In general, a 12000 BTU AC can cool a space that is between 500 and 600 square feet, but there are factors that influence this ratio.
Using your air conditioner (AC) strategically can help you to make it function as effectively and efficiently as possible.
This includes finding the right BTU (British Thermal Unit) to room-size ratio, even for larger 12000 BTU air conditioners. It can also be helpful to look at specific manufacturer guidelines for the ideal room size for your 12000 BTU AC.
When to use our air conditioner
An air conditioner is a welcomed appliance in most homes. These units can be used to cool down spaces on days when temperatures are scorching outside or even just as a fan on days when you need to feel a bit cooler.
However, air conditioners also need quite a lot of power to function, and this can lead to higher electricity bills.
Fortunately, newer, more modern air conditioner models are designed to be as efficient as possible, and as long as you keep your unit well-maintained and optimise your operational settings to suit your needs, you will be able to use your air conditioner all year round.
How many square feet will a 12000 BTU AC cool?
The most important factor in finding an air conditioner that is effective and suits your needs and your space is figuring out what BTU AC you need. British Thermal Units effectively tell you the cooling capacity of an air conditioner.
BTU was originally used to measure the amount of heat that is needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one-degree Fahrenheit.
Over the years, air conditioner manufacturers started using this to express how effective their air conditioner models were at removing hot air from a room.
As a general rule, a higher BTU means a more powerful air conditioner, which should naturally be used in a larger size room, as there will be more hot air to remove and cold air to blow back into the space.
When you get into detailed specifications though, a 12 000 BTU air conditioner is appropriate for a room that is about 500 to 600 square feet in size.
The BTU to room-size ratio is an important one, as using an AC that is too small or too big for your space can negatively impact the effectiveness and energy efficiency of your AC.
This is why it is vital that you look at the manufacturer guidelines for each specific air conditioner model, as this will help you to ensure that your AC is the right one for your room size.
There are also other factors that can skew this general guideline slightly and it is important to keep these in mind when you are shopping around.
Why the BTU to room-size ratio is important
Although the chances are slim that a room is exactly 500 or 600 square feet, it is important that you find an AC model that is designed to operate in a room as close to your room-size as possible.
This means that if you were to use a 6000 BTU AC in a 500 square feet space, this air conditioner will not have the right capacity and it will need to work extra hard to cool down the air in such a large space.
This results in more wear and tear to your components, and a shorter lifecycle for your unit.
However, if you were to use a too-large 24000 BTU AC in a 500 square foot space, the unit would end up using more electricity than is necessary. This, in turn, will lead to higher electricity bills.
Manufacturer guidelines for specific 12000 BTU ACs
Manufacturers usually include specific guidelines in terms of room size for their AC models, such as these 12000 BTU AC models:
12000 BTU air conditioner model | Type of air conditioner | Price | Ideal room size | Available on Amazon |
Keystone KSTAW12CE | Window AC | $449.99 | Up to 550 square feet | |
Buy it | ||||
SereneLife SLACHT128 | Portable AC | $370.49 | Up to 450 square feet | |
Buy it | ||||
Midea MAW12R1BWT | Window AC | $449 | 450 to 550 square feet | |
Buy it | ||||
Ivation IVAPACWIFI12K | Portable AC | $489.99 | Up to 450 square feet | |
Buy it |
This shows you how much specific models can differ from the general guideline about the BTU to room-size ratio.
Other factors that can influence the BTU to room-size ratio
Although the general guidelines state that you should have about 20 BTUs for every square foot of space, there are factors that can influence this ratio, such as:
- Rooms with higher ceilings have more air and need more BTUs
- Areas where the climate is particularly hot and humid need more BTUs
- Rooms that are well-insulated need less BTUs