t  enough”… which may be true in some cases but not all. Chances are, if your air conditioner worked well at one point but did not perform properly anymore, the size of it is not the issue. Now if the air  conditioner is working properly and cannot keep a steady temperature throughout the day, then there may be an issue with the size. With air conditioning, bigger is not always better, and here is why.  

AC size is not always the issue

In general, a bigger air conditioner can cool a larger space more quickly than a smaller one. However, if the air conditioner is too large for the space, it may cycle on and off too frequently, which can lead to excessive wear and tear on the unit and higher energy bills. Oversized air conditioners will cause short  cycling and not allow the equipment to remove the proper amount of humidity. If the unit is short-cycling on and off, the temperature will go down, but the air conditioner will not have enough run time to properly remove all the moisture from the home. This will leave you feeling cold and damp, which is not comfortable.  

On the other hand, if the air conditioner is too small for the space, it may run continuously and struggle  to cool the area adequately. There is a chance the unit is too small if it constantly runs all the time, but there is also a chance that the equipment may be broken and not operating efficiently.  

It’s important to choose an air conditioner that is the appropriate size for the space you want to cool.  You can consult a local professional or use an online calculator to determine the right size for your  needs. Additionally, consider the air conditioner’s energy efficiency, as a more energy-efficient unit may be better than a larger, less efficient one. 

If you are having difficulty choosing the best air conditioner size or having issues with your old ac, Stay Cool got your back. We have qualified HVAC professionals in O’Fallon to help you with all your ac needs.

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