When the time comes to upgrade your outdated furnace, it’s important to know that one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized correctly for your home, will not only hurt your comfort but can mean a shortened life of your furnace, and leave you spending extra money on your utility bills.
If you pick a unit oversized for your house, you’ll start to experience short cycles. This means your oversized furnace heated your home too rapidly, turning off before the furnace can reach the right operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to a shortened life span and cost you more in energy bills.
How can you be certain about the right furnace size for your home? Start with a load calculation from the professionals at Fire & Ice HVAC. A load calculation takes specifics from your home into review and identifies the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) required to heat your home.
Some Items that Influence Furnace Size
- Square Footage—How large is the area your furnace will be heating? A technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home will be accounted for during this process. Often, it is more useful to account only for the space that needs heating.
- Home Insulation—Insulation works to keep warm air from leaving your home through the cold winter months. It also greatly affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system will be necessary. Let the experts from Fire & Ice HVAC evaluate the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you find a perfect furnace for your house.
- Type of Window—Just like your walls, the specific type of windows in your home, frame type, glaze type, gas fills/spaces, etc. will influence your heating and cooling requirements.
- Outdoor Climate—Think about the range of weather you experience in Manassas. You’ll want a furnace that can sustain the conditions of your area every year, without overworking itself.
Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when picking your new furnace. Let the experts at Fire & Ice HVAC help you pick a unit that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to get started, contact us at 703-595-4157 or schedule an appointment online. Whether you have additional questions about furnace size or want to discuss options for your space, we’re happy to help you out.