Are you searching the market for a new air conditioning system? Then it is very important to have a professional HVAC company involved in the process from the very beginning. This would be beneficial not just for the HVAC system’s installation but also for you to have the correct unit size for your home. Although you must have heard the expression “bigger is better.” While this may be true for some pieces of equipment, it is not true for air conditioners. Selecting the wrong size may lead to many air conditioner problems that are not easily fixed. Below we have explained why an oversized air conditioner is a serious problem.
The Importance of Proper AC Sizing
Proper AC sizing is crucial for optimal cooling efficiency and comfort. If the AC system is too small or undersized, it will have to run constantly to reach the set temperature and sufficiently cool your home.
An accurately sized air conditioning unit ensures effective temperature regulation while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption or inadequate cooling. Incorrect sizing may lead to frequent breakdowns, increased energy bills, and discomfort. Professional assessment and sizing based on space and usage are essential for efficient AC performance.
Problems With an Oversized Air Conditioner
Unfortunately, many homeowners end up purchasing an HVAC system that’s often too large for their homes to handle. A large air conditioner unit presents several problems that can be a nuisance. As a result, it can cause you to replace the unit years before its due time. Problems with an oversized air conditioner can affect your family for many years. Moreover, it can be costly to replace or fix. If the air conditioner is too small, it will not provide the cooling that your home needs. If it is too large, it causes its own set of problems such as:
Increase In Your Energy Bills
An oversized AC will often cool your home fast and then shut off. This does not only wear out your AC components, but it can raise your energy bills too. An AC has several motors and all these motors draw in more power when they start up as compared to when they are running. So if your AC is turning on and off frequently, the motors in your AC are using more power than they should. This consequently raises your energy bills.
So, if you’ve noticed an increase in your energy bills, you may have an oversized air conditioner.
Increased Humidity
An air conditioner cools the air in your home. It also is responsible to suck out the moisture and humidity from the house. To remove the moisture, the air has to pass over an evaporator coil, which is a very cold surface. When the air passes over that coil, the air temperature can drop by as much as 20°F. When the coil’s temperature is below the air’s dewpoint, water vapor condenses on the coil’s surface.
However, if you have an oversized air conditioner installed, the air conditioning unit makes the room cool faster. As a result, it runs for a shorter time than an air conditioner that has been properly sized does. This means the water doesn’t condense on the coil and is carried back into the room. So although your room may be cooler, an oversized air conditioner results in that sticky feeling. Thus it can be very uncomfortable for the inhabitants of the house.
Reduced Air Quality
Due to the increased level of moisture produced by a large air conditioner, the air quality in your home can deteriorate. This can be a big problem for anyone with asthma or any other respiratory disease.
Mold And Dust Mites Growth
The growth of mold is also a reason why an oversized air conditioner is a serious problem. If the humidity level is high, it will be easier for dust mites and mold to grab a foothold in your home.
Noisy AC Unit
A properly sized air conditioner makes very little noise or most often runs silently. If your air conditioner sounds like a freight train when it turns on. That’s a sure sign the air conditioning unit is too big for the space. After all, You do not want to spoil the pleasure of your cool house on a warm summer’s day by having to listen to a very noisy air conditioning unit.
Short Cycling Challenges
An oversized HVAC unit blasts your home with cool air instead of cooling it down gradually. These continuous temperature swings prompt your HVAC system to start up and shut down in rapid succession. This is a condition commonly known as “short cycling”.
Short cycling can wreak havoc on your HVAC system if left unchecked. The constant and abrupt starting and stopping can add unexpected wear and tear to the compressor, blower fan motor, and other HVAC components.
Moisture Effects on Your Home
Since a large air conditioner unit does not remove enough moisture and humidity from the air, the moisture is left behind. This accumulated moisture can have very serious consequences for your home. It can affect your home furniture, wood, walls, paint, etc.
Related: How do you Size a Commercial HVAC System
How Do You Know If You Have an Oversized Air Conditioner?
There are a few things that serve as a clear indication that you have an oversized air conditioner installed at your home:
- If you witness your wall paint beginning to peel in rooms where it feels particularly sticky, you should consult an HVAC technician. They will evaluate if the problem is an oversized air conditioner.
- Moreover, if you’re sneezing or coughing a lot when the air conditioning is on, this could be another sign.
- If someone in your home has asthma and you notice their breathing problems aggravate when the air-conditioning is running.
The best way is to have a professional HVAC company inspect your home. They will evaluate and diagnose the issue and will provide you with an honest opinion about the cooling power of your system.
How Our HVAC Company Can Help?
Now that you have understood why an oversized air conditioner is a serious problem, contact Alturas HVAC contractors to solve this issue for you. Our HVAC company has been in the business of providing quality HVAC air conditioning installation and HVAC repair services in Los Angeles. We have a database of satisfied customers as we are the contractors you can count on.
If you’re building and installing a new one or are facing oversized AC unit problems, we are here at your service. It is very important to us that you have the proper-sized HVAC air conditioning unit in your home. Our HVAC technicians make sure all of our customers have equipment that works efficiently and effectively all year long.
FAQs
How to correct an oversized air conditioner?
Talk to a professional about adding ductwork: In some cases, installing additional air ducts to a portion of your home that isn’t air-conditioned (like the garage, for instance) can disperse the excess air of an oversized system. You’ll want to get an opinion from your trusted AC technician for this one.
Replace the air conditioner: This might not be what you want to hear, but sometimes the best option is to replace the system. While it is an expensive choice, when your home is comfortable and your energy costs are reasonable, you’ll be glad you made this decision.
