When you need to upgrade your outdated furnace, it’s important to know that one size does not fit all.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 impact your comfort but can lead to shortened life of your furnace, and leave you spending extra money on your utility bills.
If you choose a furnace oversized for your space, you’ll start to experience short cycles. This means 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 decreased life span and bigger expenses.
How can you be sure you know the proper furnace size for your home? Begin with a load calculation from the professionals at Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating. A load calculation takes particulars from your home into consideration 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? A technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home needs to be included during this process. Often, it is more beneficial to account only for the space that needs heating.
- Home Insulation—Insulation works to keep warm air from filtering out of your home throughout the cold winter months. It also strongly affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system you’ll need. Let the team from Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating take a look at the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you select the best 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 have an impact on the heating and cooling needs of your home.
- Outdoor Climate—Think about the range of weather you experience in Pella. You’ll want a furnace that can keep up with the conditions of your climate every year, without overworking itself.
Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when picking your new furnace. Let the qualified technicians at Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating help you pick a solution that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to start the process, call us at 641-628-3621 or book an appointment online. Whether you have a few more questions about furnace size or want to chat about options for your space, we’re happy to help you out.
