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What size furnace should I buy?

Square FootageFurnace BTU
1,000-1,200 sq. ft. Home40,000 - 60,000 BTU
1,200-1,500 sq. ft. Home60,000 BTU
1,500-1,800 sq. ft. Home60,000 - 80,000 BTU
1,800-2,500 sq. ft. Home80,000 - 100,000 BTU
2,500-3,500 sq. ft. Home100,000 to 120,000 BTU

AC Size & Tonnage Calculator

Find the correct AC tonnage for your Canadian home. Proper sizing means better comfort,
lower bills, and a system that actually lasts.
📐 Accurate Sizing
🇨🇦 Canadian Climates
⚡ Instant Result
📐
A/C Size Calculator
This short quiz is designed to help homeowners estimate the correct central air conditioning system size and BTU rating for your home.
Select your home type
Approximate home square footage of finished living space
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📐 Size Calculated
Your Recommended AC Size
Recommended Tonnage
—
BTU Output
—

Get a Confirmed Size from a Pro

A certified HVAC contractor performs a Manual J load calculation for exact sizing.

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What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need in Canada?

Choosing the correct AC size is critical. An oversized AC cools quickly but shuts off before removing humidity, leaving your home feeling damp and clammy. It also short-cycles — turning on and off constantly — which wastes energy and wears out the compressor prematurely. An undersized AC runs continuously on the hottest days and never reaches your set temperature. The right size comes from a proper Manual J heat gain calculation.
Home Size (sq ft)Recommended TonnageBTU/h Equivalent
600 – 9001 – 1.5 tonnes12,000 – 18,000 BTU/h
900 – 1,2001.5 – 2 tonnes18,000 – 24,000 BTU/h
1,200 – 1,7002 – 2.5 tonnes24,000 – 30,000 BTU/h
1,700 – 2,2002.5 – 3 tonnes30,000 – 36,000 BTU/h
2,200 – 2,8003 – 3.5 tonnes36,000 – 42,000 BTU/h
2,800 – 3,5003.5 – 4 tonnes42,000 – 48,000 BTU/h
*General estimates only. Use our calculator for a climate-adjusted result based on your specific home and location.

Factors That Affect AC Tonnage Requirements

📏 Square Footage
The primary sizing factor. Measure all cooled living space. Uncooled basements or garages should generally not be included.
🌡️ Local Climate
A home in Windsor, ON (summer design temp 32°C) needs more cooling capacity than the same home in Calgary, AB (27°C design temp).
🏗️ Insulation Quality
Well-insulated homes (R-20+ walls, R-50 attic) require 20–25% less cooling capacity than poorly insulated older homes.
🪟 Windows & Orientation
South- and west-facing windows in summer add significant cooling load. Large unshaded windows can increase required tonnage by 0.5 tonnes or more.
📐 Ceiling Height
9-foot or higher ceilings increase total cooled volume. Homes with vaulted ceilings need more capacity than standard 8-foot ceiling homes.
👥 Occupancy & Appliances
More occupants, open-concept kitchens, and heat-generating appliances all add to your cooling load and may push you to the next tonnage tier.

AC Sizing by Canadian Climate Zone

Canada spans ASHRAE climate zones 4 through 8. For cooling purposes, the relevant metric is summer design temperature — the temperature your AC must handle on the hottest days. Our calculator uses official summer design temperatures by city to give you an accurate tonnage recommendation.
CitySummer Design TempSizing Impact
Windsor, ON32°C+10% vs baseline
Toronto, ON31°C+8% vs baseline
Ottawa, ON31°C+8% vs baseline
Vancouver, BC28°CBaseline
Calgary, AB27°CBaseline
Winnipeg, MB30°C+5% vs baseline

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bigger always better when sizing an AC?

No — oversizing is one of the most common AC installation mistakes. An oversized AC cools the air temperature quickly without running long enough to remove humidity. The result is a home that feels cold and clammy. It also short-cycles, causing premature compressor wear and higher electricity bills. Proper sizing to your actual heat load is always the right approach.

One ton of air conditioning equals 12,000 BTU/h of cooling capacity — the amount of heat required to melt one ton (2,000 lbs) of ice in 24 hours. Residential ACs typically range from 1.5 to 5 tonnes. Most Canadian homes need 2–3.5 tonnes of cooling capacity.

Often yes — most central ACs in Canada are "split systems" that share the furnace's air handler and duct system. Your HVAC contractor will assess whether the existing air handler has adequate airflow capacity (CFM) for the new AC tonnage. Mismatched air handlers can reduce efficiency and comfort.

🇨🇦 Rebates Available
Canadian homeowners may qualify for up to
$5,000
in federal and provincial rebates on qualifying systems.
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