Can I buy a 2-ton split AC in place of 1-ton AC?

by Amili R. SEO

Summers are here and its high time people start looking for the right air conditioner for their home. There is a general perception among people that buying an oversized AC is a good idea and it seems OK too. However, it is better to give it a second thought before actually going and buying a big AC like 2 Ton Split AC for a space where a 1 Ton AC is sufficient. Though it may seem ok uprightly, it is actually not. Let’s find out why.

1. Comfort

There are two main jobs of an air conditioner – reduce the temperature of the air and removes moisture from the surrounding air. To work on the moisture part, the AC needs to be active for a while.

When the air blows over the evaporator coil, it faces an extremely cold surface. Preferably, when the air flows over that cold surface, the air temperature reduces by about 20° F. In regions where we have higher extreme humidity in the summer, the other major process that takes place when the air encounters the coil is that the temperature of the coil is below the dew point of the air. As an outcome, water vapor condenses on the coil.

In oversized air conditioners too, water vapor condenses on the coil, but there must be enough condensation on the coil for the water to start soaking down into the pan beneath the coil. Even then, the process is not completed. There needs to be enough water in the pan for it drain to the outside.

Till the water that condenses really makes it to the outside, you haven't actually dehumidified the air. Why? Because that water on the coil can evaporate and trail back into the air at your place. If you make the fault of leaving your thermostat in the Fan-On position rather than Auto (Don't do that!), the water on the coil gets back into the air even faster.

Oversized air conditioners don't remain active for longer periods of time because they meet the cooling load quickly and then turn off. Properly sized air conditioners run longer, so if you want your air conditioner to dehumidify your home as well as cool it, it is not a good idea to invest in an oversized air conditioner.

2. Wear and Tear

As there are hundreds of parts and equipment inside an AC that make it work. If you choose a 2 Ton AC over a 1 Ton AC, it starts up and turns off a lot more because it functions for only a short time to reach the thermostat set point. Then a few minutes later, it turns on again and runs for a short time. In a typical day, an oversized air conditioner can face a lot more start-ups and shut-downs than a right size air conditioner. That means you'll likely be repairing it frequently and replacing it sooner.

3. Money Savings

You might think that if your big-size AC will cool down your room quickly, it will turn off and save money, there’s a catch. You must save money on the upfront cost, though, because you're installing a smaller AC. There is a scope of small savings for you as the off time will be complemented by the heavy energy consumption during AC operation.