When the time comes to replace your outdated furnace, it’s important to know that one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized correctly for your home, will not only hurt your comfort, but can lead to shortened life of your furnace, and leave you stuck with higher energy bills.
If you select a system oversized for your space, you’ll start to run into short cycles. The reason is that your oversized furnace heated your home too rapidly, turning off before the furnace can reach correct operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to reduced lifespan and cost you more in energy bills.
How can you be sure you know the proper furnace size for your home? Begin with a load calculation from the professionals at Precision Mechanical. A load calculation takes specifics from your home into review and gauges the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) necessary to heat your house.
Some Things that Influence Furnace Size
- Square Footage—What size is the area your furnace will have to heat up? The 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 beneficial to account only for the space that needs heating.
- Home Insulation—Insulation helps keep warm air from escaping your home throughout the cold winter months. It also greatly affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system will be necessary. Let the experts from Precision Mechanical take a look at the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you choose the best 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—Think about the range of weather you get in Rapid City. 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 choosing your new furnace. Let the experts at Precision Mechanical help you identify a system that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to start the process, call us at 605-206-3766 or schedule an appointment online. Whether you have some questions about furnace size or want to discuss options for your space, our team is happy to help you out.