How do I size my furnace?

1/31/2019

When you need to replace your outdated furnace, it’s important to know that one size does not fit all.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 with larger energy costs.

If you choose a furnace oversized for your house, you’ll start to experience short cycles. This means your oversized furnace heated your home too quickly, turning off before the furnace can reach the right operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to a reduced life span and bigger expenses.

How can you be sure you know the proper furnace size for your home? Get started with a load calculation from the experts at AC Sales. A load calculation takes specifics from your home into consideration and identifies the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) required to heat your space.

Some Items that Influence Furnace Size

• Square Footage — What size is the area your furnace will need to heat? Your technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home may 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 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 experts from AC Sales review the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you choose the perfect 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 influence your heating and cooling requirements.
• Outdoor Climate — Consider the range of weather you experience in Lafayette. You’ll want a furnace that can sustain 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 AC Sales help you pick a solution that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to get started, contact us at (337) 234-2345 or schedule an appointment online. Whether you have some questions about furnace size or want to discuss options for your space, we’re happy to help you out.