What size furnace do I need?

When you need to update your outdated furnace, it’s important to know that one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized appropriately for your home, will not only hurt your comfort but can mean a shortened life of your furnace, and leave you with larger energy costs.

If you select a unit oversized for your home, you’ll start to notice short cycles. This is because your oversized furnace heated your home too rapidly, 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 certain about the right furnace size for your home? Begin with a load calculation from the professionals at Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating. A load calculation takes specifics from your home into review and gauges the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) required to heat your space.

Some Factors that Influence Furnace Size

• Square Footage—What size 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 needs to be considered during this process. Often, it is more useful to account only for the space that needs heating.
• Home Insulation—Insulation assists in keeping warm air from filtering out of your home throughout the cold winter months. It also heavily affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system you’ll need. Let the professionals from Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating 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 particular type of windows in your home, frame type, glaze type, gas fills/spaces, etc. will influence your heating and cooling requirements.
• Outdoor Climate—Think about the range of weather you experience in Pella. You’ll want a furnace that can handle the conditions of your climate every year, without overworking itself.

Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when selecting your new furnace. Let the professionals at Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating help you find a system that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to get started, call us at 641-628-3621 or arrange an appointment online. Whether you have some questions about furnace size or want to discuss options for your space, our experts are happy to help you out.