By measuring the British Thermal Unit (BTU), you can precisely tell how efficiently the air conditioner will operate. However, you don't know the right BTU for your 12x12 room. So how many BTU do you need anyway? Well, we've done some research and have the answers for you. Let's discuss!
Usually, a 12 x 12 room needs 5,000 BTU of cooling capacity when used by two people. If the space is not getting direct sunlight, you only need 4,500 BTU.
However, depending on how many people use the room, it can take upwards of 6,000 BTU to cool a 12 x 12 space.
Knowing the precise BTU you need helps the AC unit operate at its highest efficiency. As a result, you'll expect the AC unit to provide comfort and cost-efficiency.
In this topic, we will talk about why BTUs essential and what are the other BTUs recommendation for various room sizes. With that said, let's dive right in!
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Why Is BTU Important?
A vital aspect of defining how efficiently a cooling or heating system will perform in a given area is assessing the system's energy output. BTUs help to determine the cooling or heating capacity of a system. The more BTUs the device has, the more efficient it is.
How To Find The Right BTU
Calculating the correct BTUs for your house is crucial for selecting cooling and heating systems. The most important factor affecting the number of BTUs required for a residence is its square footage.
However, you can multiply each square footage of your area by 20 to get the precise BTU you need.
There are many figures and BTU calculators accessible online if you want to get a general estimate of how many BTUs you'll need.
That's because there are so many variables to consider, so it's always better to consult an HVAC expert.
Other Aspects To Consider When Selecting BTU
Not every room and home are created equal; some are on various floors, receive different amounts of sunlight, and so on, all of which impact the required BTU.
Before picking a BTU, you'll have to consider the following things:
Roof Floor Insulation
Generally, the top level of a house usually gets more heat and sunlight. Also, it is right next to the roof, which constantly receives and passes heat from the sun.
Meanwhile, the top floor would shield the lower floors from direct sunlight, and insulating it will add extra heat protection.
If your room is on the top story, we suggest raising the BTU you'll pick by 10%.
How Many Windows Do You have?
Windows, particularly single-paned windows with a lot of them installed in your house, can cause energy loss in your home. Single-pane is less energy-efficient windows.
Hence, the overall cooling capacity for an AC unit can be lower by having too many windows.
How High Is Your Ceiling?
A room with a regular 9-foot high ceiling has less space than one with a high ceiling. To cool the space more efficiently, adjust the BTUs by one or two higher than standard.
Prone To Sunlight
Because of the heat generated by summer sun exposure, south- or west-facing structures require longer to cool. Homes with a lot of covers, or those that face mostly north or east, receive less sunlight and are therefore colder.
Home Appliances
Our household appliances also produce thermal energy. This is most common in appliances with high voltage usage, such as refrigerators.
Suppose you're estimating the BTU for a kitchen with many heat-generating appliances like the stove and ovens. You'll want to include the heat the air conditioner will have to remove.
In these situations, we suggest adding 4000 BTU value to spaces such as the kitchen. What's more, ENERGY STAR offers and guarantees their air conditioner can help save up to 10% of energy per year.
So that's a takeaway for you to consider.
How Good Is An 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner?
An 8,000 BTU air conditioner is sufficient for a standard size bedroom. A typical bedroom measures between 132 and 219 square feet.
Moreover, the size of this bedroom can be efficiently cool with an 8,000 BTU window air conditioner or a portable air conditioner.
See this window air conditioner on Amazon.
How Much Does It Cost To Run An 8,000 BTU AC?
On average, an air conditioner costs about $40 and $100 a year. The air conditioner's cooling power mainly influences this in BTU and watts.
The costs of operating an air conditioner are also determined by its efficiency and the cooling demand placed on it.
However, this will depend on how you operate your AC and the frequency of its operation. In addition, according to a report, in the U.S astounding $2,000 will add to their energy bills per year.
Among the top appliances that share the largest energy cost goes to cooling and heating. Based on this measurement, picking a 12,000 BTU with rooms under 450 square feet then otherwise is too much.
What Size Room Does A 9,000 BTU Air Conditioner Cool?
An air conditioner with a cooling capacity of 9,000 BTU is considered adequate for a space measuring 300 to 350 square feet.
But make sure to adhere to the other aspect when deciding to choose your BTU.
See this air conditioner on Amazon.
How Much BTU Do I Need For 10 x 15 Room?
A BTU range of up to 5,400 is best for most rooms sizing ten by 15 or 150 square feet. You'll require an 8,000 BTU or 9,000 BTU power air conditioner after the room size exceeds 340 or 400 square feet.
How Many BTU Do I Need For A 12x15 Room?
The minimum cooling output of an air conditioner for a 12 x 15 room is 6,000 BTU. This should work efficiently in this setting, especially if the house has fewer occupants.
Calculate this by increasing the room's size by 20 BTU. As a result, 12 x 15 equals 180 square feet. When you multiply 180 by 20, you get 6,000 BTU.
Is 12,000 BTU Too Much?
It depends on the size of the room, but air conditioners typically have a cooling capacity ranging from around 5,000 to 12,000 Btu. Thus, a 12,000 BTU air conditioner should be fine in a room size 450 to 550 square feet.
Furthermore, a 12,000 Btu AC unit could chill a 550 square feet space measuring 25 by 20 square feet. However, you will also consider the size of your entrances and windows in a realistic BTU calculation.
View this portable AC unit on Amazon.
Below, we've listed some of the basic BTU room size equivalent calculated by experts.
House Size By Square Footage
- 400 - 450 square footage = 10,000 BTU
- 450 - 500 square footage = 12,000 BTU
- 500 - 700 square footage = 14,000 BTU
- 700 - 1,000 square footage = 18,000 BTU
- 1,000 - 1,200 square footage = 21,000 BTU
- 1,500 - 2,000 square footage = 30,000 BTU
- 2,000 - 2,500 square footage = 34,000 BTU
What Happens If You Oversize An AC Unit?
An enormous HVAC unit might make your home's interior temperature uncomfortable. While an HVAC system with overcapacity can cool or heat your home more quickly, it also causes a few other problems.
For example, whether a gradual level of heating and cooling will not benefit your household. As a result, you may experience various hot and cold places across your home.
Secondly, adequate HVAC systems disperse the air as it cools in cooling mode.
Oversized HVAC systems don't normally operate long enough for the moisture control process to take complete. Consequently, your home is a sweaty and unpleasant place to stay.
Does Higher BTU Mean More Electricity?
Because they consume more power to chill your home, oversized air conditioners nearly always result in higher energy costs.
Though large BTU air conditioners cool your home fast, they short-cycle more frequently, which is the compressor cycles 'ON' and 'OFF' in short intervals, which is very impractical and inefficient.
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To Wrap Up
Throughout this topic, we learned a lot of helpful insights, especially the importance of identifying the precise BTU you need. Also, we've discussed the factors affecting the efficiency of the AC unit's BTU cooling capacity.
You also know the other BTU's precise recommendation for specific room sizes. After all, we're positive that knowing all this helpful information will help you choose the right BTU desired.
Made it this far? If you find this topic helpful, please also read these related posts!
What Size Generator Can Run A 5000 BTU Air Conditioner?
How Much Power Does A Portable Air Conditioner Use? [By BTU]