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:

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.

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• A:

A 2,600-square-foot home needs a four-ton or five-ton air conditioning unit, depending on the climate zone in which the home is located, according to AC 4 Life. Homes in the Southwest or South need five-ton air conditioners, while other zones can use four-ton units.