1. What is an Air Con Room Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the required cooling power (in kW) for an air conditioning unit based on room area and the unit's Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER).

Purpose: It helps homeowners and HVAC professionals determine the appropriate air conditioner size for a given room space.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_{kW} \) — Required cooling power (kilowatts)
• \( A_{room} \) — Room area (square meters)
• \( EER \) — Energy Efficiency Ratio (dimensionless)
• 44.6 — Conversion factor (W/m² to BTU/h)
• 3412 — Conversion factor (BTU/h to kW)

Explanation: The formula converts room area to cooling load in BTU/h, then converts to kW while accounting for the unit's efficiency.

3. Importance of Proper AC Sizing

Details: Correctly sized air conditioners operate more efficiently, provide better comfort, and have longer lifespans. Oversized units short-cycle, while undersized units run constantly.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the room area in square meters and the EER rating (default 3.5 for standard units). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is EER?
A: Energy Efficiency Ratio measures cooling output (BTU/h) divided by power input (W) under specific conditions. Higher EER means better efficiency.

Q2: What's a typical EER rating?
A: Standard units range 8-12 EER (2.3-3.5 in kW terms), while high-efficiency units can exceed 12 EER (3.5+).

Q3: Does this account for room height?
A: The basic calculation assumes standard ceiling heights. For rooms taller than 2.7m, multiply the result by (actual height/2.7).

Q4: What about windows or insulation?
A: This provides a baseline estimate. Add 10-20% for sun-facing rooms or poor insulation, subtract 10% for well-insulated spaces.

Q5: How do I convert kW to BTU/h?
A: Multiply kW by 3412 to get BTU/h (1 kW = 3412 BTU/h).