{"id":5889,"date":"2026-07-16T08:02:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T08:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blizzcool.es\/blog\/sin-categorizar\/how-many-frigories-per-square-meter-do-you-need\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T08:02:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T08:02:27","slug":"how-many-frigories-per-square-meter-do-you-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blizzcool.es\/en\/blog\/air-conditioning\/how-many-frigories-per-square-meter-do-you-need\/","title":{"rendered":"How many frigories per square meter do you need?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a general rule, 100 frigories per square meter<\/strong> are calculated: multiply the square meters of the room by 100 and you have the frigories the equipment needs. A 20 m\u00b2 room requires about 2,000 frigories, and a 40 m\u00b2 room, about 4,000. This is an approximate calculation that gives good results in homes with 2.5-meter ceilings, but it changes significantly when the space is higher or there are heat sources. <\/p>\n

In this guide, you will see the frigories per square meter table ready for reference, the factors that make that figure go up or down, when it is better to calculate by cubic meters, and how to convert from frigories to watts and BTUs. You will also find what changes when, instead of a room, you are talking about a workshop or a warehouse\u2014a case where the 100-frigory rule falls short and it is better to look at the frigory calculation for an industrial warehouse<\/a> using other coefficients. <\/p>\n

The 100 frigories per square meter rule<\/h2>\n

The frigory is the unit that measures the cooling capacity of air conditioning equipment. One frigory is approximately equivalent to one negative kilocalorie, i.e., the energy required to lower the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree. The higher the number of frigories of an air conditioner, the more surface area it is capable of cooling. <\/p>\n

The starting point for the calculation is 100 frigories for each square meter of surface area. The formula is direct: <\/p>\n

Frigories = square meters \u00d7 100<\/strong><\/p>\n

This reference works for a well-insulated home with a standard 2.5-meter ceiling and normal occupancy. Manufacturers like Daikin or Hitachi use a slightly wider range, from 100 to 150 frigories per square meter, moving toward the high end in hot climates or south-facing rooms. In a cold climate or a room well-protected from the sun, the figure can drop even to 80 frigories per square meter. <\/p>\n

\"frigories<\/p>\n

Frigories table according to square meters<\/h2>\n

This is the quick reference applying the standard 100 fg\/m\u00b2 rule under normal conditions. The power column in kilowatts helps compare equipment that expresses its capacity in kW instead of frigories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Surface Area<\/th>\nEstimated Frigories<\/th>\nApprox. Power (kW)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
15 m\u00b2<\/td>\n1,500 fg (the actual market minimum is usually 2,000)<\/td>\n1.7 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20 m\u00b2<\/td>\n2,000 fg<\/td>\n2.3 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25 m\u00b2<\/td>\n2,500 fg<\/td>\n2.9 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30 m\u00b2<\/td>\n3,000 fg<\/td>\n3.5 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40 m\u00b2<\/td>\n4,000 fg<\/td>\n4.6 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50 m\u00b2<\/td>\n5,000 fg<\/td>\n5.8 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
70 m\u00b2<\/td>\n7,000 fg<\/td>\n8.1 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
90 m\u00b2<\/td>\n9,000 fg<\/td>\n10.5 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
100 m\u00b2<\/td>\n10,000 fg<\/td>\n11.6 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

A practical detail: although the calculation gives 1,500 frigories for 15 m\u00b2, most manufacturers have their smallest model at 2,000 frigories (the well-known “2,000 split”), which covers up to about 20 m\u00b2 well. You will rarely find equipment below that figure. <\/p>\n

Factors that change the calculation per square meter<\/h2>\n

The 100-frigory rule is a starting point, not a final figure. Two rooms of the same size may need very different power levels according to five factors that should be added to the base calculation. <\/p>\n

Orientation and hours of sunlight.<\/strong> A south- or west-facing room receives direct sun during the hottest hours. This means between 10% and 20% more thermal load compared to a north-facing one. If the living room turns into an oven in the afternoons, apply the high end of the range. <\/p>\n

Windows and glass surface area.<\/strong> Windows are the weakest point of any room. As a reference, add between 200 and 300 extra frigories for each square meter of window without solar protection. A large window without blinds or double glazing can provide as much heat as several meters of wall. <\/p>\n

Insulation.<\/strong> A home with good insulation and double glazing needs fewer frigories than one with poor enclosures. This is the factor that can most reduce the final figure if the construction is recent and well-executed. <\/p>\n

Occupancy.<\/strong> Each person at rest generates around 100 frigories per hour of body heat. In a living room where the family usually gathers or in a meeting room, that heat accumulates and must be compensated with more power. <\/p>\n

Equipment and appliances.<\/strong> Televisions, computers, ovens, or any electronic device dissipates heat. A desktop computer with a screen can contribute between 100 and 150 frigories per hour, and a kitchen in operation, considerably more. In spaces with a lot of electronics, the basic calculation falls short. <\/p>\n

When to calculate by cubic meters and not by square meters<\/h2>\n

When the ceiling exceeds 2.7 meters, the calculation by surface area is no longer reliable and you must switch to volume. The reason is simple: the 100 frigories per square meter rule assumes a standard height of 2.5 meters, and at a greater height, there is more air to cool. <\/p>\n

The formula by volume is:<\/p>\n

Frigories = cubic meters \u00d7 50<\/strong> (where cubic meters = length \u00d7 width \u00d7 height)<\/p>\n

An example makes it clear. A 30 m\u00b2 living room with a standard ceiling would give 3,000 frigories by the square meter rule. But if that same living room is 4 meters high, the volume is 120 m\u00b3, and applying 50 frigories per cubic meter, you would need about 6,000 frigories. The surface area calculation would have fallen short by half. <\/p>\n

How many frigories per m\u00b2 in a commercial space, workshop, or warehouse?<\/h3>\n

In commercial and industrial spaces, the domestic reference of 100 fg\/m\u00b2 almost never works. A space with high ceilings, glass storefronts, high occupancy, or machinery in operation accumulates a thermal load that multiplies the demand. In an industrial warehouse, with ceilings from 5 to 12 meters, a metal roof, and equipment generating heat, the correct calculation involves cubic meters and much higher load coefficients. In these cases, the solution is often not to air condition the entire volume, but to cool the specific workstation with a portable industrial air conditioner<\/a>, which concentrates the cold where the operator is without having to size the entire installation. <\/p>\n

\"calculation<\/p>\n

Frigories, watts, and BTUs: how to convert the units<\/h2>\n

When comparing equipment, you will find the power expressed in frigories, kilowatts, or BTUs depending on the manufacturer. In Spain and Europe, frigories are used, while Anglo-Saxon and Asian manufacturers mark their equipment in BTUs. These are the equivalencies you need: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Conversion<\/th>\nFactor<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Watts to frigories<\/td>\n\u00d7 0.86<\/td>\n1,000 W = 860 fg\/h<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frigories to watts<\/td>\n\u00d7 1.163<\/td>\n2,000 fg = 2,326 W (2.3 kW)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frigories to BTU<\/td>\n\u00d7 3.97<\/td>\n2,000 fg \u2248 7,940 BTU\/h<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BTU to frigories<\/td>\n\u00f7 3.97<\/td>\n12,000 BTU \u2248 3,000 fg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

It is important not to confuse two concepts that sound similar. Thermal power<\/strong> (frigories or thermal watts) is the equipment’s cooling capacity. Electrical power<\/strong> is what it consumes from the grid. They are not the same: a 2,000-frigory unit has a thermal power of about 2.3 kW, but its actual electrical consumption depends on efficiency and is usually much lower. <\/p>\n

Common mistakes when calculating frigories<\/h2>\n

Falling short on power is the most frequent mistake. Equipment with fewer frigories than necessary works at maximum capacity continuously, spends more electricity, makes more noise, and still fails to cool. Going overboard isn’t free either: an oversized unit cools too quickly, turns on and off constantly, dehumidifies poorly, and wears out the compressor sooner. <\/p>\n

The second classic error is applying the square meter rule without adjusting for height. In high ceilings, you must use the volume calculation, or the equipment will fall short no matter how small the surface area seems. And the third, ignoring orientation: a south-facing living room can require up to 20% more frigories than a north-facing one of the same size. <\/p>\n

These formulas are always approximate. For exact sizing, especially in commercial spaces, offices, or ducted installations, the most reliable method is for a technician to calculate based on the actual space, taking into account the building envelope, thermal bridges, and internal loads. <\/p>\n

From calculation to equipment: how to get it right with Blizzcool<\/h2>\n

Once you have the frigories your space needs, the next step is to choose equipment that actually delivers them under your conditions. This is where generic advice falls short, because cooling a well-insulated bedroom is not the same as cooling a workshop with open doors or a server room with sensitive electronics. <\/p>\n

Blizzcool is the industrial climate control brand of INTEC Suministros Industriales, specializing in advising on the real coverage of each unit before purchase instead of selling the most expensive model. For workspaces, its range of portable industrial air conditioners goes from the 2,000 frigories of the AC-1900\/1, ideal for a single workstation or a small room, to the 5,300 frigories of the AC-5300\/3, capable of serving up to three workstations at once. All of them work plugged into a standard outlet, without construction or installation. If you are unsure between models, the technical team calculates what power really covers your space based on the meters, activity, and temperature you are experiencing, and the Trade-In Plan allows you to replace old equipment with a discount. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As a general rule, 100 frigories per square meter are calculated: multiply the square meters of the room by 100 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5892,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[211],"tags":[115],"class_list":["post-5889","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air-conditioning","tag-consideration"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blizzcool.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5889","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blizzcool.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blizzcool.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blizzcool.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blizzcool.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5889"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blizzcool.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5889\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blizzcool.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blizzcool.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5889"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blizzcool.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5889"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blizzcool.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5889"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}