What is load calculation and how does it factor in to my new air conditioner?

July 07, 2016

If it’s time to consider an air conditioner replacement, having a technician perform a load calculation is important in finding the system that will work best for your living space. All homes are unique in their cooling needs. If your system is inaccurately sized, it will affect your comfort and raise your utility bills. Let’s explain what goes into a load calculation.

Historically, a load calculation was conducted only by figuring the square footage of a home. That’s still one piece of the puzzle, but we regard several other components to find the products that will be the best for your home. Our professionals will look at the climate in Erie, the square footage and design of your home, the level of insulation, your roof size and type, the size and location of windows, your home’s sun exposure and your family’s habits and schedule.

We want to help you discover the air conditioner replacement that completes your home. If your system is too small, you’ll have difficulty keeping your home at the perfect temperature. And just because a system is bigger doesn’t always mean it’s better. In reality, if your system is too big for your home, you could have a lot of problems:

  • Because it won’t have to operate as long, an oversized system will continuously warm up and cool down. This causes more wear and tear on the system than necessary.
  • It can also decrease productivity and raise utility bills.
  • Another problem with an oversized system cycling on and off too much is it will fail to dehumidify your air properly.

One key to your home’s comfort is maintaining proper airflow. Patterson & Stirling Inc can help with a room-by-room load calculation. We will make sure all components of your system—your air conditioner, ductwork and registers—are working together to keep you comfortable.

At Patterson & Stirling Inc, we specialize in keeping your Erie home comfortable and maximizing energy efficiency. If you’re considering an air conditioner replacement, give us a call at 814-308-0416.