Goodman air conditioning units have varying capacities to keep you comfortable at home. If you're planning to buy a new one or replace an old unit, you might be curious about its tonnage. We have done the research to provide you with the details about the tonnage of a Goodman air conditioner.
You can determine the tonnage of your Goodman air conditioning by dividing the BTU by 12,000. If the information about the BTU is not available, you can check the model number. You will find 0 and two-digit even numbers ranging from 18 to 60. Then divide the digits by 12 to get the tonnage.
After you get the tonnage for your unit, you can plan for a new air conditioning unit to purchase. You should check the tonnage to find out how long will the AC unit cool your home in an hour. The tonnage will vary in each home because of differing home sizes and needs. Read further to learn about AC unit tonnage.
Where To Find A Goodman AC Tonnage?
You should locate your unit's model number if you want to know its tonnage. For Goodman units, look at the plate on its side. You can find the plate at the back of the unit close to the power supply and coolant lines.
Goodman AC units have 12 digits, so you might have difficulty locating the numbers. Look for a set of numbers starting with 0 and followed by a two-digit even number. The even numbers will range from 18 to 60. These numbers represent the unit's capacity in BTU. If the number is 30, it has a capacity of 30,000 BTUs per hour.
If you found the number, divide it by 12. For example, you found the number 24. Divide it into 12, and you will get 2 tons. You can also derive the tonnage if you have the BTU hours. If the unit has 48,000 BTUs, divide this by 12,000, and you get 4 tons. The higher the number you derive from the model number, the higher its tonnage.
Here is a list of the ton equivalent for the BTU numbers you can find on the model number:
- 18 = 1.5 tons
- 24 = 2 tons
- 30 = 2.5 tons
- 36 = 3 tons
- 42 = 3.5 tons
- 48 = 4 tons
- 60 = 5 tons
You can also double-check the tonnage based on the rated load amperage (RLA) you can see on the data plate. The RLA is the maximum amperage while the unit is running. You can divide the number by 5 or 6 (for older units). The result is the approximate tonnage of the AC unit.
Check out this similar post: How To Find Goodman Furnace Model And Serial Number
Is It Necessary To Find The AC Tonnage?
The tonnage is a rating for air conditioning units. It shows how many tons of heat a unit can remove from a room within a period. HVAC experts measure the heat by British Thermal Units (BTU), the energy needed to raise 1 °F of a pound of water at sea level.
There are 12,000 BTUs a one-ton air conditioner can take away in an hour.
The tonnage is important because it will help you pick your residence's suitable air conditioning unit size. If you choose a high tonnage AC unit, you will incur more energy costs.
You should select the AC unit that is efficient when cooling your home. If not, you might buy an oversized or too small unit that might cause more problems than comfort.
Some effects of choosing the wrong AC unit size are the following:
- Accelerates wear and tear of the unit due to short cycling
- More repairs and replacements
- Prevents dehumidification
- Raises electricity cost
Learn from this post about 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner – What Room Size?
What Air Conditioner Size To Buy?
After you calculate the tonnage of the AC unit, you can use the information to help you find the right AC size. You will need to account for the square footage of your home. Refer to the table below to match the AC size for your home:
| Square Footage | AC Unit Tonnage |
| 600 to 1,000 | 1.5 tons |
| 1,000 to 1,500 | 2 tons |
| 1,500 to 2,000 | 3 tons |
| 2,000 to 2,500 | 4 tons |
| 2,500 to 3,300 | 5 tons |
You can also choose the size for the AC unit based on the climate zone of your location. There are 5 zones namely, and each zone requires a range of BTUs per square foot shown below:
- Zone 1: 30 - 35
- Zone 2: 35 - 40
- Zone 3: 40 - 45
- Zone 4: 45 - 50
Besides the tonnage, consider other factors when choosing the suitable air conditioning unit size:
- Ceiling heights
- Windows, doors, and other airways
- Quality of existing insulation
- Geographic climate
- Level of your home's direct sun exposure
- Outdoor landscaping
- Number of people residing
- Use of any heating appliance
- Home architecture and materials
If you are unsure about your home's requirements, you can ask a professional to check your conditions.
Energy Audit
It can also help if you have an energy audit at home. You can request manual J, D, and S calculations to assess the amount of cooling your home needs. It is necessary to undergo thorough checking to follow air conditioning best practices. By doing so, you can get the following benefits from the energy audit:
- Comfort
- Energy-efficiency and savings
- Great returns on investment
- Improved indoor air quality
Do not forget to look for the Energy Star certification on the units to save on your power bills.
How Much Does A Goodman AC Cost?
The cost of a Goodman air conditioner will vary depending on the tonnage and other features. Goodman units differ in costs because you need to match them to your specific needs at home.
According to Goodman, they do not have a manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP) for their products. Installation costs are not the same due to some factors that include:
- Local weather conditions
- Construction type and age of the house
- Complex installation
- Quality of current ductwork
- State local codes and regulations
The company suggests contacting a Goodman brand dealer to give you a quotation, including other related costs. They also recommend letting their professionals do the installation for you. You might spend around $3,300 to $4,500.
If you don't want to spend on professional labor costs, you can also buy the unit and install it yourself. The price ranges from $3,188 to $4,275 based on the model.
Here are some Goodman air conditioning units you can choose from:
1. Goodman R410A 13 SEER Complete Split System
Click here to see this split AC system on Amazon.
2. Goodman 2 Ton 14 Seer Air Conditioner
Click here to see this 2-ton air conditioner on Amazon.
3. Goodman 3 Ton 16 SEER Air Conditioner Condenser
Click here to see this 3 ton SEER air conditioner on Amazon.
4. Goodman 4 Ton 16 Seer Air Conditioning System
Click here to see this 4-ton air conditioner on Amazon.
5. Goodman 5 Ton 14 Seer Heat Pump System (AC and Heat)
Click here to see this 5-ton AC and heat system on Amazon.
The units will have different noise settings and SEER ratings that affect the retail price. Read further how SEER ratings can influence your AC unit choice.
SEER Rating
Another factor to consider when choosing the AC is the SEER rating. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is the air conditioner's energy efficiency and heat pump rating. The AC unit is more efficient if the SEER rating is higher. Hence, the lower energy costs.
To calculate the SEER rating, you can follow these steps:
- Determine the cooling capacity of the AC. Take note of the BTUs per hour.
- Get the BTUs per hour used in the cold months. The number of months varies depending on your location. Multiply the value derived to number 1.
- Then get the wattage per hour or the power input of the unit.
- Multiply the result from number 2 with number 3 to get the BTUs per hour per year when the AC runs.
- Lastly, divide number 2 with number 4 to get the SEER rating.
The widely-accepted SEER rating for modern cooling units is 13. If you have older systems, the rating is around 6 to 10. However, if you want the most efficient for your home, choose higher ratings than 20. In effect, you might spend more on higher-rated units.
In Summary
You can conveniently calculate the tonnage of your Goodman AC unit from the model number you will see on its data plate. From the number, you will find digits ranging from 18 to 60 that correspond to the BTU capacity of the unit. Divide the number by 12 to get the tonnage. Another way is to use the RLA of the unit.
Determining how many tons the unit can handle is relevant because you can find a suitable AC unit size for your home. If you buy the wrong size, you might spend more on inefficient usage. Other than the AC size, ask for a professional energy audit and choose models with high SEER ratings.
Always remember to consider the tonnage so you can have a cool stay at home.