Air conditioner equipment power in the U.S. is often described in terms of "tons of refrigeration." A "ton of refrigeration" is defined as the cooling power of one short ton (2000 pounds or 907 kilograms) of ice melting in a 24-hour period. This is equal to 12,000 BTU per hour, or 3517 watts.[13] Residential central air systems are usually from 1 to 5 tons (3 to 20 kilowatts (kW)) in capacity. To determine the correct size keep in mind that 12,000 BTU's equals 1-ton. Use the table below to determine the size AC that you need. Hope this helps. Area To Be Cooled (square feet) Capacity Needed (BTUs per hour) 100 to 150 5,000 150 to 250 6,000 250 to 300 7,000 300 to 350 8,000 350 to 400 9,000 400 to 450 10,000 450 to 550 12,000 550 to 700 14,000 700 to 1,000 18,000 1,000 to 1,200 21,000 1,200 to 1,400 23,000 1,400 to 1,500 24,000 1,500 to 2,000 30,000 2,000 to 2,500 34,000
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Air conditioner equipment power in the U.S. is often described in terms of "tons of refrigeration." A "ton of refrigeration" is defined as the cooling power of one short ton (2000 pounds or 907 kilograms) of ice melting in a 24-hour period. This is equal to 12,000 BTU per hour, or 3517 watts.[13] Residential central air systems are usually from 1 to 5 tons (3 to 20 kilowatts (kW)) in capacity. To determine the correct size keep in mind that 12,000 BTU's equals 1-ton. Use the table below to determine the size AC that you need. Hope this helps. Area To Be Cooled (square feet) Capacity Needed (BTUs per hour) 100 to 150 5,000 150 to 250 6,000 250 to 300 7,000 300 to 350 8,000 350 to 400 9,000 400 to 450 10,000 450 to 550 12,000 550 to 700 14,000 700 to 1,000 18,000 1,000 to 1,200 21,000 1,200 to 1,400 23,000 1,400 to 1,500 24,000 1,500 to 2,000 30,000 2,000 to 2,500 34,000