Air Conditioner Power Calculation Formula

Air Conditioner Power Formula:

\[ P = \frac{BTU/h}{SEER} \]

AC Power Consumption (P):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is the Air Conditioner Power Calculation Formula?

The Air Conditioner Power Calculation Formula estimates the electrical power consumption of an air conditioning unit based on its cooling capacity (BTU/h) and energy efficiency rating (SEER). This helps determine the actual wattage required for operation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power calculation formula:

\[ P = \frac{BTU/h}{SEER} \]

Where:

\( P \) — AC power consumption in watts (W)
\( BTU/h \) — British Thermal Units per hour (cooling capacity)
\( SEER \) — Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

Explanation: The formula converts cooling capacity to electrical power consumption by dividing by the efficiency rating. Higher SEER values result in lower power consumption for the same cooling output.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for proper electrical circuit sizing, energy cost estimation, and selecting appropriately sized air conditioning units for specific spaces.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter BTU/h (cooling capacity) and SEER (efficiency rating) values. Both values must be positive numbers. Typical SEER values range from 13 to 25 for modern units.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is BTU/h in air conditioning?
A: BTU/h (British Thermal Units per hour) measures the cooling capacity of an air conditioner - how much heat it can remove from a space per hour.

Q2: What does SEER represent?
A: SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures the efficiency of an air conditioner - the ratio of cooling output to energy input over a typical cooling season.

Q3: What are typical power consumption values?
A: A 12,000 BTU/h unit with SEER 14 consumes approximately 857 watts. Higher SEER units consume less power for the same cooling capacity.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a good estimate for average operating conditions. Actual consumption may vary based on temperature differences, humidity, and usage patterns.

Q5: Can this be used for sizing electrical circuits?
A: Yes, this calculation helps determine the electrical load for circuit breaker and wire sizing, though additional factors like starting current should be considered.