If there’s one question I get more than any other as an HVAC consultant, it’s this:
“Mark, how big of an AC unit do I need for my house?”

And right behind it comes its cousins:

• How many ton AC unit do I need?

• What size AC unit for 2000 square feet?

• How many tons of air conditioning do I need for my home?

Homeowners ask because they’re tired of guessing. They’re tired of being sold equipment that’s either too big, too small, or too inefficient. They want straight answers from someone who’s worked on thousands of systems.

So today, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about AC tonnage, including how much square footage a 2-ton, 3-ton, 4-ton, and 5-ton AC unit can realistically cool. Along the way, I’ll tie this back to one of the most popular systems on the market today: the Goodman 3-Ton 14.5 SEER2 R-32 Bundle—a workhorse system that fits the cooling needs of many American homes.

I’ll also give you a fully transparent breakdown of square-footage ranges, regional considerations, and when your home may require more (or fewer) tons than the charts suggest.

Let’s get into it.

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1. First Things First: What Does “Ton” Mean in AC Sizing?

This confuses a lot of homeowners, and for good reason—the term “ton” sounds like a measurement of weight.

But in HVAC, a ton doesn’t measure weight—it measures cooling capacity.

One ton = the ability to remove 12,000 BTUs of heat per hour.

That means:

These are general guidelines, but your actual needs may differ depending on insulation, climate zone, ceiling height, sun exposure, number of occupants, and more.

We’ll get deeper into that shortly.

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2. Understanding Square Footage: How Big of an AC Unit Do I Need?

Let’s go through each AC size, because the questions you asked most—4 ton ac unit square footage, 3 ton ac unit square footage, 5 ton ac unit square footage, and so on—deserve complete, real-world answers.

We'll also include variations such as:

• how big of an air conditioner unit do I need

• how big of an ac unit do I need

• what ton ac do I need

• how many ton air conditioner do I need

Let’s tackle them by tonnage.

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3. 2-Ton AC Unit Square Feet — What Can It Cool?

A 2 ton AC unit equals 24,000 BTUs and typically covers:

900 to 1,200 square feet

This size works great for:

• Smaller ranch homes

• Apartments and condos

• Tight, well-insulated 1-story homes

• Modular homes

Common keyword coverage:
✔ 2 ton ac unit square feet

When is 2 tons NOT enough?

• Homes with vaulted ceilings

• Upper floors of two-story homes

• Poor insulation

• Houses with heavy sun exposure

• Homes in hot southern climates (Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona)

If you’re cooling an 1800 square foot house, for example, a 2-ton unit is far too small.

More on 1800-square-foot homes later.

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4. 3-Ton AC Unit Square Footage — One of the Most Common Sizes

This is where the Goodman 3-Ton 14.5 SEER2 R-32 Bundle comes into play. A 3 ton AC unit offers 36,000 BTUs and usually covers:

1,300 to 1,600 square feet

Common keyword coverage:
✔ 3 ton ac unit square footage
✔ 3 ton air conditioner square footage
✔ how many square feet a 3-ton AC cools

This is the AC size I install most frequently across average-size American homes.

Ideal for:

• Typical 3-bedroom homes

• Split-level houses

• Ranch houses with decent insulation

• Most northern U.S. climate homes up to 1,600 sq ft

When is a 3-ton too small?

If you're cooling an 1800 sq ft house, a 3-ton might be borderline, especially in hotter states. For older or sun-exposed homes, you'd likely need a 3.5-ton or 4-ton unit.

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5. 4-Ton AC Unit Square Footage — The Go-To for Larger Houses

A 4 ton AC unit equals 48,000 BTUs, which can cool:

1,800 to 2,200 square feet

Common keyword coverage:
✔ 4 ton ac unit square footage
✔ 4 ton ac unit square feet
✔ 4 ton air conditioner square footage
✔ 4 ton ac square footage

This size is ideal for:

• Larger 2-story homes

• Houses with open floor plans

• Homes in hotter climates between 1,800–2,100 sq ft

• Older homes that leak air or have poorer insulation

4 Ton AC Unit for 2000 Sq Ft

If you're wondering:

• ac unit for 2000 sq ft house

• what size ac unit for 2000 square feet

• 2000 sq ft air conditioner

• air conditioning unit for 2000 square foot house

• how many ton ac unit for 2000 sq ft

• what size hvac for 2000 sq ft

Then the answer in most scenarios is:

A 4-ton AC unit is ideal for most 2000 sq ft homes.

We’ll explore variations further down.

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6. 5-Ton AC Unit Square Footage — Maximum Residential Size

A 5 ton AC unit equals 60,000 BTUs, and typically cools:

2,300 to 2,700 square feet

Common keyword coverage:
✔ 5 ton ac unit square footage
✔ 5 ton ac unit square feet
✔ 5 ton air conditioner square feet

This size is for:

• Large 2-story homes

• Luxury homes

• Open concepts with high ceilings

• Homes with multiple heat-load issues (glass walls, sunrooms, etc.)

• Southern homes needing higher capacity

A 5-ton system is the largest allowed in most residential installations under standard HVAC guidelines.

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7. What Size AC Unit Do I Need for a 1800–2000 Sq Ft Home?

Let’s answer the most common homeowner question with real-world accuracy.

For an 1800 square foot house

You’re likely searching:

• 1800 square foot house air conditioner

• ac unit for 1800 sq ft house

In most climates:

3.5 to 4 tons is the correct size for 1800 sq ft.

If your home is modern, well-insulated, and located in a northern climate, 3.5 tons can work.

But if:

• You live in the South

• Your home is older

• You have vaulted ceilings or poor insulation

you need 4 tons.

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For a 2000 square foot house

You’re likely searching things like:

• what size air conditioner for 2000 square feet

• how many tons for 2000 sq ft

• ac unit for 2000 sq ft house

• how many ton ac unit for 2000 sq ft

Here’s the truth:

4 tons is the correct size for most 2000 sq ft homes.

BUT…

You may need a 5-ton unit if:

• You live in Florida, Texas, or the Southwest

• Your home has poor insulation

• Your ceilings are over 9 feet

• You have a lot of south-facing windows

If you want a simple rule:

Northern states: 4 tons

Southern states: 4.5–5 tons

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8. Why Correct Sizing Matters (and What Happens When You Get It Wrong)

Sizing is everything.

Oversized AC Problems

• Short cycling

• Humidity issues

• Mold growth

• Comfort imbalance

• Higher utility bills

• Shortened system lifespan

Undersized AC Problems

• Constant running

• Uneven cooling

• High electric bills

• Poor comfort

• Excess wear on compressor

This is why professionals like me always conduct a Manual J load calculation.

You don’t want to guess. You want data.

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9. A Look at the Goodman 3-Ton 14.5 SEER2 R-32 Bundle

This is one of the most popular systems available today, and with good reason. It’s affordable, durable, efficient, and fits the needs of a massive percentage of American homes.

You can find full system details at The Furnace Outlet, the official retailer:
👉 Goodman 3-Ton 14.5 SEER2 R-32 Bundle

This is a great fit if your home is:

• 1,300–1,600 sq ft

• Well-insulated

• Located in a moderate climate

• A single-story ranch

• A modern construction home

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10. Climate Matters More Than You Think

Let’s break this down by region.

Northern U.S. (PA, MI, MN, NY, OH, etc.)

Homes need 10–20% less tonnage due to lower heat loads.

Southern U.S. (FL, TX, LA, GA, AZ, NV)

Homes need 10–30% more tonnage, especially if:

• A/C runs 9 months a year

• You have large sun-facing windows

• Your attic insulation is light

For homeowners in hot climates, I often refer them to trusted guidance from:
👉 Energy.gov Home Cooling Guidelines

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11. Insulation, Ductwork, and Sun Exposure: The Three Hidden Factors

Even with perfect square footage calculations, these factors can drastically change your needs:

1. Insulation Level

If your attic insulation is below R-38, you will need more tonnage.

2. Ductwork Condition

Leaky ducts can lose 20–30% of system output.

3. Sun Exposure

Rooms with:

• Big windows

• South orientation

• Minimal shade

…may need more capacity or even a zoned mini split system.

A great educational breakdown of zone cooling systems is available here:
👉 Zoned Heating and Cooling Systems

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12. The Best Way to Determine Your Exact AC Size

You can absolutely use guidelines, but nothing replaces a proper Manual J load calculation performed by a professional.

A highly reputable explanation of Manual J can be read here:
👉 AC Sizing and Manual J Overview

This ensures full accuracy and accounts for:

• Insulation

• Climate

• Window count

• Ceiling height

• Duct quality

• Air infiltration

• Orientation

I cannot emphasize this enough:

Never size an AC using only square footage.

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13. Final Sizing Table (Simplified but Real-World Accurate)

Adjust tonnage up or down based on:

• Climate

• Insulation

• Windows

• Ceiling height

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14. Final Thoughts From Mark Callahan

Homeowners don’t need guesswork—they need clarity.

If you’re asking questions like:

• how big of an ac unit do I need?

• what size central ac unit do I need?

• how many tons for 2000 sq ft?

• what ton ac do I need?

Then you’re already ahead of the game. Proper sizing is the #1 factor in comfort, efficiency, and longevity.

Whether you end up with a 2-ton, 3-ton, 4-ton, or 5-ton system, the key is matching the tonnage to your home’s actual heat load, not just the square footage.

And if the Goodman 3-Ton 14.5 SEER2 R-32 Bundle fits your home’s size, you’ll be purchasing one of the most reliable systems in its class.

When in doubt, call a pro—preferably one who doesn’t guess, but calculates.