What is BTU in Air Conditioners?

What is BTU?

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. Usually, it refers to the amount of energy it takes to heat one pound (1lb) of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

But BTU can also be used to refer to air conditioners, and how much energy an air conditioner uses to remove heat from indoor air. The BTU rating will typically tell the user how much heat an air conditioner can remove within one hour.

When purchasing or hiring an air conditioner, it is really important to check the BTU to see how efficient the air conditioner will be at the job.

Hiring an air conditioner is efficient, as it means you don’t have to store it over winter when it isn’t in use, and you can hire a top-of-the-range model which is energy efficient without the big price tag.

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What is BTU in heating?

BTU will also be referred to if you’re choosing a new radiator or heater.

In this case, BTU refers to the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.

Why is choosing the correct BTU important?

You don’t want to pick a BTU which is too low, as it will struggle to clear the warm air from the room. This will only increase your electricity bill, as it takes longer to do the job.

Likewise, don’t choose a BTU which is too high for the sake of it. Contrary to belief, this won’t cool your room quicker; it just means the humidity can’t be removed at the correct rate, and it can put a strain on the system.

A higher BTU can do the job more efficiently than a lower BTU, but don’t go to the extremes.

How can I choose the correct BTU for the room?

To calculate the BTU needed, multiply the area’s floor square footage by 25.

To find the floor square footage, measure the room in feet and then multiply the room’s length times the width.

An average living room in the UK is 16 x 20ft = 320 ft².

320 x 25 = 8,000.

This means you need a unit with around 8,000 BTU output for this living room.

Incorporating other factors

You’re not necessarily finished there. While the above is a guide, you also need to take into account your particular room layout and conditions.

• Add 10% to the BTU rating if your room has high sun exposure
• Remove 10% off the BTU rating if your room is very shaded
• Increase the BTU by around 4,000 BTU if the air conditioner will be used in a room with ovens and other hot appliances
• If there will be more than two people in the room for a prolonged time, add 600 BTU onto the average per person

Additionally, features like a ceiling lower than the average of 8ft may mean you need less BTU. An open plan downstairs floor level will need high BTU, but you will also need to consider the positioning correctly. Place it nearer the area in use.

Most homes now have double-glazed windows. But if yours are still single-glazed, you may get away with slightly lower BTU for cooling products but need higher for heating products.

So, while 8,000 BTU may be ideal for your room, you may actually need something around 9,000 BTU if in a family room, or if your room has big windows in direct sunlight.

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