Summer in Denver heats up fast, and you deserve a cool and comfortable haven to retreat to. At Controlling Systems, your trusted Denver AC contractor, we offer a complete range of air conditioning services to keep your home refreshingly cool all season.
This blog post will guide you through two key decisions for optimal home comfort: choosing the right size air conditioner and understanding the difference between single-stage and two-stage air conditioners.
Choosing the Right Size Air Conditioner
An air conditioner that’s too small (undersized unit) will struggle to keep your home cool, leading to discomfort and high energy costs. Conversely, an oversized unit will short cycle, wasting energy and creating uneven cooling. Here’s how to find the perfect fit:
- Square Footage: This is a starting point. Multiply the length and width of each room that needs cooling to determine its square footage.
- BTU Rating: Match your total square footage to a British Thermal Unit (BTU) rating. A general rule is 20 BTU per square foot.
- Adjustments: Consider factors that affect heat gain like ceiling height, climate, sun exposure, and number of occupants. Increase BTUs for kitchens, sunny rooms, or more people. Decrease BTUs for heavily shaded areas.
- Manual J Calculation: For the most accurate sizing, consider a load calculation. This professional assessment considers all these factors, including your central air conditioning system’s outdoor unit and indoor unit, to recommend the perfect sized unit.
Controlling Systems Can Help!
Our experienced technicians can help you determine the ideal air conditioner capacity for your home, considering all the important factors. We offer a variety of air conditioning services, including installation, replacement, repair, and maintenance.
Single-Stage vs. Two-Stage Air Conditioners
Once you know the right size, you’ll also need to decide between a single-stage and two-stage air conditioner:
- Single-Stage: This is the more basic option. The compressor has one operating level, running at full blast to cool your home.
- Two-Stage: This offers greater efficiency and comfort. The compressor has two settings:
- Low: Perfect for milder days, using less energy and providing more consistent cooling.
- High: Kicks in on hot days for maximum cooling power.
Benefits of Two-Stage ACs:
- Energy Efficiency: Runs more often at the lower setting, reducing energy consumption and lowering your operating costs.
- Comfort: Provides more even cooling and removes twice the pound of water (humidity), ideal for combating high summer humidity.
Two-Stage Considerations:
- Cost: Two-stage ACs typically have a higher upfront cost compared to single-stage models.
- Climate: If you live in a high-humidity area, the comfort benefits of a two-stage system become more significant.
Choosing Between Single-Stage and Two-Stage:
The best choice depends on your budget and climate.
- Budget-conscious?: A single-stage AC might be the way to go.
- High-humidity area and prioritize comfort?: A two-stage AC is a worthwhile investment.
Controlling Systems: Your Comfort Experts
Our technicians can help you weigh the pros and cons of each type of AC unit to make the best decision for your needs. We can also help you determine if a window air conditioning unit is a good option for a specific space, or recommend a heat pump for year-round comfort.
Stay Cool and Comfortable All Summer Long!
Contact Controlling Systems today for a free consultation and discuss your AC needs. We’ll ensure you have the right size and type of air conditioner to keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the entire summer season. Look for our Energy Star qualified units with high seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) to keep your cool air where it belongs and your operating costs low.
