Americans like bigger. Nothing makes us drool more than a bigger SUV, a bigger stadium or a bigger sandwich. Bigger mean status, bigger means more value, bigger is just better, right? Not in the air conditioning industry, it’s a big no, no and a common problem we see in the field. Here’s why:
- Bigger moisture –Part of “conditioning” air in order to create a comfortable environment is removing moisture. Your AC needs to run in order to remove moisture, if its oversized it will short cycle, turn off and stop dehumidifying. In most cases, this creates discomfort; in extreme cases it can cause dangerous mold and mildew in your home.
- Bigger utility bills – The larger an air conditioner, the more expensive it is to operate. Every time the compressor starts, your electric meter turns faster. Also, a properly sized, smaller AC will power up and run for an adequate time. (Don’t freak, this is good!) Once you’ve “paid” to start it, which takes the most energy ($$$), we want to keep it running and get the most value out of that ignition. One that is too big, starts ($$$) more times than it should, costing you big bucks.
- Bigger repairs – Stay with me, you’ll see the bigger picture shortly. The oversized system is going to work harder than it’s designed to, this means it will fail more often and not “live” as long as it’s designed. That means you are going to pay more money to either repair it often or replace it sooner. A properly engineered system should last between 10-15 years. We see oversized systems failing between 7-10 years, routinely.
We engineer every new system we install, downsizing often. Trust the calculation and let us get it right!
