Quick Answer
The size of house that needs two AC units depends on several factors, including square footage, home layout, number of floors, climate and more. As a general guideline, homes over 2,500 square feet may require two AC units to cool effectively. However, it also depends on factors like if the home has multiple levels or a complex layout. Getting a Manual J load calculation by an HVAC professional is the best way to determine if a home needs one or two AC units.
What Square Footage House Needs 2 AC Units?
Here are some general square footage guidelines for when a house may need two AC units:
– 2,500 to 3,500 square feet – A two-story home or a one-story home with multiple wings/sections will likely need two units in this size range.
– 3,500 to 5,000 square feet – Most homes this size will need two units, especially if there are multiple levels.
– 5,000+ square feet – Homes over 5,000 square feet will almost always require multiple AC units for adequate cooling. Two units is very common.
However, square footage alone doesn’t determine how many AC units are needed. A sprawling one-story 2,500 sq ft home may need two units, while a compact two-story home of the same size may only require one.
Factors That Determine If a House Needs Multiple AC Units
Here are some key factors that determine whether a house should have one or two AC units:
– Square footage – As mentioned above, larger homes tend to need multiple units.
– Number of floors – Two-story and three-story homes often need separate units for each floor.
– Home layout – Homes with multiple wings, sections or a sprawling footprint may need multiple units for even cooling.
– Ceiling heights – Homes with cathedral or two-story ceilings can be harder to cool and may need extra units.
– Climate – Hotter climates require more cooling power, making multiple AC units more likely.
– Energy efficiency – Well-insulated, energy efficient homes may be adequately cooled by one larger unit.
– Personal preference – Some homeowners opt for two smaller units instead of one large one for enhanced comfort.
– Zoning needs – Separate units allow different areas of the home to be zoned for customized cooling.
One vs. Two AC Units: Pros and Cons
There are both advantages and disadvantages to cooling a home with either one single large AC unit or multiple smaller units:
One Central AC Unit
Pros:
– Lower equipment cost – One large unit costs less than multiple smaller ones.
– Simpler installation – Only one outdoor condenser to install.
– Single thermostat control is simpler.
Cons:
– Harder to cool very large houses effectively.
– No zoning – The entire house is cooled to the same temperature.
– If the unit fails, there is no backup cooling.
Two or More AC Units
Pros:
– Better cooling for larger homes.
– Zoning control – Different areas can be cooled to different temps.
– Redundancy – If one unit fails, there is still partial cooling.
Cons:
– Higher equipment cost – Multiple units cost more.
– Complex installation – Multiple indoor and outdoor units.
– Multiple thermostats can be complicated.
– More maintenance with multiple units.
Manual J Load Calculations
While the above guidelines provide a good general idea, the only way to truly determine the correct HVAC system and number of AC units for a house is to have a HVAC professional complete a Manual J load calculation.
A Manual J calculation analyzes the specific characteristics of the home that impact heating and cooling needs, including:
– Square footage of all rooms
– Home orientation and exposure to sun
– Window square footage, types and direction faced
– Insulation R-values
– House construction materials
– Occupants and appliances
– And much more
This provides an accurate cooling load for the home, letting the HVAC pro determine the correct size and number of AC units needed for optimal performance. Most HVAC companies offer Manual J calculations as part of their services.
Central vs. Split AC Systems
Homes needing multiple AC units usually install either a central system or a split system:
Central AC Systems
– Multiple evaporator coils connect to a large central outdoor condenser unit.
– Allows zoning and individual thermostats.
– Expensive to install due to ductwork for multiple air handlers.
Split AC Systems
– Self-contained systems with matched indoor and outdoor units.
– More affordable, easier install than central systems.
– Provides zoning capabilities.
– No ductwork required, so good for retrofits.
– Mini splits require only a small wall-mounted indoor unit.
For very large homes, a central system with multiple evaporator coils and air handlers allows for extensive zoning. But split systems offer a more affordable and flexible option for most homes needing multiple AC units.
Will Two AC Units Cool Better Than One Large Unit?
Installing two properly sized AC units instead of an oversized single unit can provide more consistent, even cooling. However, it depends on several factors:
– Oversized units cycle on and off frequently, leaving room temperatures fluctuating. Multiple right-sized units enhance comfort.
– Two smaller units provide redundancy. If one fails, the other provides partial cooling.
– Separate units allow zoning control, keeping different areas at customized temps.
– Multiple smaller units may cost less upfront than one huge unit.
– But installing multiple units costs more in labor than one single unit.
Many HVAC contractors recommend avoiding significant oversizing with single large units. In general, multiple properly sized units often provide the best comfort and efficiency.
What Size Central AC Unit is Needed for Square Footage?
Here are general central AC unit size guidelines based on square footage:
| Square Footage | Recommended AC Unit Size (Tons) |
| 1,000 – 1,500 sq ft | 2 – 2.5 tons |
| 1,500 – 2,000 sq ft | 2.5 – 3 tons |
| 2,000 – 2,500 sq ft | 3 – 4 tons |
| 2,500 – 3,500 sq ft | 4 – 5 tons |
| 3,500 – 4,500 sq ft | 5 – 6 tons |
| 4,500+ sq ft | 6+ tons |
However, these are just general guidelines. To properly size an AC unit, a Manual J load calculation is required. A unit that is drastically oversized will not cool effectively.
What Size Mini Split is Needed for Square Footage?
For mini split systems, here are estimates of capacity needed based on square footage:
| Square Footage | Recommended Mini Split Size (BTUs) |
| 300 – 650 sq ft | 9,000 – 12,000 BTU |
| 650 – 1,000 sq ft | 12,000 – 18,000 BTU |
| 1,000 – 1,300 sq ft | 18,000 – 21,000 BTU |
| 1,300 – 1,700 sq ft | 21,000 – 27,000 BTU |
| 1,700 – 2,200 sq ft | 27,000 – 30,000 BTU |
| 2,200 – 2,700 sq ft | 30,000 – 36,000 BTU |
For mini splits, the number of indoor heads needed depends on the layout. Multiple smaller heads spread throughout the home provide better comfort than one large unit.
Whole Home vs. Zoned AC Systems
Here is a comparison of whole home vs. zoned AC systems:
Whole Home AC
– One thermostat controls temp for entire house.
– Only one zone of control.
– Simpler and more affordable to install.
– Provides even, uniform cooling in compact homes.
Zoned AC
– Multiple thermostats allow custom temp control by area.
– Cools occupied rooms to comfort while letting unused rooms be warmer.
– Allows different temps for bedrooms, main floor, etc.
– More complex and costly installation.
– Best for larger, multi-level homes.
While zoned AC offers benefits for larger homes, single zone whole home systems are appropriate for many houses, especially smaller ones with an open floor plan.
Dual Zone AC System Options
For homes requiring just two zones, dual zone systems are a good option. Here are ways to set up dual zone AC:
– Central system with two air handlers and evaporator coils. Allows extensive zoning but is expensive.
– Two separate split AC units with matched condensers and evaporators. More affordable but limits some zoning flexibility.
– Two single zone mini split systems that allow for separate temperature control. Easy to install.
– A ductless mini split system with two indoor head units connected to one outdoor unit. Cost-effective option for dual zone cooling.
The best dual zone option depends on budget, existing ductwork, and desired zoning capabilities. A HVAC professional can advise the optimal setup.
Conclusion
Determining if a house needs one or two AC units depends on the home’s square footage, layout, climate and other factors. While guidelines based on square footage help estimate capacity needs, a Manual J load calculation provides the true cooling requirements. For optimal comfort and efficiency, avoid significant oversizing with one large AC unit. In general, two properly sized units will outperform an oversized single unit. Mini splits provide an affordable dual zone cooling option for many homes that need more than one AC unit.
