What size AC do I need for a 2000 sq ft house? A 2000 sq ft house generally requires a 3 to 3.5 ton AC unit (36,000 to 42,000 BTUs) to cool your home's space effectively.
The typical 2,000-square-foot home will need a central AC unit that is around 3 tons or 36,000 BTU. The larger an AC system is, the more it will cost.
Larger unit may be more efficient (larger condensers generally are), but make sure you don't oversize it. If the unit is oversized it'll cycle more frequently, which is hard on it. Oversized can also cause some issues with humidity if you have any outside air connections.
However, the truth is an oversized system will not do a better job of cooling the house or provide any extra comfort over a properly sized unit. Air conditioner size is calculated in BTU (British Thermal Units) and tons, and measures how much heat the system can remove from the home in one hour.
Average New AC Unit Costs
The average cost of installing a new central air conditioner in 2024, including equipment and labor costs, is $5,750 for a 3-ton unit in a 2,000-square-foot home. On average, a new AC unit cost will fall between $3,300 and $7,800.
Since an oversized AC is too powerful for your home, it will quickly cool your home then shut off, which can raise your energy bills and wear out your AC (from all the starts and stops).
An undersized HVAC system can lead to various problems, including short cycling, inability to reach the desired temperature, high energy bills, and increased humidity levels.
An oversized AC system can be just as bad for your home as having one that isn't big enough. You may think a larger unit means your home cools quicker or could save you money on electric bills. Unfortunately, neither is true, and it can cost you more in the long run.
How much does a 3-ton AC unit cost? The installation costs for a 3-ton air conditioning system generally range between $4,451 and $8,099. However, air conditioner prices vary depending on factors like an HVAC system's type and energy efficiency rating.
3 tons: 1501-1800 sq. ft. 3.5 tons: 1801-2100 sq. ft.
For a 2000 sq ft house, you generally need an air conditioner with a capacity of about 36,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units), which is equivalent to a 3-ton unit. However, this is a rough estimate and the exact size can vary based on factors like insulation quality, window sizes, ceiling height, and local climate.
Every air conditioner ton can efficiently cool around 500 square feet of a home. Depending on the system's model, this estimated square footage can be slightly more. This being said, a 3-ton AC system is a reasonably sized unit for a 2,000-square-foot home.
1,600-1,800 square feet: Look for an AC unit with 27,000 BTUs (2.25 tons) for effective cooling. 1,800-2,000 square feet: A 30,000 BTUs (2.5 tons) unit is ideal for this square footage. 2,000-2,200 square feet: For homes of this size, a 33,000 BTUs (2.75 tons) AC will provide the best cooling.
Neither oversizing nor undersizing your AC unit is ideal. Both scenarios can lead to issues with efficiency, comfort, and longevity of the system. Oversizing: If your AC unit is too large for your home, it will cycle on and off frequently, leading to inefficient operation and increased energy bills.
There are several reasons this can happen, such as improper thermostat placement, newer addition to the home, slab construction, or not enough supply and return vents. It is also common to have trouble spots if you have two stories, a finished basement, or an open floor plan.
The idea that more is always better does not apply to air conditioning systems. In fact, having too much refrigerant in a cooling system can be just as detrimental as having too little. This is because an overcharged system puts extra strain on the equipment, ultimately leading to damage and a shorter lifespan.
How much value does a new HVAC unit add to your home? A new HVAC unit typically adds about $2,500 to $3,000 to the value of your home or about 5% to 7% of your home's value. Since a new unit can cost up to or more than $10,000 to install, it's up to you to decide if the upfront cost is worth the added value.
Higher Utility Bills
A bigger unit simply gobbles more power than a smaller one. To make matters worse, your oversized air conditioner will likely never reach its promised level of energy efficiency. Just as it is cycling up to its most efficient level, the thermostat will tell it to shut off again.
You Have an Oversized AC
If the AC unit is too big for your house, it quickly cools the rooms and shuts off. The system will keep turning on and off frequently, and these short cycles prevent good air circulation. The moist air will then condense on the coils and freeze up.
HVAC Pro Cost
Most people pay $500 to $2,500 in labor for AC replacement.
Homeowners insurance covers HVAC systems when the damage is a result of a covered disaster or peril, including high winds, fallen trees, theft, hail or even a fire. So if lightning strikes your unit and damages its electrical components, your homeowners insurance policy would probably cover it.