Which furnace is the right size for me?

When the time comes to update your outdated furnace, it’s important to understand one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized correctly 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 system oversized for your space, you’ll start to experience short cycles. The reason is that your oversized furnace heated your home too quickly, turning off before the furnace can reach proper operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to a shortened life span and higher costs.

How can you be sure you know the right furnace size for your home? Get started with a load calculation from the team at Precision Mechanical. A load calculation takes aspects from your home into consideration and measures the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) necessary to heat your home.

Some Items that Influence Furnace Size

• Square Footage—How big is the area your furnace will be heating? Your technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home will be considered during this process. Often, it is more useful 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 will be necessary. Let the team from Precision Mechanical take a look at the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you select the ideal 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 play into what heating and cooling needs your home requires.
• Outdoor Climate—Consider the range of weather you get in Rapid City. You’ll want a furnace that can sustain 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 Precision Mechanical help you pick a solution that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to get started, call us at 605-206-3766 or schedule an appointment online. Whether you have a few more questions about furnace size or want to discuss options for your space, our experts are happy to help you out.