Selecting the appropriate HVAC system size for your home is crucial. It impacts your home enjoyment and your energy bills. In this HVAC sizing guide, the experts at Precision Mechanical will explain how to choose the correct size of heating and cooling system for your home, what factors they take into account and why selecting the most suitable size HVAC is so important to your comfort.

How Does HVAC System Size Affect Your Home Comfort and Efficiency

Proper HVAC size varies for every home. Your HVAC system needs adequate heating and cooling capacity to make your entire home cozy. It shouldn't have to work extremely hard to keep up in extremely hot or cold weather. However, an HVAC system that's too large is inefficient, wastes money and can cause problems that make your home less agreeable.

Crucial Factors Professionals Consider for HVAC Sizing in Rapid City, SD

To determine the correct HVAC system size for a home, the HVAC installation specialists at Precision Mechanical carry out 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 elements, such as:

  • Size of the home: The total area of the home is arguably the most significant factor in selecting the size of your HVAC system. How much space will your new HVAC system have to keep comfortable?
  • Insulation levels in the home: A well- insulated home maintains the indoor temperature more effectively, which can influence how much heating and cooling capacity you need.
  • Regional Climate: The local climate in Rapid City, SD, has a significant role in finding the appropriate size HVAC. Homes in hotter climates may require a system with a higher cooling capacity, while cooler regions may demand 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 paned can considerably influence heating and cooling requirements.
  • Sun and shade: A home that gets a lot of sunlight will naturally be warmer than one that doesn't, which influences central air sizing. Positioning in relation to prevailing winds and number of nearby shade trees also impact the appropriate HVAC size.

Most Common DIY HVAC Size Mistakes

A common mistake homeowners make when determining the size of their HVAC system is to focus only on square footage. Although the square footage of your home has a major impact on what size HVAC you need, other factors also influence how much heating and cooling capacity is necessary to keep your home pleasant.

Another typical mistake is not hiring a professional. It's essential to have a skilled HVAC technician perform a Manual J calculation, which takes all the essential aspects of your home into consideration to determine the appropriate HVAC size.

Why Is Your Home HVAC System Size Important?

An improperly sized system can lead to comfort problems and cost you money. Here's a detailed view of the pitfalls of a incorrectly sized HVAC:

Issues with undersized HVAC systems:

  • Shorter system life and breakdowns: HVAC systems that don't have enough power often seem to run all the time to try to heat or cool a home, leading to excessive wear and tear. This can result in breakdowns and even require premature HVAC replacement.
  • An unpleasant home: Small HVAC systems are too weak to heat and cool your entire residence, which can result in hot, stuffy rooms or areas of your home that are far too cool.
  • Higher energy expenses: An underpowered HVAC system that runs continuously trying to keep up uses more energy, running up your monthly power bills and wasting your hard-earned money. A properly sized and energy-efficient HVAC system uses less power and helps to lower your monthly bills.

Problems with HVAC systems that are too big

  • Unnecessary expenses: Larger HVAC systems typically have a higher purchase price, so purchasing more heating and cooling capacity than your home requires is a waste of money.
  • Less service life and breakdowns: HVAC systems that are too big often cycle on and off, referred to as short cycling. This can lead to wear and tear on your machine, reducing its service life or requiring HVAC repair.
  • Increased humidity: An HVAC system should regulate indoor humidity, but an oversized HVAC system often completes its cycle before it has time to accomplish that task. This can lead to indoor air quality issues, such as mold growth.

Get Professional HVAC Sizing and Replacement by Working with Precision Mechanical  

Now that you understand some of the things that impact what HVAC system size is right for you, it's time to select a new heating and cooling system. Precision Mechanical is ready to help.

We’ll evaluate your home and give you a free, no-obligation estimate for HVAC installation. We’ll evaluate your home to identify the best HVAC system size for you, so you can experience comfort every day of the year.

Call 605-206-3766 today to set up your free estimate for HVAC installation in Rapid City, SD.