Did you know that having an A/C unit that’s too big for your space can be detrimental to your comfort and energy efficiency?
Why would this be bad?
Sure, you know how important it is to have a properly sized air conditioner in your home. But why would having an oversized unit ever be a bad thing? Wouldn’t it be better to have more cooling power than you need, just in case? Well, no. It turns out that having an air conditioner that’s too big for your home can actually make you less comfortable and waste energy in the process. Let’s look at why this is and what you can do about it.
Your home isn’t being cooled.
If your air conditioner is too large, it will let out too much cool air for your home! That means the temperature will rapidly cool some areas down faster than others instead of cooling your home evenly. Then your A/C will do something called “short-cycling,” which means it turns on and off again quickly. This puts significant stress on your system, reduces its lifespan, and uses more energy in the long run. Plus, your home won’t even get fully cooled in the process!
You’re wasting energy.
Since an oversized air conditioner will cycle on and off more frequently, it will use more energy than a properly sized unit. Plus, of course, it also uses more energy just because it’s a higher BTU unit. This means you’ll see a higher energy bill each month, even if your home isn’t any cooler than it was before! Not only is it bad for your wallet, but it’s also bad for the environment to be wasting all that energy.
It won’t dehumidify your home.
Another problem with having an oversized air conditioner is that it won’t remove enough humidity from the air. This is because part of your A/C’s job is to dehumidify in addition to cooling, and it needs time to do that. According to Energy Vanguard, for the air to move over the evaporator coil and water vapor to condense, it takes about 15 minutes of constant A/C runtime to start to happen. So, the 10-minute on-and-off rapid cycling of an oversized unit will not work! This can make your home feel sticky and muggy, even when the temperature is cool. And in extreme cases, it can lead to condensation on your walls and windows or even mold and mildew growth.
What can you do?
If you think your air conditioner might be too big for your home, the best thing to do is contact a professional air conditioning contractor. They can help you determine the proper size unit for your space, ensure it’s installed correctly, and that all load calculations were accurately made using the official Manual J. So if you suspect your A/C unit is too big (or too small!), you can trust the certified pros at Weather Master to get to the bottom of the issue! Schedule an appointment online or call now: (919) 853-7910