With so many different specifications and numbers on AC models, it can be difficult to tell what everything means. When you’re purchasing a new unit or researching a possible upgrade, you want to be able to know all the options that are available to you. If you’ve been searching for a machine and wonder, “What does 2 ton air conditioner mean?”, then keep reading this article.
What Does a Ton Mean?
Whenever someone hears “ton”, they often believe it’s a unit of weight. This can get extremely confusing when looking at air conditioning units as it does not reflect the weight but rather the rate of heat transfer.
The term ton, in this context, refers to the melting rate of ice at 32°F. So one ton of ice
(2,000 pounds) takes 286,000 BTUs to melt it completely. If that ice block melts evenly over the day (this would exclude other variables that could make it melt faster or slower) it would absorb heat at around 12,000 BTU per hour. For context, a BTU stands for British Thermal Units and 1 BTU has the equivalent heat production of a lit match if it’s allowed to burn all the way down.
In short, the ton system refers to how much heat is absorbed by your machine, and therefore how quickly your home is cooled.
How Much More Heat Does a 2 Ton Air Conditioner Absorb?
So what exactly does a 2 ton air conditioner mean? This is when the machine will be able to absorb heat at a faster rate than a 1- or 1.5-ton machine. However, if you want to understand the exact calculations and measurements for these units, then we’ve worked it out for you below.
Through understanding the calculation for a 1-ton unit, we can work out how much a 2-ton machine would absorb. To work out the BTU per hour from a 2-ton machine all you need to do is multiply 12,000 BTU by 2 which equals 24,000 BTU per hour.
Should I Choose a 2 Ton AC for My Home?
Even though a 2-ton air conditioner absorbs heat faster, that does not mean it’s the right fit for your home. If your property is on the smaller side, then there will be less air to cool anyway. This means that buying a higher tonnage machine may not be useful to you as you’ll constantly be turning it on and off instead of keeping your home at a consistent temperature. Not to mention the fact that the fluctuations in power consumption from doing this could affect your bills dramatically.
However, if you have a larger home, then going for something above 2-tons may be the answer. It’s all dependent on the size of your home and how much space you have to fill with cool air.
How Much Does a 2-Ton Machine Cost?
Finding an efficient and high-quality machine can equate to a cost of anywhere between $600-$1000. These are brand new models and would be top of the range for their ton specification. There may be cheaper options available if you choose to search for second-hand options.
It’s always handy to check out old stock from stores as they may have 2-ton AC units at a lower cost and will still fit them for you. One of the cons of finding a second-hand AC unit from another civilian is that you would have to fit it yourself or hire someone to fit the machine for you.
