Which BTU is Right for You?

The summer heat will drive many Clifton Park, NY residents to buying new air conditioners this season, and many of them may be a little confused by all of the different sizes in cooling apparatus available. But don’t worry; you can trust your friendly Family Danz Heating & Cooling expert to decipher all of those big words — and short acronyms — to help you make the perfect choice for your home or office.

At Family Danz, we know that an educated consumer makes choices that will maximize function while saving energy and money. Because the air conditioners vary in size according to the job you need them to do, it is imperative to pick one that is right for the task. If you buy a unit that is too small, it will run constantly, and that increases your utility bills without the benefit of making you feel comfortable. At the same time, if the unit is too large, it will cool inefficiently and allow for humidity buildup that leaves you still feeling cold and clammy.

The power of an air conditioner is measured in British Thermal Units, also known more commonly as BTUs. To compare, a 5,000-BTU unit won’t adequately cool more than about 150 square feet, which is a 10-by-15-foot room. A 20,000 BTU unit, on the other hand, can cool an area of more than 1,100 square feet. To figure your own square footage, multiply the length by the width of the room. If you have higher ceilings than normal, add 10 percent to that total.

Family Danz will be happy to meet with you and discuss your own personal cooling needs to decide what is best for you. You won’t have to sweat making the decision on your own — and you won’t have to worry about sweating out the rest of the summer, either.

Family Danz Heating & Cooling is a full-service heating and air conditioning contractor, offering sales and service in Clifton Park and all through the Capital District of New York State. If you would like more information on any of our services, call us today at 518-427-8685.