Is Your AC Unit Oversized?

July 28th, 2020

Cosmo here! The Boss is always telling people, “When it comes to your AC unit, size matters…and bigger isn’t necessarily better.” What does he mean by that??

Oversized AC units waste energy, have shorter lifespans, and can add to a home’s humidity levels.

One of the most important steps in installing a new AC system for your Mercer County, NJ home is sizing it correctly. A system that’s too small won’t get the job done, but you don’t want a unit that’s too large, either. An oversized AC system will operate in short cycles, quickly lowering the air temperature and then turning off again, often after just a few minutes. This will drive up your energy consumption and cooling costs, because AC units use high amounts of electricity when they turn on. This means that every time an AC unit turns off and then on again, it wastes money. Over time, this can also shorten an HVAC system’s lifespan, which means you’ll need a replacement sooner, costing you even more money.

In addition to turning on and off more often than it should and raising your utility bills, another problem that can result from an oversized system is excessive humidity in your house. Here’s how:

Air conditioners pull moisture from the air, and as this moisture condenses, it accumulates on the evaporator coil and then drains out. This process, by which humidity decreases, does not happen instantaneously; it takes time depending on the system, house, humidity level, and other factors. If your AC’s size is causing its cycles to be shorter than they should be, there won’t be enough time to remove moisture from the air. This will make your home less comfortable and may even contribute to mold growth on the walls or ceiling if the problem goes unaddressed for too long. Excess humidity can also make you more susceptible to heatstroke, as perspiration (the body’s natural way of cooling itself) becomes more difficult.

The only way to know for sure whether your system is oversized is with a Manual J cooling load calculation from an HVAC contractor, such as the air conditioning repair experts that Princeton, NJ homeowners rely on: SG Heating & Air Conditioning LLC.

If it’s time for a new AC system, we offer multi-stage outdoor units with multi-stage compressors that are able to match their output to the conditions, doing a better job at controlling humidity and comfort. A perfect AC system runs for long stretches of time at low speed, providing quiet cooling and humidity control, so the goal is to size a system that will come as close as possible to meeting the home’s exact needs. Our consultative approach means we’ll recommend the system that’s best for you. To learn more, give us a call at 609-448-1273 or fill out our contact form.

Now I know that bigger isn’t better when it comes to AC systems…but I still think bigger is better when it comes to bones! Woof!

Is Your AC Unit Oversized?

July 28th, 2020

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