Air Conditioner Size: 2 Lessons You Can Learn from Goldilocks and the 3 Bears

Well, Goldilocks can actually teach you something about finding a new air conditioner (if we overlook her minor breaking and entering.) Here are 2 lessons you can learn from this old fairy tale.

Everyone’s air conditioning needs are different

In the story, Goldilocks tries the bears’ porridge, chairs, and bed. The first two bowls of porridge are too hot or too cold. She then eats the little bear’s porridge because it is “just right.”

The same happens later when she is looking for somewhere to take a nap. The first bed is too hard, the second too soft and the last one “just right.”

How it applies to air conditioner size

Every home is different. There are homes of different sizes, shapes, layouts, etc. These require different sized air conditioners and furnaces.

Also, what is too big or too small for your home might be “just right” for your neighbours, just like what was too hot or too cold for Goldilocks was just the way the bears liked their porridge.

Bigger is not always better, but too small is bad, too

When Goldilocks tries out the three bears’ chairs, the first one is much too big. The second one is also too big. Then she gets to a chair she thinks is just right – and it breaks! It was too small to hold her weight.

How it applies to air conditioner size

Some might call Goldilocks picky. But you must be the same way when looking for an air conditioner for your home. Find one that is just right, not too big or too small. Here’s why.

Air conditioners that are too big:

• Use more energy
• Cycle on and off more frequently
• Won’t cool your home evenly

Air conditioners that are too small will:

• Run constantly
• Struggle to keep your home cool on the hottest days
• Increase your energy use

So how do I know what size air conditioner I need?

You can get an idea of the size air conditioner you need by looking at the size of your current air conditioner. (Air conditioners are usually measured in tons of cooling capacity.) But your current air conditioner may be over or undersized, so it’s not a reliable method.

Your best bet is to call a professional air conditioning company for a free estimate. They can look at the size of your home and its cooling needs and ask you about your energy bills to determine the size of your air conditioner you need.

Cool Today is committed to answering Florida homeowner’s questions and providing unmatched air conditioning, heating and air quality service. Have a question for us? Ask our experts.