Optimizing Cooling in Small Spaces

Window air conditioners offer a reliable cooling solution to small spaces. They come in a range of sizes and BTU ratings, but the best choice for most people is a model with a 5,000-BTU rating.

The wrong sized AC will cycle on-and-off too frequently and won’t reduce room humidity adequately. It will also consume more energy than necessary.

Ceiling Fan

Using fans in combination with an air conditioner can make a significant difference in cooling your small space. Using fans to pull cool air into the room and then using an air conditioner to push hot air out can create a more efficient cooling system and reduce your energy costs.

A 5,000 BTU unit should be sufficient for most rooms up to 150 square feet, depending on the amount of sunlight the room gets and the amount of insulation in the walls and ceiling. A higher ceiling will require more BTUs to keep the room comfortable, while a room facing north requires less BTUs than one in the south.

This window air conditioner is a perfect solution for cooling small spaces like bedrooms, home offices or living rooms. Its quiet operation makes it ideal for use at night, while the reusable filter can be easily cleaned to maintain the machine’s durability. The convenient rotary dials allow for easy temperature adjustment and two-way air direction control.

Oscillating Fans

As temperatures soar this summer, it’s important to feel cool and comfortable at home or in the office. Fans are an effective way to circulate the air and boost cooling power. But where to place them can make all the difference.

Consider the layout of your space and how it’s used before selecting a fan or creating a placement plan. If you have a room with multiple doors, it’s best to place the fan somewhere that will distribute cool air evenly throughout the space. A bedroom or single door office would benefit from a fan located close to the bed or desk area, for example.

Consider factors like the amount of sunlight entering the space, ceiling height and the typical number of occupants for a more accurate BTU sizing calculation. Also, be sure the fan isn’t obstructed by furniture or clutter as it will perform less effectively. A tower fan is a great choice for many spaces since it has a small footprint and tall cooling area that can be positioned in different areas of the room to optimize airflow.

Air Curtains

5000 BTU air conditioners are a great choice for small spaces because they can cool a room quickly and efficiently. However, you should not leave them running all day because your energy bills will be sky high.

Using an air curtain to separate a heated or refrigerated interior space from outside air keeps the air within the building warm in winter and cool in summer while providing very light energy use. Many commercial air curtain suppliers have calculators on their websites that show purchase price versus energy savings and how fast an investment in an air curtain will pay for itself.

Studies show that employees perform better when they are comfortable. Air curtains prevent outside temperatures from influencing indoor air quality and help keep staff and customers at a temperature that is ideal for their comfort level. This boosts productivity, efficiency and satisfaction levels. It also reduces the need to constantly open and close doors, which helps to protect against unauthorized access.

Wall Mounted Units

If you have a small space and want better efficiency than window ACs, consider a wall-mounted unit. These units are also a great option for cooling or heating specific rooms without having to install and maintain an entire central HVAC system. Many of these systems, such as those manufactured by Carrier and Lennox, even act as heat pumps, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of both air conditioning and heating in one convenient package.

You can also purchase a through-the-wall air conditioner, which will fit in a precisely framed hole in the exterior of your home inside a containment sleeve, to maximize cooling efficiency. This type of unit also blows air over coolant coils to reduce humidity and expels warm air outside. These AC units typically have a higher SEER rating than standard window air conditioners. However, you will still need to carefully calculate your room’s load size to ensure the proper cooling capacity. This will help avoid energy inefficiency and comfort problems.