3. Select Size of the Air Conditioning Unit in BTU

One thing that may be confusing when you are shopping for a new central air conditioner is how the size is referenced. An air conditioner’s cooling capacity is measured in a size known as British thermal units per hour (BTU). This is sometimes referred to as “tons” – which doesn’t refer to the weight of the unit, but the BTU/hour, or cooling power. One ton of cooling power equals 12,000 BTU/hr.
Your HVAC contractor should inspect the interior and layout of your home, as well as the raw square footage. They will use this information to make a recommendation for the proper sized AC system.
If your central air conditioning system is too large, it will cycle on and off throughout the day, which can waste electricity. When the central air conditioner is too small, it will not be able to sufficiently cool your home.
Make sure your central air conditioner system is sized correctly. There is more to consider than just the square footage of your home! Be sure to choose a contractor who will size your central AC system according to Manual J, a standard developed by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).