AC Tonnage Calculator Riyadh

Sizing an air conditioner in Riyadh? Because Riyadh has a very hot, arid desert climate, rooms need a different AC size than in a temperate region. The calculator below is pre-set to Riyadh’s climate — enter your room’s area for an instant tonnage. Riyadh sits in the heart of the Arabian desert — summer highs routinely hit 45–50°C with very dry air. The intense dry heat means the highest cooling multiplier of any climate here, so rooms need the largest tonnage step. Power is supplied by SEC.

🧊 Find the Right AC Size for Your Room — in Tons & BTU

Convert room size (sq ft or m²) to the exact AC tonnage you need — 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 Ton and up. ACCA Manual-J inspired, in tons, BTU/hr and kW, for the US, UK, Europe, India, UAE, Saudi Arabia & Australia.

🌍 Prefer metric? Switch units here

🏠1. Space Type

📐2. Floor Area & Ceiling

sq ft

Range: 50 – 10,000 sq ft

ft

Range: 7 – 20 ft

people

Range: 0 – 50 people

🌍3. Country / Climate

The base factor assumes a 30 °C / 86 °F design day. Change the chip above to match your region.

🧱4. Insulation

☀️5. Sun Exposure

🪟6. Windows / Glazing

Advanced loads (kitchen, appliances, exhaust) — optional

Wattage × 3.4 = BTU/hr. e.g. 500 W ≈ 1,700 BTU/hr

For office IT, gym gear, lab equipment

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AC Tonnage Chart for Riyadh by Room Size

These are typical AC sizes for Riyadh’s climate, for a room with an 8-foot ceiling and average insulation. Larger, top-floor, or west-facing rooms may need the next size up:

Room SizeRecommended ACApprox. BTU/hr
150 sq ft0.5 Ton4,247 BTU/hr
250 sq ft0.75 Ton7,079 BTU/hr
400 sq ft1 Ton11,326 BTU/hr
600 sq ft1.5 Ton16,988 BTU/hr
800 sq ft2 Ton22,651 BTU/hr
1,000 sq ft2.5 Ton28,314 BTU/hr
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Sizing AC for Riyadh’s Climate

In Riyadh’s desert heat, choose high-ambient inverter units and don’t undersize — a unit that struggles at 48°C will run non-stop and still fall behind. The calculator applies Riyadh’s climate factor automatically; you can still fine-tune ceiling height, insulation, sun exposure, and room type above to match your exact space. Remember that an oversized AC cools quickly but short-cycles and dehumidifies poorly — matching the tonnage to the room gives better comfort and lower running costs.

Frequently Asked Questions — Riyadh

What size AC do I need for a bedroom in Riyadh? A typical 150 sq ft bedroom in Riyadh needs about a 0.5 Ton AC (4,247 BTU/hr). Larger rooms scale up per the chart above.

Why does Riyadh need a bigger AC than a mild climate? Riyadh’s very hot, arid desert climate raises the cooling load, so the same room needs more capacity than it would in a temperate region — the calculator applies that adjustment automatically.

How many BTU for a 150 sq ft room in Riyadh? Around 4,247 BTU/hr under standard conditions. Adjust ceiling height and sun exposure in the calculator for a precise figure.

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Background reading: how the refrigeration cycle works.

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Reviewed for accuracy
Figures are reviewed by the Refcon HVAC engineering team using U.S. DOE, ENERGY STAR & ACCA Manual J data. Estimates only — confirm with a licensed pro.
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