Air Conditioner Sizing
Calculator
Results
- Power (BTU/h)
- 7,764.180875
- Power (kW)
- 2.275456
- Floor area (ft²)
- 322.917312
HVAC and plumbing results
| Power (BTU/h) | 7,764.180875 |
| Power (kW) | 2.275456 |
| Floor area (ft²) | 322.917312 |
formula-map diagram
- Power (BTU/h)
- 7,764.180875
- Power (kW)
- 2.275456
- Floor area (ft²)
- 322.917312
HVAC and plumbing relationship
Formula
BTU/h = (area_ft² × 20 + 600 × extra occupants) × (1 + sun %)= 7764.1808750284
Note
This is a simplified model: it applies a standard engineering formula to the numbers you entered. Conversions between BTU/h and kW use the exact factor 1 kW = 3412.142 BTU/h, but every sizing figure is an estimate. Air conditioner sizing uses the common 20 BTU/h per square foot rule of thumb, not a room-by-room load calculation, and it ignores insulation, glazing, orientation, ceiling height, infiltration and local climate. Heating loads use a single volumetric heat-loss factor in W/m³·K rather than a fabric-by-fabric U-value calculation. Air properties are fixed at 1.2 kg/m³ and water at 1000 kg/m³ and 4186 J/kg·K, with no correction for temperature, altitude or glycol. Duct and pipe results use the ideal continuity equation and ignore fittings, bends, roughness and system effect unless you enter those losses yourself. The Hazen-Williams equation is valid only for water in full turbulent flow at ordinary temperatures. Water hammer uses the Joukowsky surge, an upper bound for instant closure. Tank drainage assumes a prismatic tank and steady free discharge. Hot water recovery and condensate figures ignore standing losses and coil bypass. Size real systems with a proper heat-loss survey and have the work checked by a qualified HVAC or plumbing professional.
More in HVAC and plumbing
See all →Frequently asked questions
How many BTUs do I actually need per square foot?+
A common rule of thumb is 20 BTU/hr per square foot of living space for average ceiling height and insulation, but this is only a starting point. Climate zone, ceiling height, window area, and insulation quality can shift the real number up or down by 30% or more.
What happens if I oversize the air conditioner?+
An oversized unit cools the room quickly but shuts off before it has run long enough to properly dehumidify the air, leaving the space feeling clammy. It also cycles on and off more often, which wears out the compressor faster and wastes energy.
Why does the calculator ask about sun exposure and number of occupants?+
Direct sunlight through windows and body heat from occupants both add real cooling load beyond the base square footage. A south-facing room with large windows or one that regularly holds several people needs more capacity than the basic square-footage estimate suggests.
Is BTU per hour the same thing as 'tons' of cooling?+
They're related but not identical: one ton of air conditioning equals 12,000 BTU/hr. A '2-ton' unit is rated at 24,000 BTU/hr, so converting between the two units just means dividing or multiplying by 12,000.
Should I round up or down to the nearest available unit size?+
Round up to the next standard size rather than down, since undersizing is the more common and more uncomfortable mistake — the unit will run constantly and still struggle to reach the target temperature on hot days.