Is a 5 Ton System Right for Your Home?
R-32 Sizing & Load Tips from Tony Marino
🧰 Tony’s Intro: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
I’ve been in this business for more than two decades, and if I had a dollar for every time a homeowner told me “I want the biggest air conditioner you’ve got,” I’d have retired by now.
Let me tell you straight: a 5-ton system can be a dream if your home needs it — or a nightmare if it doesn’t.
People think “bigger = better cooling.” But an oversized system is like putting a V8 engine in a lawnmower — it’ll roar, burn fuel, and shut off before it actually gets the job done.
The Goodman 5 Ton 14 SEER2 R-32 system is a powerhouse — the GLXS4BA6010 condenser paired with the AMST60DU1300 air handler delivers serious airflow and cooling capacity. But before you install one, let’s figure out whether your home really calls for it.
I’m going to break this down step by step, Tony-style: simple math, real-world examples, no guesswork.
🌡️ 1. What “5 Ton” Really Means
Most homeowners think “ton” means weight. In HVAC, it’s not about pounds — it’s about heat removal capacity.
1 ton of cooling = 12,000 BTUs per hour.
So a 5-ton system = 60,000 BTUs/hour.
That’s enough cooling power for roughly 2,400–3,000 square feet — depending on insulation, layout, windows, and climate.
But here’s the catch: those numbers are averages. A 2,500-sq-ft house in Arizona needs a whole different system than one in Maine.
👉 Tony’s Rule of Thumb:
Always size for heat gain, not square footage.
(Energy.gov HVAC sizing basics)
📏 2. The Manual J Load Calculation — Your Starting Line
The gold standard for sizing HVAC systems is the ACCA Manual J load calculation.
This isn’t just fancy math. It considers:
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Square footage
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Ceiling height
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Window count and direction
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Insulation quality
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Air leakage
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Occupants
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Local climate zone
If your installer doesn’t do a Manual J, they’re guessing.
Why It Matters
A 5-ton system that’s too big will:
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Short cycle (runs too short to dehumidify)
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Wear out compressors early.
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Waste electricity
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Cause uneven temps room to room.
A system too small will:
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Run constantly
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Struggle in extreme heat.
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Lead to high humidity indoors
👉 Tony’s Tip: Ask your installer to show you the Manual J report. If they shrug, find another contractor.
🧱 3. Square Footage vs. Real-World Cooling Load
Let’s use a rough guide to visualize how much cooling power homes need per square foot.
| Region | Typical Cooling Load | Approx. Home Size for 5 Ton |
|---|---|---|
| Hot South (TX, FL, AZ) | 25 BTU/sq ft | 2,400 sq ft |
| Mixed Climate (TN, VA, KS) | 20 BTU/sq ft | 3,000 sq ft |
| Mild North (PA, WA, MI) | 15 BTU/sq ft | 4,000 sq ft |
So, depending on where you live, a 5-ton Goodman could serve anywhere from a 2,400 sq ft house in Houston to a 4,000 sq ft one in Seattle.
(Energy Star home cooling calculator)
👉 Tony’s Take: Don’t size your system off your cousin’s Florida ranch if you live in Michigan. Climate matters more than square feet.
⚙️ 4. How Insulation & Construction Change the Math
Let’s say two houses are both 2,800 sq ft:
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House A: 1995 build, R-19 attic insulation, single-pane windows.
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House B: 2020 build, spray-foam attic, low-E windows, radiant barrier.
House A might need the full 5 tons.
House B might only need 3.5 – 4 tons for the same comfort.
Why? Better insulation slows heat gain — the AC doesn’t have to work as hard.
👉 Tony’s Story:
I once replaced a 5-ton R-22 dinosaur with a new Goodman 3.5-ton R-32 system in a well-insulated home. The new unit cooled faster and used 30 % less power. The owner thought I undersized it — until his July bill came in $80 cheaper.
💨 5. Airflow & Duct Sizing for a 5 Ton System
Every ton of cooling needs roughly 400 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of airflow.
So 5 tons × 400 CFM = 2,000 CFM total airflow.
If your ductwork can’t move that much air, you’ll choke performance no matter how powerful the condenser is.
| Duct Section | Minimum Size | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Main supply | 18 × 10 in | 20 × 10 in |
| Main return | 24 × 10 in | 26 × 10 in |
| Branch ducts | 6–8 in | 7–9 in |
👉 Tony’s Rule: The biggest mistake with new systems isn’t the tonnage — it’s duct restriction. If you’re upgrading from a 3-ton to a 5-ton, your ducts probably need an upgrade too.
🧊 6. What R-32 Brings to a 5 Ton System
R-32 is the future of residential refrigerants — period.
Here’s why it makes sense in large-capacity systems like the Goodman GLXS4BA6010:
| Advantage | R-32 Benefit | Real-World Result |
|---|---|---|
| Lower GWP (675 vs 2088) | EPA compliant | No phase-out headaches |
| Higher heat capacity | Fewer pounds of refrigerant | Lower charge cost |
| Faster heat transfer | Cooler compressor temps | Longer lifespan |
| Better efficiency | 5–10 % less energy draw | Lower bills |
(EPA AIM Act refrigerant info)
👉 Tony’s Take: With R-32, Goodman systems handle extreme heat better. I’ve seen them run 10 °F cooler discharge temps under the same load compared to R-410A.
🏠 7. Matching the Air Handler: The AMST60DU1300
This Goodman air handler is a workhorse built for 5-ton applications.
Key Features
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Multi-position install (upflow, downflow, horizontal).
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ECM blower motor for variable-speed control.
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21 in cabinet fits most closets and mechanical rooms.
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Factory-installed TXV for precise refrigerant flow.
👉 Tony’s Tip: ECM motors adjust speed automatically. If you undersize your return duct, it’ll still try to hit the target CFM — but you’ll pay the price in noise and efficiency.
⚡ 8. Electrical Load & Circuit Planning
A 5-ton condenser pulls serious current — around 25–30 amps at full load.
Breaker Size: 40 A
Wire Gauge: 8 AWG copper minimum
Voltage: 208/230 V
👉 Tony’s Field Tip: Never use undersized wire “just because it’s already there.” Heat + amps = melted insulation and tripped breakers.
🌍 9. Climate Zone Breakdown — Where 5 Tons Make Sense
| Climate Zone | Typical Home Size for 5 Ton | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 (Florida, South Texas) | 2,400–2,600 sq ft | High humidity, heavy load |
| Zone 2 (Southeast, Gulf States) | 2,600–2,800 sq ft | Add drain-line protection |
| Zone 3 (Midwest, Mid-Atlantic) | 2,800–3,200 sq ft | Balanced cooling/heating |
| Zone 4 (North East, Northwest) | 3,200–4,000 sq ft | Less cooling, more heat load |
👉 Tony’s Perspective: Up north, you’ll barely use full capacity except for a few weeks a year. Down south, you’ll thank yourself for every BTU.
💧 10. Humidity Control & Dehumidification
A big issue with oversized systems is humidity.
A 5-ton AC cools so fast it can shut off before removing enough moisture — leaving you cool but clammy.
To fix that:
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Use variable-speed air handlers (like the AMST60DU1300).
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Run the fan on auto instead of on.
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Set the temperature to 74–76 °F for best dehumidification.
👉 Tony’s Trick: If you notice sticky air even though it’s cool, your system’s too big, or your fan runs too long after the compressor shuts off.
🧩 11. How to Avoid Oversizing Mistakes
Red Flags You’re Going Too Big
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System shuts off within 5–10 minutes.
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Uneven temps — cold rooms, hot halls.
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High humidity despite short run times.
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Electric bills are higher than expected.
Solutions
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Downsize ½ ton increments.
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Install variable-speed blower.
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Improve attic insulation and shading before upsizing equipment.
👉 Tony’s Saying: “You don’t fix a leaky boat by buying a bigger engine.”
🧮 12. Real-World Example: The 3,000 sq ft Texas Home
Specs:
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3,000 sq ft ranch, 9-ft ceilings, R-19 attic, west-facing glass wall.
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Cooling load: ~55,000 BTU.
Tony’s Calculation:
55,000 ÷ 12,000 = 4.6 tons.
A 5-ton Goodman R-32 fits perfectly — slight buffer for extreme heat, but not oversized.
Result:
Runs 12–15 min cycles, keeps humidity below 50 %, electric bill down 12 % compared to 10-year-old R-410A.
🔋 13. Energy Use & Cost Breakdown
| Efficiency | SEER2 | kWh/yr (avg) | Est. Annual Cost @ $0.15/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 14 SEER2 (Goodman 5 Ton) | 14 | 6,500 | $975 |
| Older 10 SEER unit (2010 model) | 10 | 9,100 | $1,365 |
| Difference | — | −2,600 | $390 savings/year |
👉 Tony’s Math: At $390 savings per year, your R-32 Goodman pays back the upgrade in 5–6 years.
🧊 14. R-32 and Future Regulation Compliance
The EPA AIM Act phases down high-GWP refrigerants like R-410A by 85 % before 2036.
R-32 is already approved long-term, so Goodman’s R-32 line is future-proof.
| Refrigerant | GWP | Status |
|---|---|---|
| R-22 | 1,810 | Banned (2010) |
| R-410A | 2,088 | Phasing out |
| R-32 | 675 | Approved 2036 + |
👉 Tony’s Warning: Don’t buy systems still using R-410A in 2025 — you’ll regret it when replacement refrigerant costs triple.
🧾 15. Cost of a 5 Ton Goodman R-32 Install
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Equipment (Condenser + Air Handler) | $3,500–$4,200 |
| Pad + Electrical + Lineset | $600–$800 |
| Labor (Full Install) | $1,500–$2,000 |
| Total Installed | $5,500–$7,000 |
👉 Tony’s Take: A good install lasts 15 years. A cheap install costs you another system in 5.
🧰 16. Maintenance Plan for Longevity
| Task | Frequency | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Filter clean/replace | Monthly | Prevent coil freeze |
| Coil cleaning | 2× year | Maintain efficiency |
| Drain flush | 2× year | Prevent leaks |
| Duct inspection | Yearly | Reduce airflow loss |
| Thermostat check | Yearly | Ensure accuracy |
👉 Tony’s Rule: A clean filter is worth 10 years of compressor life.
🔧 17. Common Homeowner Questions
Q: “Can I install a 5-ton system myself?”
A: Not legally — refrigerant handling requires EPA 608 certification.
Q: “Can one 5-ton unit cool two floors?”
A: Yes, with proper duct zoning or dampers.
Q: “Do I need a larger pad?”
A: Use a 42 × 42 × 4 in pad minimum, level + above grade.
Q: “Will it work with my old thermostat?”
A: Most modern digital thermostats handle it — but upgrade to a programmable one for energy savings.
🧠 18. Tony’s Quick Sizing Reference
| Home Size (avg insulation) | Climate Zone 1 (Hot) | Zone 2 (Mild) | Zone 3 (Cool) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,000 sq ft | 3.5 tons | 3 tons | 2.5 tons |
| 2,500 sq ft | 4 tons | 3.5 tons | 3 tons |
| 3,000 sq ft | 5 tons | 4 tons | 3.5 tons |
| 3,500 sq ft | — | 5 tons | 4 tons |
👉 Tony’s Trick: If you’re between sizes, improve insulation before upsizing. Cheaper and quieter in the long run.
🧩 19. Indoor Air Handler Placement Tips
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Leave 24 in front clearance for service access.
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Mount with rubber isolation pads to cut vibration.
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Ensure the condensate pan has a 1/4 in per ft slope to drain.
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Avoid placing directly beside bedrooms — even ECMs hum lightly at high speed.
👉 Tony’s Advice: Plan access for coil cleaning. If you can’t reach the TXV valve without contorting, your installer didn’t plan.
🧾 20. Tony’s Final Word
The Goodman 5 Ton 14 SEER2 R-32 system isn’t for everyone — but when it fits, it’s unbeatable.
It’s the ideal choice for large homes in hot climates, light commercial buildings, or multi-zone retrofits where efficiency and reliability matter most.
But before you pull the trigger, remember:
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Don’t skip your Manual J load calculation.
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Size ducts properly for 2,000 CFM airflow.
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Use a dedicated electrical service.
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Keep your filters and coils clean.
👉 Tony’s Bottom Line:
Get the sizing right once, and Goodman will run 15 years without complaint. Guess wrong, and you’ll spend those 15 years chasing humidity and high bills.
In the following blog, Tony will help with the Installation Planning.
