When considering a new air conditioning system, it can be overwhelming when you start to compare prices and sizes. While smaller AC units may look appealing because they’re less expensive than their larger counterparts, they can cost more due to maintenance and energy bills. A larger air conditioner may seem like the way to go because “bigger is better,” right? Not when it comes to your air conditioner.
Before your air conditioner installation, you’ll want to consult one of the experts at Lex Air Conditioning and Heating. Our Carrollton HVAC technicians will evaluate your home by looking at your home’s square footage and calculate the BTUs, British Thermal Units, necessary to cool a home of your size. They will also consider the number of people you have living in your home and the direct sunlight your home receives. Once evaluated, your Lex Air technician will recommend the appropriately sized air conditioner.
Is It Better to Oversize or Undersize AC?
While shopping for a new air conditioner, finding the right size unit is key. When your air conditioner is the right size, it will efficiently cool your home. A unit that is too large might cool your home quickly, but it won’t be able to run long enough to remove the excess moisture in the air, which can cause problems. When the unit is too large, it will turn on and off frequently, which causes extra wear and tear on the system.
When your unit is too small, it can’t cool your home and will constantly run to reach the desired temperature. This can also cause your unit to break down more and cause higher electric bills.
A unit that is too big or too small will create more headaches than it’s worth. Maybe you’re trying to save money with a smaller unit. Ultimately, you’ll spend more money going the smaller or larger route. Consulting with an experienced HVAC technician is important when shopping for new air conditioning equipment. The Lex Air technicians are here to help. If you’re considering a new air conditioner, call us today at 972-217-8955 to schedule a consultation.
What Happens if My AC Unit is Undersized?
When air conditioners aren’t big enough, they can struggle to keep up with the temperature you set on the thermostat. A unit that is too small doesn’t have enough cooling capacity to cool your home. An air conditioner that doesn’t shut off means higher electric bills and frequent maintenance issues.
Undersized Air Conditioner Problems
While smaller air conditioners may be less expensive than larger ones, they will cost you more in the long run. When your unit is too small, it runs constantly to try and cool your home effectively. Since it’s not large enough to do so, it won’t shut off, which causes extra wear and tear on the unit and higher energy bills.
Working Harder Than Necessary
Air conditioning units that are too small cannot efficiently cool your home by running a normal cooling cycle. An AC unit that is too small will have to work harder to try and cool your home. This can cause the air conditioner not to cycle properly or not to shut off at all. This causes excess wear and tear on the air conditioner unit, which could mean frequent repairs and a new AC unit sooner than normal.
Frequent Breakdowns
AC units cannot perform the normal cooling cycle when they are too small. These cycles usually last between 20 to 30 minutes. If you notice that your unit isn’t turning off or is turning off and on too frequently, this can cause significant problems for the system. Air conditioners must run regular cooling cycles to function properly; they’re not made to run constantly. When they cannot turn off, the extra wear and tear can cause you to need frequent repairs on your HVAC system. When your unit is too small, it can void the manufacturer’s warranty.
Higher Energy Costs
Air conditioners that are too small don’t have the proper cooling capacity to cool your home effectively, so they frequently run or don’t shut off. When your air conditioner isn’t shutting off, this can cause a massive increase in your energy bill. It’s important to note that bills usually go up in the summer months. Still, if you’re experiencing higher bills outside of peak summer months, you could have an air conditioner that is too small.
Struggle to Keep You Comfortable
When your air conditioner is too small, it constantly runs and rarely turns off. While this may sound like this will keep your home cool, it won’t because the smaller AC system is not large enough to cool it properly. It’s working overtime to try and reach the desired temperature set on the thermostat. Still, it’s just not capable of doing so. This can cause some areas of your home to be warmer than others. When your air conditioner is the right size for your home, all of your rooms should be cooled equally.
What Happens if My AC Unit is Oversized?
An air conditioner that is too large for your home might cool off your home faster, but that doesn’t mean that it does it well. Larger air conditioners can’t run a normal cooling cycle because they reach the desired temperature too quickly. This leads to humidity issues in your home, creating poor air quality due to mold growth.
Oversized Air Conditioner Problems
An oversized AC system can be just as bad for your home as having one that isn’t big enough. You may think a larger unit means your home cools quicker or could save you money on electric bills. Unfortunately, neither is true, and it can cost you more in the long run. Below are some problems you might experience when your air conditioning systems are too large.
Humid and Damp Home
When your air conditioner is too large, it can make the built-in dehumidifier essentially useless. For the dehumidifier to kick on, the AC unit must run for a while. When the air conditioning unit is too big, it cools your home quickly and doesn’t run long enough to remove the moisture in the air. Too much humidity in your home can lead to health problems since it creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. It can also damage wooden furniture and electronics. If you’re experiencing too much humidity in your home due to an oversized AC unit, you may have to invest in a dehumidifier.
Hot or Cold Spots
If your air conditioning system is too big, it cannot completely cool your home. This means that you’ll have hot or cold spots throughout your home. An AC system that is too large doesn’t run long, so the cool air can’t be equally distributed through your home. This causes some areas to be cool while others are warm. Inconsistent airflow leads to inconsistent temperatures.
Shorter Lifespan
An air conditioning unit that is too big will frequently turn off and on, otherwise known as short cycling. Since it doesn’t have to run long to cool your home, it will turn on and shut off quickly. As your unit continues to turn off and on, it causes wear and tear on your unit which will mean that you’ll need to replace it much sooner than normal. Unfortunately, installing a new air conditioning system is the only way to remedy this issue.
Other Common Mistakes To Avoid
Now that you’ve chosen the correct sized air conditioner, we’ve listed some other common AC unit mistakes to avoid so that you get the most out of your system.
- Skipping routine maintenance: Having an HVAC tech service your system twice a year can extend the unit’s life and improve its energy efficiency. At Lex Air, we offer a maintenance program to our customers called the Cool Club. Members of the Cool Club will receive a routine maintenance check in the spring and fall to ensure both their indoor unit and outdoor unit are working correctly. In addition to extending the life of your unit, these maintenance checks can catch an issue before it becomes a bigger problem.
- Not changing your air filters: Air filters must be checked and/or changed monthly to ensure your AC system can function correctly and promote a health air flow. A dirty air filter can cause air circulation problems and poor air quality.
- Placing appliances close to the thermostat: If you place a lamp or other heat-generating equipment near the thermostat, it can make your thermostat think that your home is warmer than it is. This causes your air conditioner unit to run longer than necessary.
- Closing or blocking your air vents: Closing air vents in unused rooms to save energy is a common myth. It does not save energy and can lead to performance issues with your system.
- Hiding your outdoor unit: Hiding your outdoor unit by planting flowers or trees around it blocks the airflow to the condenser unit and makes it harder for the AC system to cool your home.
Make Sure Your Air Conditioning Equipment is Perfectly Sized For Your Home – Call Lex Air Conditioning and Heating Today
Before purchasing a new air conditioner system, consult the experts at Lex Air. Our Carrollton air conditioning techs will help you choose the right AC system for your home. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all parts and labor so you can have peace of mind with your new AC unit. To schedule an air conditioner installation appointment, call us today at 972-217-8955.
