A common misconception that people have regarding air conditioners is that the larger a system in a home, the more effective the system will be at keeping the space cool. Homeowners want the best installation they can possibly find, and unfortunately they often conflate “best” with “biggest.” When it comes to a central air conditioning system, a bigger unit is rarely the best one. If you’re planning on an air conditioning installation or replacement for your home, apply the Goldilocks logic: find an AC that is neither too big, nor too small, but just right.
Why an oversized AC will mean trouble
An air conditioning system that is too powerful for the space it’s supposed to cool (i.e. its tonnage is too large) will run the risk of short-cycling. This is when an AC lowers the temperature so rapidly that it prematurely senses it has completed its cooling cycle and shuts off the compressor. But the compressor will turn back on a short time later when the temperature rises, only to shut off once more, and the process repeats over and over.
Getting trapped rapid on-and-off cycling is bad news for an air conditioner in multiple ways: The cooling is uneven because the AC doesn’t remain on long enough to distribute air to every room, the components wear down rapidly and soon require repairs, and electrical bills will skyrocket because the AC draws the most power at start-up. Unfortunately, the only way to fix this problem is to replace the entire air conditioner. This is why it’s so important that you have professionals handle your air conditioner installation so that you end up with one that’s the correct size.
When you call on our HVAC team at Southeast Air & Heat, we’ll perform a heat load calculation to determine the ideal size of air conditioner for your home. You can trust us for the best in AC service in Conway, FL.
