What Size AC Unit For 1000 Square Foot House? (Top 2 Picks)
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The size of the AC in your house will control the comfort of your house.
You need a proper air conditioning system that keeps you feeling fresh and cozy at any corner of your house.
If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, you may be wondering what size ac unit you need for a 1000 square foot house.
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, there are a few things you can consider to help you make a decision.
What size ac unit for 1000 square foot house?
In general, for a 1000 sq ft house, you will need a 1.5-2 ton ac unit. This will vary depending on climate, the age and insulation of your home, as well as the number of windows and other sources of heat loss.
Ceiling Height | Direct Sunlight | AC Unit Size (Ton) | Recommended Brands |
---|---|---|---|
8 Feet | No | 1.5 Ton | DELLA Wifi Enabled Mini Split Air Conditioner |
8 Feet | Yes | 2 | Cooper & Hunter 17 SEER Ductless Mini Split AC/Heating System |
How to decide which is the best AC unit size for your house?

Get a very good idea of the square foot of your house. See if it approximately measures up to 1000 feet or if it is a little less or more than that.
Now, you need to do a simple calculation before getting your AC unit.
BTU is an important factor. You need to figure out how much BTU do you need to cool your house evenly
The standard ceiling height is 9 feet above the ground. The BTU is determined by considering the size of the place, the ceiling height, and the area.
Therefore, BTU per hour gives you an idea about what AC unit size you should get for your home.
Let’s say you need 20 BTU per square foot of the house. Therefore for a 1000-foot house, you would need an AC with 20,000 BTU.
A typical 20,000 BTU AC unit weighs about 1.67 tons.
To summarize:
1 square feet = 20 BTU
1000 square feet = 20,000 BTU
12000 BTU = 1 ton
20,000 BTU = 1.67 tons
Is the square foot of the house the only thing to consider to picking an AC unit?

You must consider the climate of your territory. Is your city or town cloudy, sunny, cold, or windy?
If the weather stays hot most times of the year, getting an AC unit for 2 tons is highly recommended.
In case you have a cooler climate, a 1.5-ton AC unit size would be sufficient.
A hot climate will not let an AC with a small capacity to evenly cool your 1000-foot house. The heat outside will affect the cooling of your house.
In case of living in a cold climate, you do not need a powerful AC unit to cool your 1000-square-foot house.
An average AC unit will help you keep you feeling cool all day long.
What Type Of AC Unit Is Best Suited For Your 1000-Foot Home?

There are three types of AC units.
- Ductless mini-split AC unit
- Portable AC unit
- Central AC unit
If you want to keep most of your space cool, you can buy a ductless mini-split AC unit. These units come with wall-mounted air handlers for each room.
The temperature of each room can be controlled and monitored through these. They are very good for houses with standard spacings.
Portable AC units can evenly cool your entire house. For a 1000-foot house, you need a portable AC with a higher BTU rating to get the best results. These AC units are best for small houses.
Central AC units are the best for keeping your house chilled. They are best for large houses and can cover every corner of the house with their centralized system.
AC unit type | Cooling output |
---|---|
Ductless mini-split AC unit | 1-5 tons |
Portable AC unit | 1-2 tons |
Central AC unit | 1-6 tons |
How Much Do You Need To Spend On An AC Unit For A 1000-Foot House?

The preferred choice of your AC unit will determine the total cost to set up an AC unit for your entire house. Depending on the capacity and type the prices may vary,
On average, the price is $1900 without the installation cost. The HVAC system may not be always present to facilitate the setup.
Best AC Unit For 1000 Square Foot House
1. DELLA 18000 BTU Wifi Enabled Mini Split Air Conditioner & Heater Ductless Inverter System
- [ENERGY EFFICIENT COOLING] This 18000 BTU/h, 17 SEER, 208-230V, 9 HSPF, AHRI Certified pre-charged air conditioner unit features a ductless mini split inverter plus system with a heat pump and dehumidification.
- [AMPLE COVERAGE] This unit provides cooling and heating for up to 650 square feet and is able to work in environments as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Full installation kit included.
- [SMART SENSOR] The unit will sense room temperature at the remote control, instead of at the indoor unit during cooling mode. It then adjusts airflow and temperature accordingly, resulting in the ultimate in personal comfort control and energy savings.
- [QUIET OPERATION] This air conditioner is ultra silent at only 40 dBa. The unit provides equal airflow in every part of your room and can adjust to 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit to suit your comforts in just a few minutes.
- [AUTOMATIC SYSTEM] This air conditioner is designed with several smart settings that make it easy to use: auto defrost, self-diagnosis/cleaning, I feel mode, 24 hour timer, sleep mode, eco energy saving mode, multiple fan speeds.
2. Cooper & Hunter 24,000 BTU, 230V, 17 SEER Ductless Mini Split AC/Heating System
- Cooper&Hunter Mia Series 24000 BTU 2 Ton 17 SEER Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner Heat Pump ETL Intertek Approved, AHRI Certified WiFi Ready (Additional USB adapter is required but NOT included)
- Pre-Charged with refrigerant. Works for heating with ambient temperature up to 5F°
- Ready for installation: 16FT copper line set, communication wires, and a drainage extension are included with your order.
- Whisper Technology for Quiet Operation, Great for Bedrooms, Additions,Living Rooms and Commercial Applications.
- You are well protected by a Limited 7 year warranty on the compressor, a 5 year parts warranty. Professional installation is required.
- Due to the size and the weight system is shipped palletized with an arranged freight delivery service. An appointment for delivery is required. Please, verify your contact details before ordering.
- Lift-gate service is included. Orders to a residential address are delivered only to curbside.
FAQ On AC Unit Size For 1000 Square Foot Home
What Is The Ideal AC Unit Choice For A 1000-Square-Foot House?
Ductless mini-split AC units are good enough for such spaces. They are comparatively inexpensive and efficient enough.
What Is The Average Pricing For Ductless Mini-Split AC Units For 1000 Square Foot Spacing?
It is about $2000-$5000.
What Is The Average Pricing For Portable AC Units For 1000 Square Foot Spacing?
It is about $1000.
What Is The Average Pricing For Central AC Units For 1000 Square Foot Spacing?
It is over $5000 on average.
Final Thought
Considering all the facts, you should now be able to choose an AC unit for your 1000-square-foot house.
The goal is to get the one with the best cooling output, easy installation, and energy-saving with a great lifetime.