BTU Calculator
How To Calculate BTU For Air Conditioner?
To calculate the BTU (British Thermal Unit) needed for an air conditioner, follow these steps:
1. Measure the Room Size:
Measure the length and width of the room to determine its area in square feet.
Formula:
Room Area (sq ft)=Length (ft)×Width (ft)
2. BTU Formula
The standard guideline is to allocate about 20 BTUs per square foot of the room.
Formula:
BTU=Room Area (sq ft)×20 BTU per sq ft
For example:
if the room is 10 feet by 12 feet:
Room Area=10×12=120 sq ft
BTUs=120×20=2400 BTU
Other Factors:
- Sunlight: If the room is sunny, increase the BTUs by 10%.
- Occupancy: Add 600 BTUs for each additional person beyond the first two people.
- Appliances: Add extra BTUs for heat-generating appliances in the room (e.g., 400 BTUs for a stove).
The BTU calculation typically focuses on the floor area (length × width) rather than the room’s height because most residential and commercial spaces have a standard ceiling height, usually ranging from 8 to 10 feet.
This standardization allows for a simplified approach to calculating cooling requirements, as the variation in room height is usually not significant enough to warrant a more complex formula for most applications.