Choosing the right HVAC system size for your home is crucial. It has a big impact on your comfort and your utility costs. In this HVAC sizing guide, the specialists at Central Air LLC will explain how to choose the right size of heating and cooling system for your home, what factors they take into account and why selecting the best size HVAC is so important to your satisfaction.

What Impact Does HVAC System Size Make on Home Comfort and Efficiency

Proper HVAC size is different for each home. Your HVAC system needs enough heating and cooling capacity to make your entire home comfortable. It shouldn't have to work extremely hard to keep up in extremely hot or chilly weather. However, an HVAC system that's oversized is inefficient, increases your energy expenses and can cause problems that make your home less enjoyable.

Critical Factors Professionals Consider for HVAC Sizing in Brookfield, CT

To choose the right HVAC system size for a home, the HVAC installation specialists at Central Air LLC carry out a Manual J load calculation to determine how many British Thermal Units (BTUs) are required to heat and cool and the home. A Manual J calculation evaluates several features of your home, such as:

  • Size of the home: The total area of the home is arguably the most important factor in picking the size of your HVAC system. How much space will your new HVAC system need to keep comfortable?
  • Home insulation: A fully insulated home retains the indoor temperature more efficiently, which can influence how much heating and cooling capacity you need.
  • Regional Climate: The local climate in Brookfield, CT, plays an important role in determining the appropriate size HVAC. Homes in hotter climates might need a system with a higher cooling capacity, while cooler regions may require less.
  • Number of windows: Windows can be a major source of energy loss. The number, dimensions, type of glass used, and whether they’re single paned or double pane can significantly impact heating and cooling requirements.
  • Amount of sun: A home that gets a considerable sunlight will automatically be warmer than one that doesn't, which influences central air sizing. Home placement in relation to prevailing winds and number of nearby shade trees also impact the appropriate HVAC size.

Most Common DIY HVAC Size Mistakes

A frequent mistake homeowners make when sizing their own HVAC system is to rely solely on square footage. While the square footage of your home has a major impact on what size HVAC you need, other factors also influence how much heating and cooling capacity is required to keep your home comfortable.

Another typical mistake is not employing a professional. It's vital to have a skilled HVAC technician perform a Manual J calculation, which takes all the essential elements into consideration to determine the appropriate HVAC size.

What Difference Does HVAC System Size Make?

An improperly sized system can cause comfort problems and drive up your monthly power bills. Here's a deep dive into the pitfalls of a incorrectly sized HVAC:

Issues with undersized HVAC systems:

  • Less longevity and breakdowns: HVAC systems that are too small often seem to run all the time to strive to maintain the temperature in a home, leading to excessive wear and tear. This can cause breakdowns and even require premature HVAC replacement.
  • An uncomfortable home: Small HVAC systems lack the necessary capacity to heat and cool your entire living space, 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 wasting your hard-earned money. A properly sized and energy-efficient HVAC system consumes less energy and helps to reduce your monthly bills.

Problems with HVAC systems that are too big

  • Wasted money: Larger HVAC systems are usually more costly, so investing in more heating and cooling capacity than your home needs is an unnecessary expense.
  • Less service life 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 equipment, shortening its service life or requiring HVAC repair.
  • Humidity issues: 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 result in indoor air quality issues, such as mold growth.

Get Professional HVAC Sizing and Replacement by Working with Central Air LLC  

Now that you have learned some of the factors that impact what HVAC system size is right for you, it's time to find a new heating and cooling system. Central Air LLC can help.

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

Call 203-357-5913 today to schedule your free estimate for HVAC installation in Brookfield, CT.