An efficient, well-maintained HVAC system is an integral part of your home, one that prolongs the life of your investment by keeping moisture levels and temperatures consistent. By preventing excessive swings in temperatures and humidity, a functioning HVAC system also insulates your belongings and appliances from additional stress. Having an HVAC system that fits your living space is critical to its proper functioning.
It’s crucial to consult a professional team of HVAC installers and technicians when preparing to install or replace a heating and cooling system. They can measure your living space and recommend the best match for your needs.
How and Why an HVAC System Is Sized for a Home
The benefits of having an HVAC system that’s properly sized to your home are many:
- Better performance
- Costs less to run
- Lasts longer
- Easier to maintain
- Improves your enjoyment of your home
- Balances moisture in the air
The word “size” is a simplification of a heating/cooling system’s measurement. In fact, “capacity” is more accurate, and that’s quantified in British Thermal Units, or BTUs. One ton of cooling is equal to about 12,000 BTUs an hour. When calculating the amount of heating or cooling power you need, a professional HVAC installation team will use the Manual J formula that considers all of the features of your home, such as:
- Square footage
- Number of windows
- Type of insulation
- Amount of air leaking from the home
- Location (such as near the ocean, or in a colder corner of the state)
- Climate, including temperatures and moisture levels
- Existing ductwork and/or the availability of space for new ducts
It’s important to ask your installer what calculations are being used to determine the proper system size. Particularly in climates like Connecticut’s, where humidity plays a big role and temperatures can feel extreme, relying solely on a calculation of square footage is not enough. A formula that takes into account all of the factors listed above is much more accurate and likely to result in a precisely sized unit for the space. Also ask about the efficiency rating of the system they recommend, as it reflects the operating costs.
A big system may sound like a good idea but it’s as wrong as a system that’s too small. If an oversized HVAC system is installed it can “short cycle,” which means it turns on very briefly to heat or cool the living space, then shuts off again when the thermostat detects the desired temperature. This causes unnecessary wear and tear on compressors, blowers, and coils, potentially causing them to wear out more quickly.
If you think that you’ll save money with a small system, that’s also a misunderstanding. A small system will strain to heat or cool your home, causing the motors and blowers to run too frequently and for too long. Along with rarely heating or cooling rooms to your desired temperatures, the too-frequent cycling wears out the components of your system. Energy costs are also higher with a poorly-sized system that frequently starts and stops.
Humidity is a big factor in HVAC size and function. A system that is too big and is on a frequent, short cycle can’t circulate the air thoroughly to remove moisture. A small system that runs too often and too long will also strain to circulate air appropriately, with similar results. Too much interior moisture can damage a home over time, including allowing mold growth and harming plaster walls and wood floors with saturation cycles.
Look into the future when discussing a new HVAC system. Tell your installer if you plan to finish the basement or renovate and add on a room. This information allows for future expansion of the system and more appropriate sizing.
Professionalism Matters, Just Like Size
Finding a professional HVAC company, like Unified Home Solutions, is key to getting the right system for your home. Knowledgeable technicians and installers work efficiently to provide you the right solution to your heating and cooling needs. Call for a free consultation.