Comments on: How to Size Your Air Conditioning System http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/for-the-homeowner/home-maintenance-for-the-homeowner/ihow-size-air-conditioning-systemi/ A Houston home inspector looks at homes and his community Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:55:51 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: frankschulteladbeck http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/for-the-homeowner/home-maintenance-for-the-homeowner/ihow-size-air-conditioning-systemi/#comment-2846 frankschulteladbeck Mon, 15 Nov 2010 19:43:43 +0000 http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/for-the-homeowner/home-maintenance-for-the-homeowner/ihow-size-air-conditioning-systemi/#comment-2846 Jason, I do agree with you that the house has to be analyzed better when determining the best system, and performing a proper heat load calculation using manual J should be part of what is done. This post was written before I had seen most HVAC technicians take that step. I wanted the consumer to be aware what size they may need in general, and the arguments about what size may be needed. In the end, a better informed public can make smarter choices. Jason, I do agree with you that the house has to be analyzed better when determining the best system, and performing a proper heat load calculation using manual J should be part of what is done. This post was written before I had seen most HVAC technicians take that step. I wanted the consumer to be aware what size they may need in general, and the arguments about what size may be needed. In the end, a better informed public can make smarter choices.

]]> By: Jason http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/for-the-homeowner/home-maintenance-for-the-homeowner/ihow-size-air-conditioning-systemi/#comment-2845 Jason Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:22:54 +0000 http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/for-the-homeowner/home-maintenance-for-the-homeowner/ihow-size-air-conditioning-systemi/#comment-2845 I would be very cautious of anyone claiming to be a HVAC professional that does NOT do a proper heat load calculation using manual J. Anything else is a guess. Just because the old unit worked does not mean the new one will using the same size. Rules of thumb calculations should be avoided when investing in one of the most important part of your home. I would be very cautious of anyone claiming to be a HVAC professional that does NOT do a proper heat load calculation using manual J. Anything else is a guess. Just because the old unit worked does not mean the new one will using the same size. Rules of thumb calculations should be avoided when investing in one of the most important part of your home.

]]> By: frankschulteladbeck http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/for-the-homeowner/home-maintenance-for-the-homeowner/ihow-size-air-conditioning-systemi/#comment-979 frankschulteladbeck Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:23:26 +0000 http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/for-the-homeowner/home-maintenance-for-the-homeowner/ihow-size-air-conditioning-systemi/#comment-979 Thank you for commenting Mark. The 500 sq ft rule is one that I have heard from various installers, but each home is a special case. I appreciate your opinion about the upsizing of the unit. I am getting mixed reviews from a few installers, so I am not sure where I land on the topic. In most cases I have dismissed technicians who have suggested larger units, but as I said, Hubert is someone I have trusted, so it is hard to discount him out of hand. Thank you for commenting Mark.
The 500 sq ft rule is one that I have heard from various installers, but each home is a special case. I appreciate your opinion about the upsizing of the unit. I am getting mixed reviews from a few installers, so I am not sure where I land on the topic. In most cases I have dismissed technicians who have suggested larger units, but as I said, Hubert is someone I have trusted, so it is hard to discount him out of hand.

]]> By: Mark - WebHVAC.com http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/for-the-homeowner/home-maintenance-for-the-homeowner/ihow-size-air-conditioning-systemi/#comment-969 Mark - WebHVAC.com Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:14:44 +0000 http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/for-the-homeowner/home-maintenance-for-the-homeowner/ihow-size-air-conditioning-systemi/#comment-969 Frank - Save your money on both ends... The acid cleaning is only going to remove the debris the water didnt! In most cases, brushing it with a soft bristle brush does just as good as the acid cleaner. As far as your sizing method of 500sf/ton... this is a good "Rule of thumb" principle, but very far from accurate! For instance, I have a 1800 sf upstairs on my home, but cool it sufficiently with a 2.5 ton unit in Charlotte NC. On the extreme hot days of 95 degrees, it does struggle a bit, but nothing that closing the blinds early in the day wont cure! We can generally maintain 71 degrees all day long since we planted shade trees on the side of the home in direct sunlight all day. The shade helps lower the cooling load. Do a search for reviews of coolnsave. Its a 1 gal water/day product that will not only increase system efficiency, but also make your system work better during those high load days. Upsizing your unit is not the answer. On days when its not 95 outside, your system will do nothing but shortcycle on and off, and never properly cool your home. Load test... Mark Frank –

Save your money on both ends… The acid cleaning is only going to remove the debris the water didnt! In most cases, brushing it with a soft bristle brush does just as good as the acid cleaner.

As far as your sizing method of 500sf/ton… this is a good “Rule of thumb” principle, but very far from accurate! For instance, I have a 1800 sf upstairs on my home, but cool it sufficiently with a 2.5 ton unit in Charlotte NC. On the extreme hot days of 95 degrees, it does struggle a bit, but nothing that closing the blinds early in the day wont cure! We can generally maintain 71 degrees all day long since we planted shade trees on the side of the home in direct sunlight all day. The shade helps lower the cooling load.

Do a search for reviews of coolnsave. Its a 1 gal water/day product that will not only increase system efficiency, but also make your system work better during those high load days.

Upsizing your unit is not the answer. On days when its not 95 outside, your system will do nothing but shortcycle on and off, and never properly cool your home.

Load test…

Mark

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