What size furnace do I need?

When the time comes to upgrade your outdated furnace, it’s important to know that one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized correctly for your home, will not only affect your comfort but can result in shortened life of your furnace, and leave you stuck with higher energy bills.

If you pick a system oversized for your home, you’ll start to experience short cycles. The reason is that your oversized furnace heated your home too quickly, turning off before the furnace can reach proper operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to a shortened life span and bigger expenses.

How can you be certain about the correct furnace size for your home? Start with a load calculation from the professionals at Southeast Heating & Cooling. A load calculation takes aspects from your home into consideration and identifies the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) necessary to heat your house.

Some Items that Influence Furnace Size

• Square Footage: How large is the area your furnace will be heating? A technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home needs to be considered during this process. Usually, it is more valuable to account only for the space that needs heating.
• Home Insulation: Insulation helps keep warm air from escaping your home throughout the cold winter months. It also greatly affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system will be necessary. Let the professionals from Southeast Heating & Cooling review the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you select the perfect furnace for your house.
• Type of Window: Just like your walls, the specific type of windows in your home, frame type, glaze type, gas fills/spaces, etc. will have an impact on the heating and cooling needs of your home.
• Outdoor Climate: Factor in the range of weather you get in Sugar Hill. You’ll want a furnace that can handle the conditions of your environment every year, without overworking itself.

Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when choosing your new furnace. Let the qualified technicians at Southeast Heating & Cooling help you identify a unit that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to begin, contact us or schedule an appointment online. Whether you have a few more questions about furnace size or want to learn more of the options for your space, our team is happy to help you out.