Selecting the right HVAC system size for your home is essential. It impacts your home enjoyment and your utility costs. In this HVAC sizing guide, the specialists at Assured Appliance & Heating & Air will explain how to choose the correct size of heating and cooling system for your home, what factors they take into account and why choosing the ideal size HVAC is so important to your convenience.

Why HVAC System Size Matters for Home Comfort and Efficiency

Proper HVAC size varies from home to home. Your HVAC system needs adequate heating and cooling capacity to make your entire home comfortable. It shouldn't have to work extremely hard to keep up in extremely scorching or chilly weather. However, an HVAC system that's oversized is inefficient, increases your energy expenses and can lead to complications that make your home less comfortable.

Key Features Pros Consider for HVAC Sizing in Genoa, IL

To determine the appropriate HVAC system size for a home, the HVAC installation experts at Assured Appliance & Heating & Air perform a Manual J load calculation to determine how many British Thermal Units (BTUs) are necessary to heat and cool and the home. A Manual J calculation evaluates multiple factors, such as:

  • Size of the home: The size of the home is arguably the most crucial factor in picking the size of your HVAC system. How much space will your new HVAC system be required to keep comfortable?
  • Amount of insulation: A fully insulated home maintains the indoor temperature better, which can impact how much heating and cooling capacity you need.
  • Climate: The local climate in Genoa, IL, has a significant role in finding the correct size HVAC. Homes in warmer climates may require a system with a greater cooling capacity, while milder regions may require less.
  • Number of windows: Windows can be a major source of energy loss. The number, size, type of glass used, and whether they’re single or double paned can greatly affect heating and cooling requirements.
  • Amount of sun: A home that receives a lot of sunlight will naturally be warmer than one that doesn't, which impacts central air sizing. Orientation in relation to prevailing winds and number of nearby shade trees also influence the correct HVAC size.

Most Common DIY HVAC Size Mistakes

A frequent mistake homeowners make when sizing their own HVAC system is to focus only on square footage. Although the square footage of your home has a big impact on what size HVAC you need, other elements also influence how much heating and cooling capacity is necessary to keep your home cozy.

Another typical mistake is not engaging a professional. It's crucial to have a skilled HVAC technician carry out a Manual J calculation, which takes all the essential aspects of your home into consideration to determine the right HVAC size.

What Difference Does HVAC System Size Make?

An improperly sized system can lead to comfort problems and cost you money. Here's a deep dive into the pitfalls of a incorrectly sized HVAC:

Problems with HVAC systems that are too small:

  • Reduced lifespan and breakdowns: HVAC systems that are too small often operate continuously to strive to maintain the temperature in a home, leading to more wear and tear. This can lead to breakdowns and even require premature HVAC replacement.
  • An unpleasant home: Small HVAC systems are too weak to heat and cool your entire living space, which can cause hot, stuffy rooms or areas of your home that are chilly and uncomfortable.
  • Increased energy expenses: An underpowered HVAC system that operates nonstop trying to keep up uses more energy, increasing your monthly power bills and costing you money. A properly sized and energy-efficient HVAC system uses less power and helps to lower your monthly bills.

Oversized HVAC system problems

  • Wasted money: Larger HVAC systems are usually more costly, so buying more heating and cooling capacity than your home needs is an unnecessary expense.
  • Reduced lifespan and breakdowns: HVAC systems that are oversized often start and stop frequently, referred to as short cycling. This can cause wear and tear on your machine, shortening its service life or requiring HVAC repair.
  • Increased humidity: An HVAC system should control the moisture level in your home, but an oversized HVAC system may lack adequate runtime to accomplish that task. This can lead to indoor air quality issues, such as mold growth.

Get the Right HVAC System Size by Working With the Pros at Assured Appliance & Heating & Air  

Now that you have learned some of the aspects of your home that affect what HVAC system size is right for you, it's time to choose a new heating and cooling system. Assured Appliance & Heating & Air is here to help.

We’ll evaluate your home and provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate for HVAC installation. We’ll evaluate your home to identify the ideal HVAC system size for you, so you can experience comfort every day of the year.

Call 847-306-8990 today to set up your free estimate for HVAC installation in Genoa, IL.