If you plan on purchasing a new furnace soon, you’ll want to be sure and get the right size for your home. If you are replacing an older furnace, you should avoid simply replacing it with one that has the same BTU rating. Newer furnaces are much more energy-efficient, so your home may require a smaller unit to deliver equal or better results. Plus, your home likely has had improvements in insulation and air sealing over the years, so it’s heating load isn’t as much as it once was.Have a professional do an evaluation of your home’s needs to determine what size will be the best fit.

A furnace that’s too large will cycle on and off frequently, wasting energy and not heating your home evenly. A furnace uses the most energy when it kicks on, plus frequent starts and stops will wear out parts. Because it doesn’t run for long periods, an oversized furnace won’t filter your air as well as a correctly sized unit, leading to poor indoor air quality. The main thing, though, is that a furnace that’s the right size will help you save money on your utility bills each month.

Meanwhile, a furnace that’s sized too small will struggle to heat your home during the coldest days. This will waste energy because the system will stay running much longer than a properly sized furnace would.

Your contractor should use the industry standard load calculation software, Manual J, to determine what size furnace will properly heat your home. This calculation will take into account a variety of factors in addition to your home’s size and layout. These include insulation, airtightness, windows, landscaping, heat-generating appliances in the home, and more.

Be prepared to answer a few questions for your contractor as he determines what size furnace you need. How much insulation is in the walls and attic in your home? How many windows and doors do you have and what is their condition? Finally, get a rough estimate of what range of temperatures your family is most comfortable living in.

For professional tips on how to choose a new furnace, and to schedule an appointment, please contact us at Powers Heating & Air. We’re dedicated to providing world-class heating and cooling services to the residents of Peachtree City and the surrounding area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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