A 2-ton air conditioning unit is capable of cooling between 800 and 2,000 square feet of interior space. A building's energy efficiency, including air leaks, insulation and shading, and the climate it's located in impact how many tons of air conditioning are needed to cool it down.
The cooling capability of a central air conditioning units is measured in tonnage. A 1-ton unit can push out cool air at a rate of roughly 400 to 1,000 cubic feet per minute. Window air conditioners are generally labeled in British Thermal Units, or BTUs. A 12,000-BTU unit is the same as a 1-ton air conditioning unit.
