Air Conditioning - how much too small?

My house I bought has a 2 1/2 ton a/c and my house is 2,600 sq. ft.
I am upset that companies are allowed to put in systems that are undersized.
GRRRR!

First I read these posts to help out homeowners who whant the straight answer from HVAC pro's who have no interest in the homeowners pocketbook. I don't like scented candles or whatever else you added as a comment on your post.

The short answer to your question is you need at least 4.5 tons of A/C for your house.

Rule of thumb is 600 sqft per ton. But, there is always a but, you need a load calculation done to find out exactly what size unit you need.

Did you buy a home warranty? Did you have a home inspection?

Chris

thank you for your input!
but I am interested in my candles and free stuff that I get and others may be as well. you should not judge people.

also that is way too big! a 3 1/2 would be just right! The rule is 500 to 700 sq. ft. per ton which is based on overall construction of the house (age) and oversizing a unit is just as bad as Undersizing it. An oversize A/C will never get the humidity out of the house. I live in northern Illinois and I am a Union Sheet Metal Worker! My house is only 8 years old and does not require a 4 1/2 ton a/c!

thanks again!.......

First of all, working in the HVAC industry, 'rule of thumb' is NOT a good idea. There are many other factors besides square footage, that come into play when heating &/or cooling a home efficiently and effectively. For instance, you can take two homes with the EXACT same square footage, and they can vary in heat/cooling load requirements as much as 2 tons. Here are some of the things that a Manual J load calculation takes into consideration.

1. Overall square footage
2. Floor-to-ceiling heighth
3. Door and window openings
4. The direction the home faces
5. Tree coverage, or lack there of
6. The color of your roof (heat transferance, here)
7. Amount of insulation
8. Attic/crawlspace areas

This calculation can be performed by a licensed HVAC contractor. If the contractor refuses, look elsewhere. They obviously just want to make enough money to take that trip to Jamaica.

Also, with the big Department of Energy push that's going on, some utility companies across the US are offering either free, or reduced rate energy evaluations, that not only consist of a load calc, but also other areas where one may save energy costs on heating and cooling a structure.

*NOTE* A Manual J Load Calculation utilizes a software program, that you plug information into. This is not something that a non-licensed person can easily obtain, however, if you have a buddy in the business, he can help you there!

I Am A Union Sheet Metal Worker! I Do Hvac For A Living!!!

I Am Completely Aware Of The Rule Of Thumb Not Being Applicable To All Houses!

I Am Fully Capable Of Performing A Manual J Calculation On My House Or Any Others!!!

My, my! Someone has had too much caffeine today!

If you indeed install and service HVAC equipment for a living, then you should be aware that technical assistance is available through the distributor of the product you service and/or sell?

Not trying to start anything, here, just stating the obvious.

sorry I wanted to vent my frustration!!!

I did not need any help

and I certainly do not need technical assistance?

It's cool, I understand the frustration factor so well! :)

Most states nowadays make it a MUST for the installing contractor to provide verification of the load calculation in order to obtain a permit to install equipment...Not sure about IL, but it eventually will be everywhere. There are just too many so-called 'technicians' out there, that will install anything, just to make a sale, and don't care about their customers needs.

My apologies, if I've offended. :) Someone who's been around the block a time or two will get a 'feel' for what a structure needs! ;)

And, I would be PO'd too, to buy a house with new equipment (especially a new home!) only to find it was grossly undersized! Go get 'em!!

now you see why I posted THIS in the first place!!!

Illinois does not require a load calc but Wisconsin does! I live 10 minutes from WI. It would cut down on the fly-by-night A/C companies that are taking all the work from the Union trained people!

Hopefully, they'll get a regulation in place soon. It's sad that so many builders and homeowners alike will hire someone with the lowest price to save a buck or two. In the long run, it's gonna cost as much, maybe more even, to make things right. I'm surprised that IL doesn't have this requirement in place, to tell you the truth.

asharpedge,

Not too add to the fire, but, the websites you link in your posts are not allowed in these forums. It's a form of solicitation. I recommend you remove them before the mods do.

you have got to be kidding me!
I had read the tos b4 signing into these forums and do not recall seing anything about solicitation....I am not trying to solicit anyone.
WHATEVER!

Let's us all try to get the local juristictions to change!
And even if they don't... ASK FOR ONE when you get an A/C and/or Furnace installed! You will save alot of money in the long run!!! Because It will force the company to do the right thing. Less chance of getting ripped off!

Please read the posting policy here:

http://forum.doityourself.com/announcement.php?f=126&a=114

"DoItYourself.com Community Forums cannot be used for personal and/or commercial gain. Posts should contribute to the discussion, provide useful, helpful and/or professional advice. Posts and/or Forum Private Messages containing any type of content which provides compensation by any means and/or method through any affiliate programs, ads, advertisements, sales, referrals, solicitations, redirects, chain letters, contests, personal web sites and/or pyramid schemes, etc, are all prohibited. "

I am not soliciting!
My message is in my post not in my signature...
I mean I thought that was what a signature was for...to tell people about yourself!
GRRR....

I understand. I'm not a moderator.

I just wanted you to know they may say something.

Anyways,
The builders of my home also put in a small 2.5 ton for a 1700sqft home. I had 4 companies come out and do a manual J, and they recommened at least a 3 ton, but I got a 3.5 ton because I had plans to add on to the home.

Your problem can be easily solved.....move to Wisconsin. You claim to work on HVAC for a living....why did you buy this house in the first place then? Or, why didn't you ask for the Manual J when you were looking at the house?

I don't think anyone is trying to take work away from "union-trained" people. YOU looked at the house, YOU decided to buy it, YOU can either accept the house the way it is or YOU can replace (according to you) the system yourself...YOUR choice.

Everyone likes to vent now and again but the people that regularly visit this site are only trying to help....a good rule of thumb is to never slap the hand that's trying to help you. If you are as good as you say you are, it should be relatively easy to prove the system is undersized and force the builder to install a new, proper system.

Now, log off, take a whiff of your candles, log back in and ask for advise!

By the title of your thread it appears you are asking a question on "How much too small?" and then you attack other members trying to help you. This is not a venting forum it is for people that need help.