Free Tool
What size AC do I need?
Free tonnage estimator built on ACCA Manual J methodology, calibrated for Baldwin County's Climate Zone 2A. Enter four inputs — square footage, insulation, sun exposure, ceiling height — and get a recommended tonnage range. Useful for sanity-checking quotes before scheduling a real in-home Manual J load calc.
Why right-sizing matters more than oversizing
The single most common HVAC mistake we see in Baldwin County isn't undersizing — it's oversizing. An oversized AC cools the air faster than it can remove humidity. The system short-cycles, the house feels clammy at the "right" temperature, the compressor wears out years early, and the utility bill stays high. Right-sized always beats oversized in our hot/humid climate.
When ACExperts replaces a system in Baldwin County, the new one is often the same tonnage or smaller than what was there before. That isn't a downgrade — it's the difference between a system that runs longer cycles, dehumidifies properly, and lasts 15+ years vs. one that short-cycles its way through 8 summers.
How this calculator works
Starting from a base load of 25 BTU/sqft for residential cooling in Climate Zone 2A, the calculator applies four adjustment factors:
- Insulation level: Poor adds 15%, average is baseline, excellent reduces 10%.
- Sun exposure: Heavy west/south glass adds 10%, normal is baseline, shaded reduces 5%.
- Ceiling height: 8 ft baseline, 9 ft adds 5%, 10 ft+ or vaulted adds 12%.
- Coastal location flag: doesn't change tonnage; surfaces the recommendation for coastal-grade equipment.
The output rounds to standard 0.5-ton increments (1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5) since residential equipment is sold in those steps. A real Manual J adds factors this calculator can't capture — window orientation by compass direction, infiltration rate measured with a blower door, duct gain/loss measurements, internal load from appliances and occupants, and design temperatures for your specific zip code. The difference between this calculator and a real Manual J is usually within 0.5 tons.
When to schedule a real Manual J
When you're ready to actually quote a replacement, not before. The free calculator is useful for sanity-checking a contractor's recommendation ("they want to install 4 tons but the math says 2.5 — what's going on?") or for budgeting an upcoming replacement. The real Manual J happens during the in-home consultation, takes 45-60 minutes, and costs nothing — every ACExperts replacement quote includes it.
Ready for a real load calc?
Free in-home Manual J load calculation, equipment options scoped to your house, and a written itemized quote. No salesperson math, no surprise add-ons.