Having an oversized air conditioner comes with a long list of problems: high energy bills, a humid home, and poor air quality, to name a few. But having a unit that takes up too much space and energy is not the only faux pas when it comes to installing an AC. You also need to look out for the signs your AC unit is too small for your house, which can cause just as many problems as an oversized unit.
Keep reading as we share some of the top signs that your AC unit is too small for your house. If you do notice any of the signs shared below, make sure you get in touch with our team as soon as possible to resolve the issues and keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the year.
6 Signs Your AC Unit Is Too Small for Your House
1. Your AC Isn’t Cooling Your Home
Is your AC not cooling your home? Few things are more exasperating than coming home on a sweltering hot summer day, only to find out that it’s just as stifling inside.
Normally, an air conditioner works by absorbing the warm air from your home, taking away its moisture, and condensing it. After this process is completed, the AC will emit cool air from your air vents. But not all air conditioners are created equal. In order to have a system that will efficiently do this, you’ll need an AC with a specific amount of BTUs.
What are BTUs, you ask? It’s an acronym that stands for British Thermal Unit, and they refer to the amount of heat the unit can eliminate from the air. For each ton of heat that has to be removed from a home, an AC unit needs to have 12,000 BTUs. The bigger your home, the more heat it has. When there is more heat, you need an AC with a higher BTU.
In order to know how many BTUs you need and check for the signs your AC unit is too small for your house, take into account the following factors:
- Square footage of your home
- Ceiling height
- Construction materials
- Insulation in your home
- Amount of sunlight that comes in through doors and windows
- Number of people living in your home
If your AC has already been installed, you can check the BTU capacity on the label. This label is located on the condenser unit (the big box that sits outside your home). Right at the very top, the label should list the model number (M/N), which includes a long string of characters separated by hyphens. The BTU capacity is the three digit number after the first dash.
If you don’t have an air conditioner with the right BTU, your home will never be cool enough. This is one of the top signs your AC unit is too small for your house, but our team will be happy to clarify any questions you have about this issue.
2. Inconsistent Room Temperatures in Your Home
If you notice that some rooms are comfortable but other rooms are hotter than the rest of the house, then this is one of the top signs your AC unit is too small for your house. Unless the room that’s hot is your kitchen with two ovens on Thanksgiving Day, this is not normal. An air conditioner system that’s the appropriate size will cool all of your rooms evenly.
3. Your Air Conditioner Doesn’t Turn Off
Air conditioners go through cycles: they absorb the hot air from your home, take out the moisture, and through several processes and with the help of coolant (refrigerant), you end up with pleasantly cool air coming out of your vents. Once your home reaches the temperature you set on the thermostat, your AC will automatically shut off and only restart when the temperature starts rising again.
A regular cycle should last between 20 and 30 minutes. If this is not the case in your home, then it’s likely one of the signs your AC unit is too small for your house, and you may need to upgrade to a unit that’s big enough for your home’s square footage.
4. Your Energy Bill Is Too High
It goes without saying that if you have an air conditioner that never shuts off, you’re going to have higher than average energy bills. If you don’t have a basis for comparison because you’ve always had a small AC, ask friends and neighbors who have homes of a comparable size to yours. Usually, the highest fluctuations happen during the summer, so pay close attention to your utility bills during this time of the year. By discovering the signs that your AC unit is too small for your house, you will not only make your home a more pleasant place to be, but you’ll also save on your bills in the future.
5. High Humidity Levels Inside Your Home
As previously mentioned, air conditioners absorb heat and humidity from your home. If your unit is too small for the square footage, it won’t absorb all of it. This means you’ll be sitting in a room that feels just as hot as outside, completely undoing all of the good work of paying to run an AC unit.
6. Low Airflow in Your Home
There are many reasons for low airflow in your home, but one of the most common ones is that your AC unit is too small for your house. On the other hand, you may find this is just occurring due to a dirty air filter, but if you clean or change this and don’t notice any difference, then you likely have a too-small AC unit. In order to keep your home at the desired temperature, you need a unit that’s well-suited for your space, which our team can help recommend based on the size and shape of your home or office.
What happens if my AC unit is undersized?
Now that you know the key signs that your AC unit is too small for your house, you might be wondering why this is such a big problem in the first place. When you have an undersized air conditioner, it will struggle to get the room to your desired temperature. It will stop going through the correct on and off cycles, which will leave your Central Florida home feeling particularly unpleasant in the summer months.
Another thing to consider is that the wear and tear that an undersized unit causes can cost you a fortune in the long run. It will shorten the lifespan of your unit and then cost you more in repairs and maintenance. The sooner you replace a unit that’s the incorrect size for your space, the more money you’ll save and the happier you’ll feel in your home.
Contact Complete Air Mechanical for HVAC Replacement
At Complete Air Mechanical, we have experienced HVAC professionals who can inspect your AC and install a unit that’s right for your home or business. We provide service in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties, and we offer financing options.
Our team is here to assist if you notice any of the signs your AC unit is too small for your house. We’ll work with you to ensure you have a unit that’s correct for your home or office, keeping you comfortable during the hot summers in Central Florida.
Call us today at (407) 915-0144 or schedule an appointment online.