Upgrading or Replacing Your HVAC? Ask a Pro for Size & Capacity Advice
If you tend to binge-watch HGTV shows, you’re likely convinced of the value a professional designer can bring to a project and the decision making process. Don’t forget about the value and expertise your HVAC professional brings as well. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when selecting and investing in a new heating and/or air conditioning system and bigger is not always better. There are many choices to be made a thorough heating & air conditioning contractor will help you to understand such as the type of system, the efficiency level and accessory options. While proper sizing of equipment is not one of the choices that you will make, it is one of the most crucial yet often overlooked, aspects of designing a suitable system for your home.
Having the wrong size system can majorly impact energy usage and cost. This is not a situation to “wing it.” Determining the right system for your home requires a lot of information and why you should have a professional identify the best HVAC system to optimize your home’s heating and cooling efficiency. Proper sizing of a residential system depends upon multiple factors, such as heat loss and gain, ductwork and sunlight, thus guessing can lead to discomfort and energy usage issues.
If your system is undersized, it can run constantly but not provide you with proper comfort levels. Having a system that constantly runs becomes costly not only for your utility bills but will require more frequent repairs because it isn’t getting any rest.
When your system is oversized, your home can heat up or cool down more quickly but will often lead to short cycling. This is the term used to describe when a system starts and stops frequently, putting a strain on HVAC system and ultimately shortening its lifespan. Because the system is working double time to heat or cool your home it is reaching the temperature on your thermostat before it can adequately remove sufficient moisture from the air. By having a professional HVAC technician identify the best-sized HVAC system you can count on an HVAC system that improves efficiency, reduces noise, offers greater cooling/heating comfort and saves money. An oversized system increases installation costs, wastes energy and costs more in overall operating costs.
Unfortunately, HVAC systems are often sized incorrectly, resulting in uneven heating and cooling of the home. The best time to correct this is when you are looking to replace the furnace or A/C. Have your consultant accurately gauge the correct heating and cooling load, what size equipment is needed and how much ductwork capacity is needed.
Once you’ve determined you need a new heating system, contact an experienced HVAC company before upgrading to make sure you get the right size for your home. Apollo Home Heating, Cooling and Plumbing has the experience and knowledge needed to help you keep your Greater Cincinnati home warm all winter and cool all summer. Give them a call today at (513) 268-8400 for a professional consultation!