1. What is BTU in Air Conditioning?

BTU (British Thermal Unit) measures cooling capacity in air conditioners. One BTU represents the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In air conditioning, BTU/hour indicates how much heat the unit can remove from a room per hour.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( Square\ Footage \) — Room area in square feet
• \( 20-30 \) — BTU per square foot (20 for shady rooms, 30 for sunny rooms)
• \( Adjustment\ Factors \) — Multipliers for special conditions

Adjustment Factors:

• Kitchen: +10% (due to heat from appliances)
• Additional occupants: +20% per person beyond 2

3. Importance of Proper BTU Calculation

Details: Correct BTU calculation ensures efficient cooling, energy savings, and proper humidity control. Undersized units run continuously without cooling effectively, while oversized units cycle too frequently, wasting energy and not dehumidifying properly.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure room dimensions accurately. Consider room orientation, window size, insulation quality, and local climate. For irregularly shaped rooms, calculate total square footage by dividing into rectangular sections.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens if I choose the wrong BTU size?
A: Too small - won't cool properly; too large - short cycling, poor dehumidification, higher energy costs.

Q2: How do I measure square footage accurately?
A: Multiply length by width of the room. For L-shaped rooms, calculate each rectangle separately and add.

Q3: What about room height?
A: Standard calculation assumes 8-foot ceilings. For higher ceilings, add 10% per additional foot.

Q4: Should I consider other factors?
A: Yes - insulation quality, number of windows, local climate, and heat-generating appliances.

Q5: What's the difference between BTU and tons?
A: 12,000 BTU/hour = 1 ton of cooling capacity. Residential units typically range from 5,000 to 24,000 BTU.