But it does not mean that 3 ton, for instance is the actual cooling capacity of the air conditioner.Ĭooling a house depends on many factors, not just the HVAC system in itself. This is the number that you will find on your product or one that a sales manager will use while telling you the AC capacity and features. This is also known as nameplate capacity. Nominal capacity refers to the capacity of the air conditioner that manufacturers claim their product has, when they are selling it. If you decrease the AC temperature further to combat this problem, it will raise your monthly energy bills. As a result, your Bay Area house may be cool but will still feel clammy. It also prevents the air conditioner from dehumidifying indoor air. This results in too much pressure on the system, early wear and tear, and the need for recurrent repairs. An over-sized conditioner will face short cycling (constant shutting down and restarting of the compressor). But this is not necessarily beneficial for your house. It means that it has a nominal capacity of 36,000 Btu/hr.īecause of this system, home owners often feel that a bigger AC is better as it has higher cooling capacity. So, a 3-ton AC for instance, does not actually weigh 3 tons. This refers to the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a pound of water by one degree.Īir conditioner cooling capacity is described in ‘tons.’ One ton means the rate of heat transfer needed to freeze one ton of water in 24 hours.
Let’s try to see what this value really means.Īir conditioning and heating capacities are generally measured in British Thermal Units (Btu) per hour. One may have many questions related to air conditioner weight or tonnage.
#Ac compressor 3.5 ton rebuild install
What does it mean when you install an air conditioner that is 3 tons? Is that the weight of the AC? Is that the cooling capacity? Why is it weighed in tons? Understanding how an air conditioner functions, its energy rating, cooling capacity and other factors is slightly complicated to understand especially as there as so many values and numericals involved. By jsg / in 3 Ton AC / Is your AC really 3-tons?