What size furnace do I need?

When you need to update your outdated furnace, it’s important to realize one size does not fit all.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 spending extra money on your utility bills.

If you choose a furnace oversized for your home, you’ll start to run into short cycles. This means your oversized furnace heated your home too fast, turning off before the furnace can reach proper operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to a shortened life span and higher costs.

How can you be sure you know the proper furnace size for your home? Begin with a load calculation from the team at Patterson & Stirling. A load calculation takes aspects from your home into account and identifies the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) needed to heat your house.

Some Factors that Influence Furnace Size

• Square Footage—What size is the area your furnace will have to heat up? Your technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home may be included during this process. Usually, it is more beneficial 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 you’ll need. Let the team from Patterson & Stirling take a look at the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you find a best 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 influence your heating and cooling requirements.
• Outdoor Climate—Consider the range of weather you receive in Erie. 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 selecting your new furnace. Let the professionals at Patterson & Stirling help you pick a unit that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to start the process, you can reach us at 814-308-0416 or book an appointment online. Whether you have some questions about furnace size or want to chat about options for your space, our team is happy to help you out.