Cooling
Tonnage
The unit of measurement for an air conditioning system's cooling capacity, where one ton equals the ability to remove 12,000 BTUs of heat per hour.
What Is a Tonnage?
AC tonnage has nothing to do with weight — it's a measurement of cooling power. The term dates back to when cooling was accomplished using large blocks of ice. Most residential AC systems range from 1.5 to 5 tons. The right tonnage for your home depends on square footage, insulation quality, window placement, ceiling height, and local climate conditions. A professional load calculation (Manual J) is the only way to accurately determine the correct size.
Why It Matters for Your Home
An oversized AC system will cool your home quickly but won't run long enough to properly remove humidity, leaving you feeling clammy. An undersized system will run constantly and still can't keep up on hot days. Both scenarios waste energy and money. Unfortunately, many contractors skip the load calculation and just guess — this is one of the most common installation mistakes in the industry.
Need your home properly sized for a new AC? Call Trademark Tek at 541-500-0663 for an accurate load calculation.
Quick Facts
Category
Cooling
Also Known As
Tonnage
