A 2 Ton air conditioner has an approximate cooling capacity of 24,000 BTU/hour.
There are a few important points to consider to be able to use a 2 Ton AC reliably and safely.
Knowing the size of the area it is suited to cool, how much energy and electricity it uses as well as suitable wire gauge and circuit breaker to use with it and others is important to be able to get the most out of your AC.
So in this post, I share the estimated cooling area for the air conditioner, indicative energy and electricity usage, the recommended circuit breaker, and wire size rating for a 2 Ton air conditioner.
#1. The Number of Amps a 2 Ton Air Conditioner Uses
A 2 Ton, 208 – 230V Air Conditioner has an estimated current draw of up to 20 – 25 amps.
At startup, the current draw rises considerably but for a short while before reducing.
Even then, the actual current draw for the AC varies depending on the user settings selected such as the speed of the fan and the target temperature to cool too.
The higher the fan speed is for example, the higher will be the current drawn by the air conditioner.
#2. How Much Electricity (kWh) a 2 Ton AC Uses?
The estimated annual energy consumption of a 2 Ton AC is about 1,200 kWh*.
Note, the actual energy consumption depends on its usage:
- how often it is used,
- the specific settings selected by the user – fan speed, temperature, and
- its SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating of the air conditioner.
An air conditioner with a higher SEER number is more efficient and consumes less electricity (lower kWh).
You can find an AC’s SEER rating from the Energy guide, which is usually part of the documentation supplied with modern air conditioners.
How Much Electricity (kWh) per month?
The estimated monthly energy consumption of a 2Ton AC is 100 kWh*.
How Much Electricity (kWh) per day?
The estimated daily energy consumption of a 2 Ton AC is 3.3 kWh*.
*These are estimates. Your AC’s actual energy consumption can vary depending on the climate of your location, how often it is used and what settings are selected.
2 Ton AC | How Many Watts to Run
To run a 2 Ton AC unit, it needs to be supplied with about 2800 watts at full load.
This power consumption is higher during the startup phase of the air conditioner but reduces thereafter.
This assumes a cooling efficiency rating of 18 (SEER). More efficient units have a lower power consumption compared to inefficient ones.
#3. Circuit Breaker Rating to Use | 2 Ton AC
A 2 Ton air-conditioner likely requires a circuit breaker with a current rating of 20-25A.
Nonetheless, always consult the technical specification information for your AC model.
#4. What Size of Wire for The 2 Ton Ac Unit
As a guide, use 10 AWG wire size as a minimum when wiring a 2 Ton AC rated, 208 – 230V.
These units usually have a specified minimal ampacity of 18A.
Nonetheless, always consult the technical specification documentation for your AC model.
#5. Indicative Generator Size (kVA) for 2 Ton AC
You can use a good quality 10kVA rated generator or higher to power a 2 Ton AC.
If the generator is also used to power other appliances, then consider using a generator with a higher capacity (kVA) to avoid overloading and tripping the circuit breaker.
Note: Poor-quality generators can be overrated and may not be able to reliably supply power to a 2 Ton AC.
#6. How Many Square Feet for a 2 Ton Ac Unit?
The effective cooling area for a 2 Ton AC and other AC capacities depends on several factors:
- the prevailing climate of the area where it is being installed.
Besides the climate, there are additional considerations that are factored in the decision of whether a 2 Ton AC is suitable for cooling an area such as:
- how much window space is available. If a room has fewer windows, the AC does not have to work as hard to cool the space.
- how well insulated the building. Rooms with good insulation need less cooling.
That said, a 2 Ton AC can cool an estimated area of 955 – 1,680* square feet.
Warmer areas need more cooling capacity compared to colder areas.
For cooling a whole house, consider a residential split-system central AC with ducts for each of the various rooms to be cooled.
*Note: These are estimates – Always Consult a professional to size the AC for your desired space before you decide to purchase and install the AC.
Related Questions
#7. Should you use 2 Ton or 2.5 Ton AC?
Not sure whether to use a 2 Ton or a 2.5 Ton AC?
Well a 2.5 Ton AC’s cooling capacity is over 20% more than that of the 2.5 Ton AC may not cost considerably more upfront but could cost more in terms of electricity usage over the life of an AC,
If you have an existing 2 Ton AC and are considering an upgrade to a 2.5 Ton because the former is not cooling as well, you should consider as a first step, what might have changed for the existing AC to stop cooling effectively.
- Is it a case of lack of regular maintenance?
- How well insulated is the room that needs to be cooled?
If there are issues with both maintenance and insulation, addressing them can be cheaper than investing in a 2.5 Ton AC over both the short and longer-term.
Does the existing 2 Ton AC struggle to cool at all times or during times for example, when there is a large group of people?
Getting answers to these questions can help you make a better decision.
If still unsure, consult an AC professional or contractor to conduct a professional heat load assessment to guide whether a 2 Ton or a 2.5 Ton AC is a better choice.
Summary
A 2 Ton AC with its cooling capacity of approximately 24,000 BTU can cool a room of 955 – 1,680* square feet (estimate) depending on the insulation of the building and climate where it is installed.
At full load, the AC draws approximately 2,800 watts.
Actual power consumption varies depending on the settings selected.
For overcurrent protection of the AC, as a guide consider using a circuit breaker with a current rating of 20-25A.
