How To Properly Size A Portable AC Unit

Selecting the appropriate size for a portable AC unit is crucial to ensure optimal cooling efficiency in a given space. Every room varies in dimensions and other factors that influence the ideal size of a portable AC. We are here to assist you in determining the specific AC size you should acquire. Continue reading for more information!

In general, you will need 20 British Thermal Units (BTUs) per square foot of your room. To accurately determine the required AC size or BTUs, follow these steps:

1. Choose the rooms where you intend to use the portable AC.
2. Measure the dimensions of the room.
3. Calculate the necessary BTUs for the room.

Determining the appropriate size of a portable AC does not involve complex procedures. However, it is crucial to understand each step to ensure accurate sizing. Don’t worry, we have researched and prepared guides to assist you. Below, you will find the guides we have compiled.

Guide To Sizing A Portable AC Unit

Selecting the right size for your portable AC unit ensures efficient energy usage while it operates. Before purchasing your AC unit, take the time to read this simple and easy-to-follow guide:

Choose the rooms where you plan to use the portable AC.
Portable ACs offer the convenience of moving them to different rooms. However, this might initially cause confusion when it comes to sizing, as you need to measure the space where you intend to use it.

To resolve this, narrow down the rooms where you want to use the portable AC. Ensure that the size of these rooms does not significantly differ in terms of length and width. Measure the largest room among your selections for determining the unit’s size.

Avoid using measurements from the smallest room in your house or area. The measurements should be based on the largest room, as you can adjust the unit’s settings when using it in a smaller space.

Measure the dimensions of the room.
Using a tape measure, determine the length and width of your room.

Start by clearing the room of furniture, especially near the walls. Then, with someone’s assistance, secure one end of the tape measure against a wall on the floor.

Extend the tape measure along the wall until you reach the other end. Repeat this process for all the corners of the room.

Note down the length and width of the room on a piece of paper for multiplication. The result will provide the overall square footage of the room.

Calculate the required BTUs for the room.
After measuring the room, you can calculate the appropriate size for your portable AC unit. Multiply the total square footage of your space by 20 BTUs. The resulting value will indicate the correct size for your air conditioner.

Factors To Consider When Sizing A Portable AC Unit

The size of the room is not the sole consideration when determining the appropriate size for a portable AC unit. To assist you further, we have compiled a list of additional factors to consider:

Ceiling Height

Some houses have higher ceilings than the standard measurements. Therefore, when sizing your AC, take into account the ceiling height in addition to the room size.

Use a tape measure to check if your area’s ceiling exceeds eight feet. If it does, increase the BTU capacity of your portable AC by ten percent for each additional foot. If not, there is no need to upsize your AC.

Heat In The Room

Is the room generally warmer than other parts of your house? For example, kitchens typically emit more heat than other rooms. In such cases, you will need to increase the size of your portable AC to efficiently cool down the area.

Evaluate whether the intended location for your portable AC is too warm. If it is, adjust the BTU rating of your unit accordingly, typically by adding

4000 BTUs. Conversely, if the area tends to be colder, there is no need to upsize your unit.

Number Of Windows

Rooms with numerous or large windows can affect the room’s temperature. Therefore, it is essential to consider this when sizing your AC. Windows allow heat or cold to pass through, impacting the efficiency and performance of your unit.

For spaces where sunlight directly enters through the windows, it is advisable to increase the BTU capacity of your AC by at least ten percent. Conversely, for rooms with minimal or no windows, reduce the BTU capacity of your unit by ten percent.

Insulation

Each house and room varies in terms of insulation. The materials used and the presence of window coverings contribute to differences in insulation.

Well-insulated rooms are easier to cool, reducing the need to upsize your AC unit. In contrast, rooms with poor insulation require a higher BTU rating.

Number Of Occupants

Rooms or areas frequently occupied by two or more people require larger portable AC units. Each person emits heat, causing the room to become hotter than usual.

If multiple people typically use the room where you plan to install your AC, increase the unit size by 600 BTUs per person.

How To Verify The BTU Capacity Of A Portable AC Unit

Once you have determined the required size for your portable AC unit, it’s time to make the purchase. But how can you confirm the BTU capacity of an AC to ensure you buy the right size?

First, locate the unit’s label. The label contains a series of letters and digits. The initial section, typically composed of five characters, indicates the model of the AC.

After the first section, there will be a series of two to three digits representing the BTU capacity of the unit in thousandths.

For instance, if the label shows “048,” the BTU capacity is 48,000. With this information, you can verify if the BTU rating matches your requirements.

Consequences Of Incorrect AC Sizing

Choosing the correct AC size is crucial for efficient and effective cooling while minimizing energy waste. Purchasing the wrong size can lead to adverse effects.

Air conditioners that are too large for a room will cool the space quickly, but this is not necessarily advantageous. The unit will cycle on and off rapidly, preventing it from completing a full cycle. This can result in damage to the air conditioner, reducing its overall efficiency.

On the other hand, air conditioners that are too small for a space will struggle to cool it effectively, leading to longer running times. This can increase your electricity bill and cause unnecessary wear and tear on the unit.

Conclusion

Calculating the required size of a portable AC unit is relatively straightforward, but it does require some effort.

Sizing a portable AC does not refer to determining its weight but estimating the necessary BTUs. Higher BTU capacities also correspond to larger AC units.

To calculate the appropriate size for your portable AC, choose the largest room where you intend to use the unit, measure its square footage, and multiply it by 20 BTUs.

However, it’s important to consider other factors that may influence the BTU capacity you initially calculated, such as ceiling height, heat in the room, number of windows, insulation, and the number of occupants in the area.