Recommended BTU per Square Foot Cooling

Cooling Load Formula:

\[ Q = A \times \text{BTU/ft}^2 \]

Recommended Cooling Capacity (BTU/h):

Definition: This calculator estimates the recommended cooling capacity in BTUs per hour based on room area and standard cooling requirements.

Purpose: Helps determine the appropriate air conditioner size for a given space to ensure efficient cooling.

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ Q = A \times \text{BTU/ft}^2 \]

Where:

\( Q \) — Cooling capacity (BTU/h)
\( A \) — Area to be cooled (square feet)
\( \text{BTU/ft}^2 \) — Cooling requirement per square foot (typically 20 BTU/h·ft²)

Explanation: The area is multiplied by the standard cooling requirement to determine the total BTU capacity needed.

Details: Correct sizing ensures energy efficiency, proper humidity control, and prevents short-cycling of the AC unit.

Tips: Enter the area in square feet and BTU per square foot (default 20 BTU/h·ft²). All values must be > 0.

Q1: What's the standard BTU per square foot?
A: Typically 20 BTU/h per square foot, but may vary from 15-30 based on room conditions.

Q2: When should I use a higher BTU/ft² value?
A: For sunny rooms, kitchens, or spaces with high ceilings, consider 25-30 BTU/h·ft².

Q3: Does this account for room height?
A: The basic calculation doesn't. For rooms over 8 ft tall, multiply result by (height/8).

Q4: How many square feet does 1 ton of cooling cover?
A: 1 ton = 12,000 BTU/h, which typically covers 600 sq ft at 20 BTU/h·ft².

Q5: Should I round up the result?
A: Yes, choose the nearest standard AC unit size (typically in increments of 6,000 BTU/h).