KL · Aircond guide
In Malaysia, aircond is sold by horsepower (HP). Buy too small and the room never gets cold on a hot afternoon; too big and you pay more upfront and the room feels damp. Use this table as a starting point.
StringsSG · Updated
Room size to HP
| Room size | Suggested HP | Approx. BTU/h |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 150 sq ft (14 m²) | 1.0hp | 9,000 |
| 150 - 250 sq ft (14-23 m²) | 1.5hp | 12,000 |
| 250 - 350 sq ft (23-33 m²) | 2.0hp | 18,000 |
| 350 - 450 sq ft (33-42 m²) | 2.5hp | 22,000-24,000 |
| 450 sq ft + (42 m² +) | 3.0hp or ceiling cassette | 24,000 + |
Rules of thumb for Malaysian homes. For large open-plan areas or offices, ask for a proper heat-load assessment.
What changes the answer
Afternoon sun
West-facing rooms and rooms with big windows heat up badly after 2pm - go one size up.
Top floor or roof
Top-floor condo units and the upstairs of terrace houses absorb roof heat.
Open kitchens
Cooking adds heat to living rooms that open into the kitchen.
High ceilings
Bungalow and shophouse ceilings mean more air to cool.
Wrong size? Rule out dirt first
A dirty coil or low gas can make a correctly sized aircond feel too small. Before you replace a unit that "can't cope", get it serviced - many units recover most of their cooling after a chemical wash.
