If you need a new air conditioner, you may think that the best way to ensure a cool, comfortable home is to purchase a larger unit than you actually need. This is not actually the case. In fact, the installation of an air conditioner that's too big for your home will cause a wide variety of problems for you. Read on to learn just five of the problems you face when your air conditioner is too big for your home.
1. You'll Spend More on Your Cooling Bills
During the summer, you know that you spend more money on your electric bill, especially when the heat requires you to run your air conditioner around the clock. However, if you have an oversized air conditioner installed in your home, you'll spend even more on your summer utility bills because an oversized air conditioner works harder to cool down your home. Unfortunately, those elevated electric bills may not result in a cooler home.
2. You'll Experience Increased Humidity
If humidity is already a problem where you live, the last thing you want is for your air conditioner to generate even more. When you have the right size air conditioner in your home, the system runs long enough to remove most of the excess humidity from the air. However, when you have an oversized air conditioner, the system will only run for a few minutes at a time.
Unfortunately, that's not nearly long enough to remove the humidity, which means your home will remain humid. In addition to the elevated humidity levels in your home, you'll also need to worry about mold growth. Excess humidity can cause mold to grow in your home, especially in your ducts. The only way to remove mold from your ducts is to have them cleaned professionally.
3. Your Air Conditioner Will Cycle too Often
When your air conditioner operates efficiently, each cycle will last around 7 to 10 minutes each. Anything less is considered a short cycle; anything more is a long cycle. Any time your air conditioner short cycles, you face the danger that the system will overheat. That's because the air conditioner is overworked during short cycles.
This is caused by the constant on/off sequences that your air conditioner endures. Unfortunately, an oversized air conditioner causes your system to short cycle once the initial burst of cold air is introduced into the house. If your air conditioner has short cycled since you installed the system, have your home measured for the proper size.
4. Your Home Will Have Hot Spots Throughout
If your air conditioner is too big, you'll have hot spots – or inconsistent cooling – throughout your home. Hot spots occur most often when cold air doesn't disperse through the home efficiently enough. You'll notice that some of your rooms are cool and comfortable, while others are hot and humid. Inconsistent airflow through the ducts will cause inconsistent temperatures, as well.
5. Your Air Conditioner Won't Last as Long
If you want to ensure long life for your air conditioner, choose a unit that's the right size for your home. At first glance, a larger unit may seem preferable. However, to an oversized air conditioner suffers premature wear and tear.
Part of the reason for the premature wear and tear can be attributed to the short cycle discussed previously. The end result of those short bursts of power include increased repair costs and a shortened life expectancy for your air conditioner.
If you need a new air conditioner, don't take chances with the size. An air conditioner that's too big for your home will cause considerable problems for you. Before you choose an air conditioner for your home, contact us at Always Ready Repair. We can help you choose the right size for your home.
