When you’re upgrading the central air conditioning unit in your home, a common notion is that the bigger the unit, the more comfortable your home will be – even on the hottest, most humid summer days. And while installing a unit that’s too small causes an array of problems, such as the unit cycling more frequently to keep your home cool, which means overworking the system and driving up your energy bills, an A/C unit that is too big can also be harmful.

5 Issues that Occur with an Oversized A/C Unit

When your air conditioning unit is too big for your home, the following issues can develop:

1. Inconsistent temperatures. When your system is oversized, the air cannot be distributed properly and you’ll notice uneven temperatures throughout your home. Short-cycling is a common problem, and when the unit keeps shutting off too quickly, some of the rooms in your home won’t get enough airflow to truly cool off.
2. Higher humidity. When your air conditioning unit runs, the humidity in the air is simultaneously removed, increasing the comfort levels in your home. However, a unit that is too big may be doing a decent job cooling off the home, but it’s not running long enough to remove the humidity completely.
3. Mold growth. Because the humidity is not being effectively removed from the air, mold can easily start growing in your home. If the humidity levels aren’t being kept below 50 percent, mold can become a real problem.
4. Less energy efficiency. A bigger air conditioning unit is not only more expensive upfront, but it will also increase your energy bills. Because the air will feel more humid, you’ll find yourself cranking down the temperatures in an attempt to keep your home comfortable. A properly sized unit may run for longer cycles, but it will be using less energy and hence, saving you money every month.
5. More frequent repairs. Excessive cycling – when the unit is constantly starting and stopping – is hard on the system and can lead to it breaking down more often. All that wear and tear could even mean the unit will have a much shorter lifespan than it should.

The Proper Size Air Conditioning Unit for Your Home

Choosing the right size central air conditioning unit for your home takes some pretty involved calculations and equations, and it’s best to let a professional HVAC technician figure that out for you. Factors like the square footage of your home, how many windows you have, the height of the ceilings, your ideal temperature and the climate you live in determine how big your central air conditioning unit should be.

Need to upgrade your air conditioning unit this summer? If you have any questions about the proper A/C unit size for your home, the team at Efficient Heating and Cooling is ready to help! If you’re in the greater Cleveland area, contact our team today! Or, give us a call at 216-663-6462.