“BTU” stands for “British Thermal Unit”, which is used to measure thermal energy output. It takes 1 BTU to change the temperature of a pound of water at sea level by 1 degree Fahrenheit.
An air conditioner’s BTU rating reflects its overall cooling capacity. The amount of BTUs required depends on the size and layout of the space to be cooled, as well as the condition of your home’s insulation and/or ductwork.
Other factors unique to your home, such as ceiling height, the amount of sunlight or shade it receives and the number of people living in it, also need to be considered to help determine the correct size and capacity of air conditioner.
A central air system is most easily installed in a home during construction, before the drywall has gone up. For that same reason, retrofitting a central air system into a home is a much larger job than simply replacing the heating or cooling unit, since it requires building an entire network of air ducts into a finished home.
Done properly, a skilled HVAC Installer should be able to carry out this job in a minimally invasive way. For instance, ducts can be installed to run through the attic, crawlspaces and closets, rather than having to tear down walls.
During your free, in-home consultation, a Home Depot Installer will be able to determine whether and where you need to add ductwork and provide a detailed cost estimate for the work involved.
