What Are Air Conditioning BTU’s?

Replacing your AC or adding a portable unit to your cooling system requires you to understand some basic terminology. BTU, or British thermal unit, is a term that you should know. What are BTUs, and why is this acronym important?

What Is a BTU?

British thermal units are a way to measure thermal, or heat, energy. Technically, a BTU is the amount of heat that it takes to heat 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. However, when it comes to your AC, it refers to the amount of heat that the unit can remove from the room per hour.

Why Are BTUs Important?

When BTUs aren’t figured correctly, keeping your home cool can be difficult and even cost you extra money. An incorrect number can cause your unit to operate continuously without really cooling properly. This increases utility costs and causes the equipment to fail long before it should. Your equipment’s specifications should match up with the square footage of the area that you intend to cool.

Savannah Air Factory can help you get a new high-performance AC system installed in Savannah. We know how to accurately figure BTUs for your home and offer in-home estimates.

BTUs for Your Floor Plan

Use a BTU cooling calculator to decide how many BTUs your home requires. Plug in the square footage, and you’ll learn how many BTUs will be required from your AC. You can find free BTU calculators online. When calculating an upstairs area that gets direct sunlight all day, add 10% to your BTU calculation. This will offset the extra heat this area receives and keep the second story cool.

Savannah Air Factory is your trusted go-to air conditioning company in Savannah. We’re a Yelp-verified business and are top-rated by Yelp members. Our status as a Lennox Premier Dealer indicates our commitment to delivering high-quality workmanship and outstanding customer service. We hire NATE-certified technicians who can handle repairs, installations, and maintenance. Our team can also help you improve your indoor air quality. Call us today for more information!