Choosing the right HVAC system size for your home is vital. It impacts your ability to enjoy your home and your energy bills. In this HVAC sizing guide, the experts at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning will explain how to select the right size of heating and cooling system for your home, what factors they take into account and why picking the best size HVAC is so important to your comfort.
Why HVAC System Size Matters for Home Comfort and Efficiency
Proper HVAC size differs for every home. Your HVAC system needs adequate heating and cooling capacity to make your entire home pleasant. It shouldn’t struggle to keep up in extremely warm or frigid weather. However, an HVAC system that’s too big is inefficient, wastes money and can create issues that make your home less enjoyable.
Key Factors Pros Consider for HVAC Sizing in Fresno, CA
To choose the right HVAC system size for a home, the HVAC installation experts at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning conduct 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 several features of your home, such as:
- Square footage: The size of the home is arguably the most important factor in selecting the size of your HVAC system. How much space will your new HVAC system need to keep comfortable?
- Insulation levels in the home: A well- insulated home maintains the indoor temperature more efficiently, which can influence how much heating and cooling capacity you require.
- Local Weather: The local climate in Fresno, CA, has an important role in identifying the correct size HVAC. Homes in hotter climates may require a system with an increased cooling capacity, while milder regions may need less.
- Window size: Windows can be a considerable source of energy loss. The number, size, type of glass used, and whether they’re single paned or double pane can greatly influence heating and cooling requirements.
- Sun exposure: A home that gets a lot of sunlight will inherently be warmer than one that doesn’t, which impacts central air sizing. Positioning in relation to prevailing winds and number of nearby shade trees also affect the appropriate HVAC size.
Common HVAC Size Mistakes to Avoid
A common mistake homeowners make when determining the size of their HVAC system is to rely solely on square footage. While 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 required to keep your home comfortable.
Another typical mistake is not engaging a professional. It’s crucial to have a qualified HVAC technician carry out a Manual J calculation, which takes all the essential elements into consideration to find the appropriate HVAC size.
Why Does HVAC System Size Matter?
An incorrectly sized system can result in comfort problems and cost you money. Here’s a closer look at the pitfalls of a incorrectly sized HVAC:
Issues with undersized HVAC systems:
- Shorter system life and breakdowns: HVAC systems that don’t have enough power often seem to run all the time to strive to maintain the temperature in a home, leading to increased wear and tear. This can result in breakdowns and even require premature HVAC replacement.
- An unpleasant home: Small HVAC systems don’t have enough power to heat and cool your entire residence, which can result in hot, stuffy rooms or areas of your home that are chilly and uncomfortable.
- Increased energy bills: An underpowered HVAC system that works constantly trying to keep up uses more energy, running up your monthly power bills and costing you money. A properly sized and energy-efficient HVAC system consumes less energy and helps to lower your monthly bills.
Problems with HVAC systems that are too big
- Wasted money: Larger HVAC systems tend to cost more money, so purchasing more heating and cooling capacity than your home needs is an unnecessary expense.
- Less service life and breakdowns: HVAC systems that are excessively large often start and stop frequently, referred to as short cycling. This can cause wear and tear on your equipment, reducing its service life or requiring HVAC repair.
- Excessive indoor humidity: An HVAC system should control the moisture level in your home, but an oversized HVAC system might not run long enough to accomplish that task. This can cause indoor air quality issues, and encourage the growth of mildew or mold.
Get the Right HVAC System Size by Working With the Pros at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning
Now that you know some of the aspects of your home that impact what HVAC system size is right for you, it’s time to find a new heating and cooling system. Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning can help.
We’ll evaluate your home and give you a free, no-obligation estimate for HVAC installation. We’ll analyze your home to identify the best HVAC system size for you, so you can experience comfort every day of the year.
Call 559-255-1644 today to schedule your free estimate for HVAC installation in Fresno, CA.