Last Updated on March 25, 2022 by Kravelv
Canada has the reputation for being a very cold climate by many individuals globally. While for the most part, Canada can have long bitterly cold periods, there are times of the year when the weather can quickly change to sweltering heat. Called heat waves and heat events, these extreme changes in temperature vary from region to region and depend on the time of year. Canadians can be unprepared for these changes as they do happen quickly. This is why you may require AC unit installation.
The Canadian Government has established guidelines for safety during these periods of heat as there is high humidity involved too. Illness such as heat stroke can be associated with the onset of hotter weather and even deaths have occurred during these periods of hot climactic conditions. Injury to the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys can occur with heat stroke, and emergency treatment is usually recommended. The guidelines for prevention and treatment by the Canadian Government include staying indoors during episodes of extreme heat, using an umbrella to shield the sun’s rays while outdoors, and cooling a person down immediately upon the first signs of heat stroke.
Benefits of using air conditioning
Of course, windows can always be opened, but that can leave in even more heat. Drapes and blinds can be drawn to prevent sunlight from entering. Fans are used many times, but they generate heat themselves and do blow the hot air around, without cooling it. Heat rises so the higher up an individual resides, especially in a condo or apartment, the more air conditioning units are needed. There are smaller window units that will cool 1000 square feet of space that are affordable and easy to install for purchase all throughout Canada.
A study was done in 2009 which reported on the usage of AC and the types of AC throughout Canada. While many larger luxury condominiums had central air conditioning, many homes, and smaller apartments did not. The individuals in these smaller dwellings used window units and portable units which are also called standalone units. The surprising fact in the study was that some areas of Canada had residents which primarily did not use air conditioning at all. Since Canadians do not always need air conditioning many can be reluctant to purchase smaller standalone units misunderstanding the costs.
Cost of new AC unit to cool 1000 square feet
This is not an easy prediction to make, but more of a general guideline. The cooling power of any unit, whether standalone window units, portable units that are vented outside, or central air conditioning will make a difference in the cost. The amounts of BTUs (British Thermal Units) needed also is a consideration as a unit needs to provide enough cooling but not too much or energy costs will be driven up. In addition, installation of any units, especially central air will drive up the costs. BTUs are the standard used globally to measure the cooling capacity of an units and should be the first consideration.
A standard space of 1000 to 1200 square feet will need 21000 BTUs of cooling. When purchasing AC, the size and cooling power can be factored up or down depending on the space. Self-installation is usually done on window units as they are lightweight and easy to install for most individuals, so costs are saved there. The same applies to portable units which are vented through a slat in a window. Just opening the window and placing the slat is needed, and many come on wheels so are easy to transport from space to space. The standalone window air conditioners are the most affordable and some individuals use several throughout one property rather than pay for central air conditioning or a portable unit.
Costs can vary by brand and region.
The Canadian Government has specific regulations for both heating and air conditioning sales and usage. The focus is on energy-efficiency. While a cheaper brand can be purchased from a dealer that is not authorized, the unit might very well not meet the government standards and will indeed drive up the costs overall by being non-energy efficient. Residents must also be aware of both Federal and Provincial guidelines in the cost and usage of air conditioning in Canada, even for smaller spaces of 1000 square feet and under. The regulations are non-revocable, so purchasing from a reputable dealer no matter what type of air conditioning is chosen is a must.
Central AC will be the most expensive obviously.
A technician for this type of air conditioning needs to be licensed and the installation costs and purchase of the unit do depend on room size and brand. Most individuals should not try and install these units themselves as fire and other safety measures may erupt. The average cost of this type of AC is between 2000 CAD and 5000 CAD, so if looking at a 1000 square foot space, individuals can “guesstimate” the price at the lower end of the scale.
Window AC units if purchased at a big box discount store can be as cheap as 200 CAD, but those small units will only cool 1000 square feet, so anyone purchasing this type will need more units for a larger space.
A happy medium can be reached in both price and cooling power if purchased from a big box discount store if a portable unit is chosen. The costs of a portable unit which will cool approximately 1000 square feet of area will be about under 600 CAD and has the added advantage of being moved from area to area with almost no installation needed at all.
Final Words
Overall, there are many factors that come into play in how to determine the costs of AC for a 1000 square foot space. Shopping around, knowing the regulations, and purchasing according to specific needs all will be a factor, and research should be done before purchase.