Q:

# What size A/C unit do you need to cool a 1,300-square-foot house?

A:

A 25,000 BTU unit should comfortably cool down a 1,300-square-foot house. BTU stands for British thermal unit and is a traditional unit to measure energy. It is defined as the amount of heat required to raise by 1 degree Fahrenheit the temperature of 1 pound of water.

The capacity of an air-conditioning unit is sometimes measured in tons, and there are 12,000 BTU in a ton. Air-conditioning units also have an energy efficiency rating separate from their cooling capacity. The energy efficiency rating of an AC is equal to its BTU rating over wattage. The higher the rating is, the less energy a unit consumes.

## Similar Questions

• A:

As of 2014, the cost of installing an air conditioning unit in a 1,600-square-foot house falls between \$3,000 and \$5,000. If the duct work of the central air conditioning unit needs to be installed as well, then this price doubles.

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• A:

According to Capital Home Builders, a 2,300-square-foot home needs a 4-ton air conditioner. Since there are 12,000 BTUs per ton, a house of this size needs a 48,000-BTU air conditioner.

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• A:

For very hot climates, a 1-ton air conditioner can cool approximately 400 square feet, but in cooler climates, the same air conditioner could cool 800 square feet. The cooling capacity of an air conditioner is greatly dependent upon the temperature of the environment in which it is installed.