How Do Pros Determine the Right HVAC Size for Your Property?

If you’re planning to install or upgrade your commercial HVAC system, you’ll need to work with a professional air conditioning repair and replacement contractor, who will guide you through each step of the HVAC installation and ensure it goes smoothly. The size will also determine your HVAC system’s performance and efficiency, and there’s a certain process they follow to determine this. Here’s how our HVAC experts at Superior Air do it: 

The Basics

Air conditioning units are typically rated in tons, with the sizes available increasing in ½-ton increments. For small buildings, the average commercial HVAC size is about two tons, but it can be as much as 30 tons for larger buildings. 

To determine the right heating and air conditioning installation size for your commercial property, professional HVAC technicians will calculate your building’s cooling load in BTU, or British Thermal Units. A general rule of thumb is that it takes approximately 25 BTU to heat/cool one square foot, and that a one-ton unit can heat/cool around 12,000 BTU per hour. Other factors can also affect your cooling loads, such as its weatherization and your building’s design. 

Why the Right Size Is Important

If you choose undersized HVAC units for your commercial property, they’ll have a hard time heating and cooling your space efficiently. They’ll also have to work harder to keep indoor temperatures comfortable while running at their limit. This will make them consume more energy while also make them more susceptible to premature breakdowns. Oversized units aren’t the best choice either, because they’ll cycle on and off too frequently. This will lead to more temperature swings and hot and cold spots in your commercial property.

If you’re looking for a professional in residential and commercial air conditioning maintenance, Superior Air is the best choice for the job! Contact us at (559) 734-2002 or through our online request form. We serve Visalia and surrounding areas in CA.