AC Tonnage Calculator for Hotel Rooms
Estimate heat load and the right split AC size for up to four room types, with total tonnage for all your rooms.
| Room type | Length ft | Width ft | Height ft | People | Rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | |||||
| Deluxe | |||||
| Suite | |||||
| Other |
How to use the free AC Tonnage Calculator for Hotel Rooms
- Enter your figures in the fields above – use real numbers from your PMS, channel manager or accounts.
- Tap the button to see the result instantly. Change any value to compare scenarios.
- Copy, print or save the result and use it in your daily or monthly review.
This AC Tonnage Calculator for Hotel Rooms runs fully in your browser on mobile or desktop – no sign-up and nothing is uploaded. Free AC tonnage calculator for hotel rooms. Enter room size, people, sun exposure, roof and climate to get BTU heat load and 0.75 to 2 ton AC size.
Choosing the right AC size for hotel rooms
An undersized AC runs flat out all afternoon and still leaves guests complaining about a warm room. An oversized one cools the air quickly, switches off before removing humidity, and leaves the room cold and clammy while costing more to buy. Matching tonnage to each room type avoids both problems and keeps your electricity bill under control.
How the estimate is built
- Room volume: length × width × height in feet, at about 7 BTU per hour per cubic foot as a base load for an occupied room.
- People: two guests are included; each extra person adds about 600 BTU per hour.
- Sun exposure: west-facing rooms and large glass add 15%; shaded rooms take 10% off.
- Climate and roof: hot cities and rooms directly under the roof each add 15%.
Example
A standard room of 14 × 12 ft with a 10 ft ceiling has 1,680 cubic feet. That gives 11,760 BTU per hour, and with a hot-climate factor of 1.15 about 13,520 BTU per hour, or 1.13 tons. The next size up is a 1.5 ton split AC. The same room in a moderate climate would need about 0.98 tons, so a 1 ton unit is enough.
Tips for hotel owners
- Group rooms by type and size so you can standardise models, spare parts and remote controls.
- Choose inverter models with a good star rating for rooms with long running hours.
- Large spaces such as restaurants and banquet halls need several units or a ducted system and a proper heat load study.
- Keep a record of each AC's make, capacity and install date in an asset register, and plan filter cleaning with the maintenance checklist generator.
These figures are rule-of-thumb estimates. Confirm final tonnage with a qualified HVAC engineer, especially for glass-heavy rooms and top floors.
Frequently asked questions
What size AC do I need for a 150 sq ft hotel room?
With a 10 ft ceiling in a hot city, a 150 sq ft room usually needs about 1 to 1.5 tons depending on sun exposure, roof and occupancy. Enter the exact size to see the estimate.
What is 1 ton of AC in BTU?
One ton of refrigeration equals 12,000 BTU per hour, which is about 3.5 kW of cooling.
Should I buy a bigger AC to be safe?
Not much bigger. An oversized AC short-cycles, removes less humidity and costs more. Choose the next standard size above the calculated load.
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