There are a lot of reasons why you want your HVAC equipment installed by a licensed, certified and trained technician. Some of those reasons come into play long before the technical challenge of actually installing a new system. The initial task of sizing a furnace to a home is a technical process that requires special knowledge. Getting the calculations wrong can be costly.
An Ill-Fitting Furnace
You already know that proper sizing of air conditioning systems is essential to comfort and energy efficiency. An air conditioner that is too small will run constantly. This is expensive and it may never get the home to reach its thermostat setting. One that’s too large will cool down the house too quickly. Resulting in cooling cycles that are too frequent and that wear down parts prematurely.
Furnaces face almost the exact same problems when they aren’t sized properly. Undersized systems will run all the time, racking up huge bills while struggling to heat the home. Oversized systems are likely to make some rooms too hot, especially the ones closest to the furnace. They will also cycle on and off too regularly, all but ensuring more frequent repair calls.
Better Data, Better Results
Some HVAC manufacturer websites offer charts or calculators to help you estimate furnace size based on the square footage of your home. These can be useful for getting a general idea of what size is appropriate. But there are much more accurate calculations that an experienced HVAC technician can perform. Ensuring the best possible fit and performance of your furnace. It’s important to get this step right.
To perform these calculations, a technician will need to take measurements and inspect several elements of the home, including:
- Square footage
- Cubic feet of indoor air space
- Ductwork efficiency
- Integrity of the home envelope
- Climate zone
- Type and amount of insulation
- Sunlight exposure
- R-values and U-values of windows, doors and other elements
As you can see, these are more than back-of-the-envelope calculations. Getting an accurate assessment prior to choosing your system is critical to ensuring a long and energy efficient life for your new furnace.
Measure Twice, Upgrade Once
If your furnace is exhibiting some of the problems described above, it’s possible that it’s improperly sized. Have an HVAC technician examine your furnace and assess your home’s heating needs. If it turns out that your furnace is a major mismatch for your home. It may be that the most cost-effective way forward is to replace it.
What if you’re happy with your furnace’s performance and it’s about to become due for replacement? You shouldn’t necessarily jump right in and buy a replacement of the exact same size. By selecting the correct size model, you may be able to buy a smaller furnace. While still getting plenty of heat for your home.
Are you ready to find out what size furnace is a perfect fit for your home? Call Bolton Construction & Service of WNC, Inc. today to schedule a consultation.
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