When the time comes to upgrade your outdated furnace, it’s important to realize one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized properly for your home, will not only affect your comfort but can mean a shortened life of your furnace, and leave you spending extra money on your utility bills.

If you select a furnace oversized for your home, you’ll start to experience short cycles. This is because your oversized furnace heated your home too fast, turning off before the furnace can reach the right operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to a reduced life span and higher costs.

How can you be confident in the right furnace size for your home? Begin with a load calculation from the experts at Patterson & Stirling. A load calculation takes specifics from your home into consideration and identifies the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) needed to heat your space.

Some Items 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 needs to 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 leaving your home throughout the cold winter months. It also heavily affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system is required. Let the experts from Patterson & Stirling review the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you find a ideal 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—Factor in the range of weather you get in Erie. You’ll want a furnace that can keep up with the conditions of your climate every year, without overworking itself.

Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when choosing your new furnace. Let the qualified technicians at Patterson & Stirling help you pick a unit that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to get started, call us at 814-308-0416 or schedule an appointment online. Whether you have some questions about furnace size or want to learn more of the options for your space, we’re happy to help you out.