
Selecting the correct HVAC system size for your home is essential. It has a big impact on your comfort and your energy bills. In this HVAC sizing guide, the professionals at Stanford Heating & Cooling will explain how to determine the right size of heating and cooling system for your home, what factors they take into account and why picking the ideal size HVAC is so important to your convenience.
What Impact Does HVAC System Size Make on Home Comfort and Efficiency
Proper HVAC size differs for each home. Your HVAC system needs enough heating and cooling capacity to make your entire home comfortable. It shouldn't have to work extremely hard to keep up in extremely warm or chilly weather. However, an HVAC system that's too big is inefficient, increases your energy expenses and can lead to complications that make your home less agreeable.
Crucial Factors Pros Consider for HVAC Sizing in Bloomfield, IN
To choose the right HVAC system size for a home, the HVAC installation experts at Stanford Heating & Cooling perform a Manual J load calculation to determine how many British Thermal Units (BTUs) are necessary to heat and cool and the home. A Manual J calculation evaluates several factors, such as:
- Size of the home: The total area of the home is arguably the most important factor in picking the size of your HVAC system. How much space will your new HVAC system need to heat and cool?
- Home insulation: A well- insulated home retains the indoor temperature more effectively, which can affect how much heating and cooling power you require.
- Regional Climate: The local climate in Bloomfield, IN, plays a major role in finding the right size HVAC. Homes in sunnier climates may require a system with a higher cooling capacity, while chillier regions may need less.
- Number of windows: Windows can be a significant source of energy loss. The number, size, type of glass used, and whether they’re single paned or double pane can significantly influence heating and cooling requirements.
- Sun exposure: A home that receives a substantial sunlight will automatically be warmer than one that doesn't, which affects central air sizing. Home placement in relation to prevailing winds and number of nearby shade trees also affect the proper HVAC size.
Most Common DIY HVAC Size Mistakes
A common mistake homeowners make when determining the size of their HVAC system is to rely solely on square footage. While the square footage of your home has a major impact on what size HVAC you need, other considerations also influence how much heating and cooling capacity is required to keep your home comfortable.
Another typical mistake is not engaging a professional. It's essential to have a qualified HVAC technician carry out a Manual J calculation, which takes all the essential aspects of your home into consideration to find the correct HVAC size.
Why Is Your Home HVAC System Size Important?
An incorrectly sized system can lead to comfort problems and drive up your monthly power bills. Here's a closer look at the pitfalls of a incorrectly sized HVAC:
Problems with HVAC systems that are too small:
- Reduced lifespan and breakdowns: HVAC systems that don't have enough power often seem to run all the time to attempt to regulate the temperature of a home, leading to increased wear and tear. This can lead to breakdowns and even require premature HVAC replacement.
- An uncomfortable home: Small HVAC systems lack the necessary capacity to heat and cool your whole home, which can lead to hot, stuffy rooms or areas of your home that are uncomfortably cold.
- Increased energy bills: An underpowered HVAC system that works constantly trying to keep up uses more energy, increasing your monthly power bills and costing you money. A properly sized and energy-efficient HVAC system uses less power and helps to reduce your monthly bills.
Oversized HVAC system problems
- Wasted money: Larger HVAC systems tend to cost more money, so purchasing more heating and cooling capacity than your home requires is a waste of money.
- Shorter system life and breakdowns: HVAC systems that are too big often start and stop frequently, referred to as short cycling. This can result in wear and tear on your equipment, shortening its service life or requiring HVAC repair.
- Excessive indoor humidity: An HVAC system should balance indoor air moisture, but an oversized HVAC system may lack adequate runtime to accomplish that task. This can cause indoor air quality issues, such as mold growth.
Get the Right HVAC System Size by Working With the Pros at Stanford Heating & Cooling
Now that you understand some of the things that impact what HVAC system size is right for you, it's time to choose a new heating and cooling system. Stanford Heating & Cooling is here to help.
We’ll evaluate your home and provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate for HVAC installation. We’ll analyze your home to find the most suitable HVAC system size for you, so you can enjoy a cozy environment every day of the year.
Call 812-825-8695 today to book your free estimate for HVAC installation in Bloomfield, IN.