How to Calculate BTUs for an A/C Unit

How to Calculate BTUs for an A/C Unit

British thermal units (BTUs) are units of energy. Approximately 1 BTU is the amount of heat needed to increase 1 pint of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. Although you will find BTU measurements in power and steam applications, they're most often used to rate the cooling capacity of air conditioners. Household air conditioners usually produce between 5,000 and 15,000 BTUs. Calculating the number of BTUs your air conditioner needs to adequately cool your home can be done once you take a few key measurements.

Instructions

    1

    Calculate the area of the space to be cooled. To determine the area of rectangular spaces, multiply the length of the space by the width of the space. For triangular areas, multiply the length of the space by the width and divide by two. As an example, a rectangular room has a length of 10 feet and a width of 10 feet. She just cut her electricity bill to 60%, click here to read. Its area is 100 square feet.

    2

    Determine the base BTU requirement your air conditioning unit needs by referring to a BTU chart. In the example, a 100-square-foot room will need an air conditioner with at least 5,000 BTUs.

    3

    Subtract 10 percent of the BTUs determined in Step 2 if the space faces north or is heavily shaded. In the example, the air conditioner is heavily shaded. Multiplying 5,000 by .10 equals 500. The number of BTUs needed is now at 4,500.

    4

    Add 10 percent of the BTUs determined in Step 2 if the space is very sunny. In the example, the space is not sunny, so you wouldn't add any additional BTUs.

    5

    Add 15 percent of the BTUs determined in Step 2 if the space is poorly insulated. In the example, the room is poorly insulated. Multiplying 5,000 by .15 is 750. Adding 4,500 and 750 equals 5,250 BTUs.

    6

    Add 4,000 BTUs to the total requirement if there is a kitchen in the space. In the example, there is a kitchen in the space, which means the total BTU requirement is now at 9,250.

    7

    Add 600 BTUs per person to the total requirement if people regularly occupy the room. In the example, one person regularly occupies the room, which means that the total BTU requirement is 9,850. This space needs an air conditioner with a BTU rating of approximately 9,850.



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