Home Garden
What kind of air conditioning unit do I need for a 500sq.foot room with 12′ ceilings?
Question : What kind of air conditioning unit do I need for a 500sq.foot room with 12′ ceilings?
hello friends,
I am opening up a small store and I need to put a ductless air-con unit in there.
The space is 500 square feet, 12 foot ceilings, with a flat roof on top, concrete floors and brick walls. I also have a few appliances in the store that will give off a little heat.
I’ve been talking to air cond people and getting recommendations for all kinds of units. Some say I have to use a commercial unit, some say I can get away with a high powered residential unit.
I’d like to keep my costs down, so i’m trying to figure out a way to keep the store cool without spending a fortune. I’m thinking about using ceiling fans along with an air con…
Any help would be MUCH appreciated.
thanks!
commercial ceiling fans
Best answer:
Answer by dk
While you’re shopping, take a good look at the energy efficiency ratings on the different units. Keep in mind that over time, you’re probably going to spend more powering the unit than you will buying the unit. Spending a little more up front could end up saving you a lot of money down the road.
Try the calculator at the first link below (it is an estimate and will not be as exact as a contractor’s calculation). Read the footnote at the bottom of their web page to understand the other factors that could affect cooling requirements.
That should give you an idea of which quotes are in the right ballpark as far as the size of the unit goes. You would be well-advised to look at the efficiency of the unit as your operating costs are an important consideration. Also know that it is not a good idea to oversize the unit. There are a number of problems, described in the second link below that occur when you oversize a unit.
That should give you enough information to calculate the total cost of owning and operating the unit over it’s useful life. You can then use the information to determine the least cost alternative that will get the job done.
As for whether a commercial or residential unit is required… if it’s a small store, either would work provided you can get a unit with the BTU rating and efficiency you need.