Heating & Cooling Equipment by BTU Range
Use these quick links to shop by BTU capacity and category. If you haven’t calculated your needs yet, start with the simple BTU calculator or the advanced BTU calculator.
Updated for 2026 equipment models and Energy Star standards.
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On this page: Cooling · Heating · Comfort · Maintenance · Weatherization · Tools · Calculators · Resources · FAQ
Cooling equipment
Window air conditioners
Not sure what size? Use the window AC calculator.
- 5,000 BTU window AC — small rooms up to 150 sq ft
- 8,000 BTU window AC — bedrooms, 150–350 sq ft
- 10,000 BTU window AC — living rooms, 350–450 sq ft
- 12,000 BTU window AC — large rooms, 450–550 sq ft
- 15,000 BTU window AC — very large rooms, 550–700 sq ft
- Browse all Energy Star window ACs →
Portable air conditioners
Not sure what size? Use the portable AC calculator.
- 8,000 BTU portable AC — small rooms, bedrooms
- 10,000 BTU portable AC — medium rooms
- 12,000 BTU portable AC — living rooms
- 14,000 BTU portable AC — large rooms, garages
- Browse all portable ACs →
Mini split systems (ductless)
Not sure what size? Use the mini split calculator.
- 9,000 BTU mini split — single room, up to ~350 sq ft
- 12,000 BTU mini split (1 ton) — bedrooms, offices, up to ~500 sq ft
- 18,000 BTU mini split (1.5 ton) — large rooms, up to ~750 sq ft
- 24,000 BTU mini split (2 ton) — open-concept, up to ~1,000 sq ft
- 36,000 BTU mini split (3 ton) — large zones, up to ~1,500 sq ft
- Multi-zone mini split systems — 2–5 indoor heads
- Browse all ductless mini splits →
Heating equipment
Heat pumps
Not sure what size? Use the heat pump calculator. Check for federal tax credits — heat pumps qualify for up to $2,000.
- Heat pump mini split systems — year-round heating + cooling
- Portable heat pump ACs — no permanent installation
Space heaters
Not sure what size? Use the space heater calculator.
- Small space heaters (energy efficient) — under desks, personal use
- 1,500W space heaters (~5,120 BTU) — standard plug-in, most rooms
- Infrared space heaters — directional warmth, quiet
- Oil-filled radiator heaters — silent, steady warmth
- Browse all space heaters →
Garage heaters
Not sure what size? Use the garage heater calculator.
- Electric garage heaters (240V unit heaters) — workshops, attached garages
- Gas garage heaters (forced air) — large or detached garages, cold climates
- Infrared garage heaters — radiant warmth, no ductwork needed
- Browse all garage heaters →
Radiant floor heating
Not sure what size? Use the radiant floor heating calculator.
- Electric radiant floor heating mats — under tile, stone, or LVP; 120V or 240V
- Radiant floor thermostats — programmable, with floor sensor
- Hydronic radiant floor tubing (PEX) — whole-home systems, new construction
- Browse all radiant floor heating →
For steady comfort, it’s usually better to seal drafts and heat loss than to oversize a portable heater. Need whole-home sizing? Use the furnace size calculator.
Comfort upgrades
Ceiling fans
Not sure what size? Use the ceiling fan calculator.
- 42″ ceiling fans — bedrooms, small rooms (75–144 sq ft)
- 52″ ceiling fans (most common) — living rooms (145–225 sq ft)
- 60″ ceiling fans — great rooms (226–400 sq ft)
- 72″ ceiling fans — very large spaces (400+ sq ft)
- Outdoor ceiling fans (wet rated) — patios, porches
- Browse all ceiling fans →
Dehumidifiers
Not sure what size? Use the dehumidifier calculator.
- 22-pint dehumidifiers — small areas, closets
- 35-pint dehumidifiers — medium rooms
- 50-pint dehumidifiers (Energy Star) — large rooms, basements
- 70-pint dehumidifiers — whole basements, wet environments
- Dehumidifiers for basements
- Crawlspace / commercial dehumidifiers
- Browse all dehumidifiers →
Maintenance & controls
Air filters (recurring purchase)
Find your size with the air filter size calculator. Replace 1″ filters every 1–3 months; 4″ filters every 6–9 months.
- 14×20×1 air filters
- 16×25×1 air filters (MERV 13) — most common size
- 20×20×1 air filters (MERV 13)
- 20×25×1 air filters (MERV 13)
- 20×25×4 air filters (deep, MERV 13) — lasts 6–9 months
- Browse all HVAC air filters →
Smart thermostats
A smart thermostat can save 10–15% on heating/cooling. Estimate savings with the energy cost calculator.
Insulation & weatherization
Often the cheapest “BTU upgrade” is reducing heat gain and loss. These low-cost improvements can reduce your heating/cooling needs by 10–30% and often pay for themselves in a single season.
- Weatherstripping (doors & windows) — $5–15
- Window insulation kits — $10–30
- Spray foam insulation kits — $10–40
- Door sweeps / draft stoppers — $8–20
- Outlet insulation gaskets — $5–10
Use a thermal leak detector to find drafts before you seal them. For official guidance, see the Energy.gov weatherization guide.
Diagnostic tools & meters
These inexpensive tools help you diagnose comfort problems, verify equipment performance, and identify where you’re losing energy.
- Thermal leak detector — find drafts, cold spots, insulation gaps
- Infrared thermometer gun — check surface temperatures instantly
- Indoor hygrometer (temp + humidity) — monitor comfort levels
- Electricity usage monitor (Kill A Watt) — measure actual watt draw
- Anemometer (airflow meter) — check vent airflow CFM
Size your equipment first
Use our free calculators to find the right BTU, wattage, or capacity before you buy.
Quick BTU Calculator
3 inputs, instant BTU estimate for any room.
Advanced BTU Calculator
12-input room analysis — climate, windows, occupants.
Most detailedWindow AC Calculator
Room-level cooling with BTU match.
Portable AC Calculator
SACC-based sizing for portables.
Mini split · AC size (central) · Heat pump · Furnace size · Space heater · Garage heater · Radiant floor · Ceiling fan · Dehumidifier · Air filter · Grow room · SEER savings · EER to SEER2 · Energy cost
Services & resources
- Get HVAC quotes from local contractors
- ACCA Manual J — official load calculation standard
- ENERGY STAR federal tax credits — rebates for high-efficiency equipment
- Energy.gov weatherization guide — federal tips for reducing heating/cooling load
- Check electricity rates in your area
- Home Depot heating & cooling
- Lowe’s heating & cooling
Frequently asked questions
What size HVAC equipment do I need?
Size depends on the room or home area, climate zone, insulation quality, and equipment type. As a rough starting point: window ACs need about 20 BTU per square foot, mini splits cover 400–600 sq ft per ton, and central AC systems need 1 ton per 400–600 sq ft depending on climate. Use the free BTU calculator for a precise recommendation before buying, or browse the sizing calculators above for each equipment category.
What is the difference between BTU and tons for HVAC?
BTU (British Thermal Unit) is the standard unit for measuring heating and cooling capacity. One ton of cooling equals 12,000 BTU per hour. So a 2-ton central AC delivers 24,000 BTU/hr, and a 3-ton system delivers 36,000 BTU/hr. Window ACs and portable ACs are rated in BTU; central AC and heat pumps are rated in tons. Mini splits are rated in both.
Should I buy a window AC, portable AC, or mini split?
Window ACs are the most energy-efficient single-room option and cost the least upfront ($150–$600). Portable ACs are easier to move and require no permanent installation, but are less efficient than window units. Mini splits are the most efficient option (SEER2 15–26), work for both heating and cooling, and have no duct losses — but cost more upfront ($700–$2,500+). Use the window AC, portable AC, or mini split calculator to size each option for your room.
What is the most energy-efficient heating and cooling system?
Mini split heat pumps are typically the most efficient residential option, with SEER2 ratings of 15–26 for cooling and HSPF2 ratings of 9–13 for heating. They move heat rather than generating it, delivering 2–4 units of heating or cooling energy per unit of electricity consumed. Central heat pump systems are slightly less efficient due to duct losses, but still outperform gas furnaces in mild to moderate climates (Zones 1–4). Use the EER to SEER2 converter and SEER savings calculator to compare specific models.
Do I need to get HVAC quotes for installation?
For central AC, heat pumps, furnaces, and whole-home mini split systems, professional installation is required. A qualified contractor should perform an ACCA Manual J load calculation before sizing equipment — not just match the old system's tonnage. Get free HVAC quotes from local contractors. Window ACs, portable ACs, and plug-in space heaters are DIY-friendly and require no installation quote.
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