A Bigger Air Conditioner Is Not Always Better

With many things, bigger is better. People want a big house, a big car and big appliances. After all, having a bigger oven or dishwasher often means a top-of-the-line model. But with air conditioners, size has nothing to do with quality. Sometimes, the opposite can be true and having an air conditioner that’s too large for your Omaha area home can cause major problems. Getzschman Heating and Cooling put together this quick guide as to why!

Oversized Air Conditioners Do Not Benefit the Homeowner

The first problem is that large air conditioners work well. In fact, they work too well. Because air conditioners pump a lot of cool air into your home, you reach your set temperature point in a flash and then it turns off. This rapid on/off cycle cheats you of humidity control, which is a reason you want an air conditioner in the first place.

When your air conditioner is running it doesn’t just cool your home, it also serves to extract moisture from the air. Think about how the air is always drier in winter. The same principle applies. But when the air conditioner only runs in short, powerful bursts, it doesn’t fully get the chance to extract that moisture, resulting in a cool but clammy home.

Oversized Air Conditioning Units Cost More Money to Run

You will also pay more to run an oversized unit. Think about what happens when you drive your car in stop-and-go traffic. The starting and stopping activity burns more fuel than if your car was moving at a steady pace. The same is true for your air conditioner. Oversized units cool too quickly and cycle off. As soon as the temperature starts to rise they cycle back on. More electricity is consumed as you start and stop the unit than when it is running. So a larger unit will actually be less efficient.

The frequent on/off cycle will quickly wear your unit down, resulting in maintenance problems or even failures. And on top of all of this, it won’t be very comfortable as the temperature swings widely with the cycles of the unit. The end result is high electricity bills and an uncomfortable home. Not exactly what you were aiming for.

Have a G-Force Heating and Cooling Expert Calculate the Right System for your Home

The solution is simple: work with a qualified HVAC technician from Getzschman Heating and Cooling to calculate the right system to fit your home—and no more. They’ll make this calculation based on the square footage of your home, the number of windows and doors, the amount of direct sun or shade around your house, the type of insulation you have in your attic and walls and general temperature patterns in your area. They will use all this information combined with their expertise to help you find the system that meets your needs. Remember, quality has nothing to do with size in HVAC. A small unit can be more efficient, more cost-effective and more reliable if it’s fitted to the space.

For more information about air conditioner installation, give Getzschman Heating and Cooling a phone call at toll free (800) 657-2158.