Bigger is not better: Sizing air conditioners properly

It is generally accepted that {open_quotes}the right way{close_quotes} to specify an air conditioning system is to calculate the loads and select a piece of equipment that will provide comfort to the customer in a wide variety of conditions. Unfortunately this is rarely practiced. This article describes how to size air conditioners. Topics include the following: selecting the right air conditioners fo the job; what is proper AC sizing; why are air conditioners oversized; calculating cooling loads with manual J.; sizing up the sizing calculations; selecting equipment with manual S; recommedinations for consumers; recommendations for contractors. 6 figs.