AC is an essential appliance for your home or commercial building. It helps to keep the temperature within your comfort zone by cooling the area where it is set. There are various sizes of AC available in the market depending on the size of the area you will use it.
You may ask what size AC you may need for 900 sq ft. Let us answer the question with some additional information that we think might come in handy for you.
Ac size for 900 sq ft:
1.5 – 1.75 tons or 18100 – 21000 BTU is the perfect size for a 900 sq ft place. The exact size you may need for a 900 sq ft place will depend on various facts. It will depend on the temperature in your area, access to sunlight, the number of people in the room, location of the kitchen and many more.
The size of an AC depends on various factors. The place you will be using is one of the main factors. The size of an AC unit varies based on the temperature curve in your area. Based on that, you may need a bigger AC than other areas for the same 900 sq ft space.
AC size is calculated in Tons or BTU. Manufacturers widely use BTU compared to tons. BTU expresses the amount of cooling that an AC unit can perform within a specific time. Although this is referred to as a British measuring method, it is accepted worldwide.
900 sq ft places are widely seen these days. Due to the rising temperature, people prefer to cool it using an AC unit. It is found that 1.5 tons are the best possible ac size for a 900 sq ft place. This means that the AC unit needs to have a cooling capacity of around 18100 BTU.
You might need a bigger AC unit if the weather in your area is warm. It is recommended by experts that you may need an AC unit up to 1.75 tons. This means that you may need an AC which has a cooling capacity of around 21000 BTU.
If you need a window AC for 900 sq ft of space, the recommended AC size would be 18000 BTU or 1.5 tons. Depending on where you will set the AC, the size may vary. If the AC is set in a dark room, you may consider purchasing an AC with a lower BTU than 18000.
But if you set the AC in a room with direct sunlight access or near the kitchen, you will need an AC up to 22000 BTU or 1.75 tons.
How do I calculate what size air conditioner I need?
If you want to know what size air conditioner you will need for your place, it is a must to know the method to calculate that. The process is simple and straightforward. First, you need to find the length and width of the place. The measurements have to be in feet.
After you find the measurements, you will have to multiply them. Simply multiply the length and width that you have measured and find the total. The result you will get then needs to be multiplied by 20 or 25, depending on the type of AC you will use.
If you are thinking of purchasing Split, Central and AC types like these, you need to multiply by 25. But if you are purchasing a portable or window AC, you will have to multiply by 20.
You will also have to keep in mind that the number of people that will be in the room will also affect the size of the AC. If there are more than two people in the place, you need to add 600 BTU for each person.
After calculating, you can divide the value by 12000 to find the value in ton from the BTU value.
What type of Air Conditioner is best for a 900 sq ft space?
There are various Air Conditioners available on the market. Among them, there are some Air Conditioners that will be appropriate for a 900 sq ft space. If you want to know the types, here is the list that we think would be the best for a 900 sq ft space:
Window Air Conditioner:
Window Air Conditioner is considered to be the best possible Air Conditioner for a 900 sq ft space. This can cool the area in a much more efficient way. It is energy efficient and can provide a much better cooling output.
But the main problem with this air conditioner is that it takes up a lot of space in the window on which it will be set.
Portable Air Conditioner:
Portable Air Conditioner is another excellent alternative for a 900 sq ft space. It is cheap to find a portable air conditioner in the current market. The best thing about this air conditioner is that it can be moved to any place wherever you want.
It does not have to be set in a place. But the biggest drawback is that it does not have a high cooling capacity as any other air conditioner.
Split Air Conditioner:
Split Air Conditioner is a new and widely used option that is great for a 900 sq ft place. It has a great cooling capacity over window air conditioners. It can be set on a certain wall and can be operated without any hassle.
But it has a higher maintenance and operating cost.
Things to consider before choosing an AC size for a 900 sq ft home:
There are several things one should consider before choosing an AC size for a 900 sq ft home. Some of them have been discussed below –
Access to Sunlight:
Direct access to sunlight in your house will cause a significant impact on the size of the AC. If there is direct access to sunlight in the room, you will need to increase the BTU of your AC. You will need to increase around 10 – 15 percent.
But if your room is in a dark area, then the BTU will reduce by around 10 – 15 percent.
Number of People in the home:
The number of people that will be in the room is another big thing that you should consider before purchasing an AC. The BTU value that you will find by calculating is for two people.
For every additional person that will be in the room, you will need to add 600 per person with the BTU value. If you do not follow this rule, you will not feel the proper cooling of the AC.
Region of your home:
The geographical placement of your home is another significant factor to consider while choosing the size of the AC for your 900 sq ft home. Geographical location plays a massive role in the temperature of any place.
It is considered that the Northern regions in the United States are comparatively colder than the other side. Thus, you will need a bigger AC if you live in the south compared to the people living in the north.
Location of your kitchen:
The location of your kitchen is another thing that you will have to keep in mind while choosing the size of your AC for your 900 sq ft home. The kitchen usually produces a lot of heat due to the cooking and use of various cooking appliances.
So, if your room is near the kitchen, then you will need to purchase a bigger AC in order to keep your home cool.
Air Conditioner Cost for 900 sq ft:
Air Conditioner Cost for 900 sq ft have been discussed below –
AC price:
Depending on the size and type of AC that you will be purchasing for your home, it may cost you around 350$ – 1200$. Portable Air Conditioners are comparatively cheaper than other air conditioners that are available on the market.
They may cost around 350$ – 700$ depending on availability and features.
A Window air conditioner may cost you around 450$ – 700$. The price will vary based on the features and energy efficiency that it can provide. Other air conditioners are also available in the market, which may cost around 400$ – 1300$.
Running cost:
The running cost is around 0.16$ – 0.25$ per hour based on the cooling capacity of the air conditioner. This cost will vary based on the location you are living as energy costs vary from place to place.
If you use a higher cooling capacity air conditioner, it may cost you more to run it.
Along with the running cost, you may include the maintenance cost. This is a yearly cost that you may keep in mind. It may cost you around 20$ – 50$ on average, depending on the AC model.
Final thoughts
The recommended size of the AC is 1.5 tons or 18100 BTU for any 900 sq ft place. But this may vary based on the geographical region, access to sunlight in the place, number of people and many more. The size may change up to 22000 BTU or 1.75 tons based on the condition of your place.