1. What is an Air Conditioner Calculation?

Definition: This calculator estimates the required air conditioner power based on room area and energy efficiency ratio (EER).

Purpose: It helps homeowners and HVAC professionals determine the appropriate AC unit size for optimal cooling and energy efficiency.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula converts room area to cooling load in BTU/hr, then calculates the required AC power in kW based on the unit's efficiency.

3. Importance of Proper AC Sizing

Details: Correct AC sizing ensures energy efficiency, proper humidity control, and prevents short cycling or insufficient cooling.

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 rating?
A: Energy Efficiency Ratio measures cooling output (BTU/hr) divided by power input (watts). Higher EER means better efficiency.

Q2: What's a typical EER value?
A: Standard units range 8-12 EER, while high-efficiency units can reach 12+ EER. Divide by 3.412 for the dimensionless value used here.

Q3: Does this account for room height?
A: No, this is a basic calculation. For rooms with high ceilings, multiply area by height factor (typically 1.1-1.3 for ceilings > 3m).

Q4: What about windows or insulation?
A: This provides a baseline. Add 10-20% for sunny rooms, poor insulation, or many windows.

Q5: How do I convert to tons of cooling?
A: Multiply kW result by 0.284 to get tons (1 ton = 3.517 kW).