There are many factors, like the type, size and energy-efficiency to consider in order to find the appropriate air conditioner for your 2100 square foot home.
Central air conditioning and ductless mini-split air conditioning systems work well when you want to cool down large spaces.
To cool a 2100 square foot home, you need at least a 3.5 ton air conditioner, but there are many different factors to take into account to find the right model for your home.
Whole-home air conditioning systems
If you want an air conditioning system that works throughout your entire home, a central air conditioner or a ductless multi-split system would likely be the best option.
Central air conditioners and ductless mini-split air conditioners work in a similar way. These systems both have an indoor air-handling unit that is responsible for taking in the hot air from your room, and an outdoor unit that houses the compressor.
It is also used for venting and draining any latent heat and excess moisture that is left over from the air conditioning process.
Air conditioner for a 2100 square foot home
Regardless of which type of system you end up choosing, installing a whole-home air conditioning system is a big investment in your home and it is imperative that you get it right on the first try.
There are many things to consider in order to find the appropriate air conditioner for your home, but the most important consideration is figuring out what size air conditioner you need to have the right cooling capacity to cool down your home.
The cooling capacity or “size” of an air conditioner is measured in BTU or British Thermal Unit. The general rule of thumb is that you need about 20 BTU for every square foot of space in your home.
This means that if you have a 2100 square foot home, you need about 42000 BTU of cooling capacity in your air conditioner.
To make it easier, when you are dealing with such large air conditioners and spaces, it can be good to remember that every 12000 BTU is the equivalent of one ton in larger air conditioner models. This means that you need a 3.5 ton air conditioner for a 2100 square foot space.
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However, when you are installing a whole-home air conditioning system, your calculations may not be as simple since there are several factors about your home and area that you need to consider.
When you are trying to find the right air conditioner for your 2100 square foot home, it is vital that you do not undersize or oversize your unit, as this can cause problems later on and you should be aware of the energy usage levels of large, whole-home air conditioning systems.
Factors that can influence the cooling capacity of your air conditioner
Although the rule of thumb suggests that a 3.5 ton air conditioner is sufficient for a 2100 square foot home, there are many factors that can influence the required cooling capacity of an air conditioner and this means that you may need to look at models that are slightly larger or smaller than 3.5 tons, based on the following variables:
| Reasons why you may need a larger air conditioner | Reasons why you may need a smaller air conditioner |
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Why you should not oversize or undersize your air conditioner
Although it may seem like the considerations are overwhelming, it is crucial that you find an air conditioner that is appropriately sized for your space to prevent short-cycling or ineffective cooling.
An undersized unit will not have the capacity to cool your entire home, whilst an oversized unit will cool your home too quickly and will thus start short-cycling, which can damage the unit’s electrical components.
Why the energy-efficiency of an air conditioner matters
Air conditioners use a lot of power to start and run. In larger whole-home units for 2100 square foot homes, this electricity can add up and can end up costing you a lot of money.
This is why it is vital that you look for an air conditioner that has a higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio).
A SEER-rating of above 16 is highly energy-efficient and will save you a lot of money on your electricity bill over time.