Having the right-sized furnace is critical for consistently heating your home, but did you know that furnace size also impacts the unit’s energy efficiency? Many people think that bigger is always better, but when it comes to furnaces (and other heating and cooling equipment), sizing is a bit more complicated than that. Furthermore, the physical size doesn’t necessarily equate to its heating capacity.
In this post, we’ll explore some of the issues that can come with choosing the wrong-sized furnace for your furnace replacement and provide some helpful tips for choosing the right unit for your needs.
Too Big
Getting a furnace replacement unit that is too big for your home can be just as problematic as having one that’s not big enough. An oversized furnace can heat your home too quickly, which can cause issues with short cycling. The frequent on and off can wear out your unit faster, as well as drive up your energy bills. Larger furnaces also tend to consume more energy in general, so you often wind up paying more than you should, no matter what.
Too Small
Conversely, selecting a furnace replacement that isn’t big enough to adequately heat your home will leave you feeling chilly instead of comfy. A unit that is too small will struggle to keep up with your needs, causing the parts to wear out faster and eventually leading you to need frequent repairs or, worse yet, another furnace replacement in just a short amount of time.
Just Right
Getting the sizing right for your furnace replacement is something of a science, and it’s best to work with trained professionals who can assess your home and help you select a properly sized unit. Some of the things to consider are the size and layout of your home, the number of occupants, the number and size of windows, insulation levels, and air infiltration rates.