When the time comes to upgrade your outdated furnace, it’s important to realize one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized appropriately for your home, will not only impact your comfort but can mean a shortened life of your furnace, and leave you with larger energy costs.

If you choose a unit oversized for your home, you’ll start to experience short cycles. This is because 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 bigger expenses.

How can you be confident in the correct furnace size for your home? Begin with a load calculation from the team at Heartland Heating & Cooling. A load calculation takes particulars from your home into review and identifies the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) required to heat your house.

Some Factors 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 needs to be included during this process. Often, it is more valuable to account only for the space that needs heating.
  • Home Insulation—Insulation works to keep warm air from filtering out of your home throughout the cold winter months. It also strongly affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system is required. Let the team from Heartland Heating & Cooling review the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you choose the ideal 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—Consider the range of weather you experience in Des Moines. You’ll want a furnace that can handle the conditions of your environment every year, without overworking itself.

Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when selecting your new furnace. Let the experts at Heartland Heating & Cooling help you find a unit that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to start the process, contact us at 515-344-3579 or arrange an appointment online. Whether you have additional questions about furnace size or want to learn more of the options for your space, our team is happy to help you out.