How do I size my furnace?

When you need to replace your outdated furnace, it’s important to understand one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized properly for your home, will not only impact your comfort but can mean a shortened life of your furnace, and leave you with larger energy costs.

If you choose a unit oversized for your house, you’ll start to run into short cycles. This is because your oversized furnace heated your home too quickly, turning off before the furnace can reach the right operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to a decreased life span and higher costs.

How can you be confident in the proper furnace size for your home? Get started with a load calculation from the professionals at Patterson & Stirling. A load calculation takes specifics from your home into consideration and gauges the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) required to heat your house.

Some Factors that Influence Furnace Size

• Square Footage—What size is the area your furnace will need to heat? Your technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home may be accounted for during this process. Often, it is more beneficial to account only for the space that needs heating.
• Home Insulation—Insulation helps keep warm air from filtering out of your home through the cold winter months. It also strongly affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system will be necessary. Let the experts from Patterson & Stirling review the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you find a perfect furnace for your house.
• Type of Window—Just like your walls, the particular type of windows in your home, frame type, glaze type, gas fills/spaces, etc. will play into what heating and cooling needs your home requires.
• Outdoor Climate—Think about the range of weather you receive in Erie. You’ll want a furnace that can keep up with the conditions of your environment every year, without overworking itself.

Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when selecting your new furnace. Let the qualified technicians at Patterson & Stirling help you find a system that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to begin, you can reach us at 814-308-0416 or schedule an appointment online. Whether you have additional questions about furnace size or want to discuss options for your space, we’re happy to help you out.