When the time comes to replace your outdated furnace, it’s important to understand one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized properly for your home, will not only impact your comfort but can result in shortened life of your furnace, and leave you spending extra money on your utility bills.
If you pick a furnace oversized for your house, you’ll start to run into short cycles. The reason is that your oversized furnace heated your home too rapidly, turning off before the furnace can reach correct operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to a decreased life span and higher costs.
How can you be certain about the right furnace size for your home? Start with a load calculation from the experts at Fire & Ice HVAC. A load calculation takes specifics from your home into account and gauges the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) required to heat your house.
Some Things that Influence Furnace Size
- Square Footage—How large is the area your furnace will have to heat up? Your technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home will be included during this process. Many times, it is more beneficial to account only for the space that needs heating.
- Home Insulation—Insulation helps keep warm air from escaping your home through the cold winter months. It also strongly affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system you’ll need. Let the professionals from Fire & Ice HVAC evaluate the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you select the best furnace for your house.
- Type of Window—Just like your walls, the certain type of windows in your home, frame type, glaze type, gas fills/spaces, etc. will play into what heating and cooling needs your home requires.
- Outdoor Climate—Think about the range of weather you experience in Woodbridge. You’ll want a furnace that can sustain the conditions of your climate every year, without overworking itself.
Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when picking your new furnace. Let the qualified technicians at Fire & Ice HVAC help you pick a system that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to get started, contact us at 703-595-4157 or arrange an appointment online. Whether you have some questions about furnace size or want to learn more of the options for your space, our team is happy to help you out.