Energy efficiency air conditioning calculations are very important and vital to ensuring the right air conditioning system is installed into your home, office or other premises. It is important to consider the shape and size of the air conditioning components so everything fits and the area can be cooled adequately and efficiently. There are online calculators to help you calculate your individual needs, but with so many variables, we would recommend you get your efforts double-checked by an accredited air conditioning engineer.

British Thermal Units

You may have heard of BTU and wondered what it stands for. It means British Thermal Unit and is the worldwide measurement for a standard unit of energy. For the more technically minded, one BTU is the amount of heat required to increase the temperate of 1llb of liquid water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.

One BTU is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of liquid water by 1 degree Fahrenheit at its maximum density. Basically it is a measurement of energy and for air conditioning, the amount of energy required to perform the action of cooling the room and the number of units will indicate the air amount in cubic feet to alter temperature by 1 degree per hour or n BTU/hr.

To make it a little easier to understand, 1 BTU is equal to 251.9 calories, 3.413 BTU is equal to 1 watt and 3413 BTU is equal to 1kWatt. Electrical heating and cooling equipment are not the only generators of BTU even we human beings are expenders of energy. For instance when we are asleep we generate 250 BTU/hr up to 1040 BTU/hr when we are walking at a moderate pace.

Calculating for Air Conditioning

A BTU calculator works taking various factors and measurements into the equation using them to calculate the BTU your air conditioning system will need to generate:

• Room Length, Width and Height
• North Facing Walls
• French Windows/Patio Doors
• Double Glazing

External factors such as climate will also play a part and be factored in to the calculation. For example windy conditions on top of a hill or an exposed location will need to be compensated, while sheltered homes and those further south will also have their unique features accounted for.

Overestimating requirements is far better than underestimating, but there is no reason why the perfect solution cannot be arrived at by carefully calculating your needs with direct measurements and mitigating factors.

Air Conditioners

An air conditioner with 5000 BTU/hr decreases air temperature by one degree in one hour based on 5000 cubic feet of air by one degree in one hour. This type of output will efficiently cool a room of 200 to 300 square feet.

Home insulation and even insulation in a given room also play a part in air conditioner efficiency. A home with good loft insulation and cavity wall insulation and double-glazing will make for lower running costs and it may be possible to use a lower BTU output device. If the kitchen is to be taken into account, bear in mind a lot of heat is generated which will make a difference to your BTU calculations. You should also leave room for future changes you may anticipate in the home so for example if your calculations say you need a 10000 BTU unit, then buying an air conditioner up to 12000 will make for energy efficiency air conditioning.

Energy efficiency air conditioning calculations mean your air conditioning system will not have to work too hard and will keep the air temperature as comfortable and cool maintaining the temperature of your choosing. As the unit will not have to work harder or longer, savings will be seen on the energy bills.

An energy efficiency air conditioning engineer will perform the optimum calculation for your individual needs for a tailored solution just for you – they can even estimate the running costs for you.