When you need to upgrade your outdated furnace, it’s important to understand one size does not fit all.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 spending extra money on your utility bills.
If you select a unit oversized for your home, 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 decreased lifespan and higher costs.
How can you be sure you know the proper furnace size for your home? Begin with a load calculation from the professionals at Heartland Heating & Cooling. A load calculation takes specifics from your home into consideration and gauges the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) necessary to heat your space.
Some Things that Influence Furnace Size
- Square Footage—How large is the area your furnace will have to heat up? 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 valuable to account only for the space that needs heating.
- Home Insulation—Insulation works to keep warm air from escaping your home through the cold winter months. It also heavily affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system will be necessary. Let the team from Heartland Heating & Cooling review the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you select the 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 have an impact on the heating and cooling needs of your home.
- Outdoor Climate—Consider the range of weather you receive in Des Moines. You’ll want a furnace that can handle the conditions of your area every year, without overworking itself.
Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when choosing your new furnace. Let the professionals at Heartland Heating & Cooling help you identify a system that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to get started, contact us at 515-344-3579 or schedule 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.