PHOENEX ELECTRIC LLC™

Air Conditioning POI

         Its hot and getting hotter, and many of you have already purchased air conditioners (AC or cool box) and some have not.

         Did you know that there are six types of air conditioners? They are window (room), through wall (with or without chassis), portable, PTAC (Package Terminal Air Conditioner), split unit, and central air. The portable type is used in very specific situations when you are not able to install a window or through wall unit. The last three is installed by HVAC contractors. Let us focus on the first two, which are very common.

         The job of your cool box is to reduce the humidity in the room and cool it down. A cool box to large will cool the room quickly but not reduce the humidity equally, which will leave you feeling cold and uncomfortable, it also waste money.

         When purchasing an AC, there are some key points to consider.

         The room it is going in, the size of your window or wall opening is needed (width and height) and depth of through wall sleeve if you have one.

         The size of your room in square feet (length x width) is used to determine the amount of BTU’s (British Thermo Unit) needed to cool your room.

         Now that you have an idea of the amount of BTU’s you need let us consider the room conditions. If the room can be shaded, you can reduce BTU’s by 10%. If it will be sunny, increase the BTU by 10%. If it is placed in a kitchen, increase the BTU by four thousand. Do not forget to account for the number of people above two that will be in the space. For each person add six hundred BTU’s

         So you know the physical size of the cool box you can fit in your window or wall, and the BTU’s you need. Now were in the home stretch. The information below will truly be the determining factor in deciding the type of cool box you will purchase.

Voltage of your circuit (110, 120v, 220v, 240v)

Amperage of your circuit (15A, 20A, 30A)

         If you are plugging your cool box into a circuit that has other receptacles or light fixtures on it you can only use fifty percent of that circuit safely.

Example: 15A x 50% = 7 ½ A

Example: 20A x 50% = 10A

Example: 30A x 50% = 15A

         As you can see, based on this rule you may not be able to get the cool box of your dreams, but that is ok because you only need one that will cool your room size.

         If you are plugging your cool box into a circuit that does not have any other receptacles or light fixtures on it you can use eighty percent of that circuit safely.

Example: 15A x 80% = 12A

Example: 20A x 80% = 16A

Example: 30A x 80% = 24A  

         Under this rule, you are very likely to get the cool box of your dreams.

         If you have, any further questions or find yourself in need of a separate circuit for your cool box, please call your favorite licensed electrical contractor.