Selecting the right HVAC system size for your home is crucial. It impacts your comfort and your energy bills. In this HVAC sizing guide, the professionals at Patterson & Stirling will explain how to determine the best size of heating and cooling system for your home, what factors they take into account and why selecting the most suitable size HVAC is so important to your convenience.

Why HVAC System Size Matters for Home Comfort and Efficiency

Proper HVAC size varies for each home. Your HVAC system needs sufficient heating and cooling capacity to make your entire home pleasant. It shouldn't struggle to keep up in extremely hot or frigid weather. However, an HVAC system that's too big is inefficient, wastes money and can cause problems that make your home less comfortable.

Critical Features Professionals Consider for HVAC Sizing in Fairview, PA

To determine the appropriate HVAC system size for a home, the HVAC installation experts at Patterson & Stirling perform a Manual J load calculation to determine how many British Thermal Units (BTUs) are needed to heat and cool and the home. A Manual J calculation evaluates several elements, such as:

  • Home size: The size of the home is arguably the most significant factor in picking the size of your HVAC system. How much space will your new HVAC system need to keep comfortable?
  • Insulation levels in the home: A fully insulated home retains the indoor temperature more efficiently, which can affect how much heating and cooling power you need.
  • Local Weather: The local climate in Fairview, PA, has an important role in identifying the right size HVAC. Homes in hotter climates might need a system with a higher cooling capacity, while milder regions may require less.
  • Window size: Windows can be a considerable source of energy loss. The number, dimensions, type of glass used, and whether they’re single paned or double paned can significantly affect heating and cooling requirements.
  • Sun and shade: A home that receives a substantial sunlight will inherently be warmer than one that doesn't, which impacts central air sizing. Orientation in relation to prevailing winds and number of nearby shade trees also influence the proper HVAC size.

Most Common DIY HVAC Size Mistakes

A common mistake homeowners make when determining the size of their HVAC system is to rely solely on square footage. Although the square footage of your home has a major impact on what size HVAC you need, other considerations also influence how much heating and cooling capacity is required to keep your home pleasant.

Another typical mistake is not hiring a professional. It's crucial to have an experienced HVAC technician perform a Manual J calculation, which takes all the essential aspects of your home into consideration to establish the right HVAC size.

Why Is Your Home HVAC System Size Important?

An inadequately sized system can result in comfort problems and cost you money. Here's a detailed view of the pitfalls of a incorrectly sized HVAC:

Issues with undersized HVAC systems:

  • Shorter system life and breakdowns: HVAC systems that don't have enough power often seem to run all the time to attempt to regulate the temperature of a home, leading to increased wear and tear. This can lead to breakdowns and even require premature HVAC replacement.
  • An unpleasant home: Small HVAC systems lack the necessary capacity to heat and cool your whole home, which can lead to hot, stuffy rooms or areas of your home that are uncomfortably cold.
  • Higher energy expenses: An underpowered HVAC system that operates nonstop trying to keep up uses more energy, increasing your monthly power bills and wasting your hard-earned money. A properly sized and energy-efficient HVAC system operates more efficiently and helps to reduce your monthly bills.

Issues from oversized HVAC systems

  • Wasted money: Larger HVAC systems are usually more costly, so buying more heating and cooling capacity than your home needs is a waste of money.
  • Reduced lifespan and breakdowns: HVAC systems that are excessively large often cycle on and off, referred to as short cycling. This can cause wear and tear on your machine, reducing its service life or requiring HVAC repair.
  • Excessive indoor humidity: An HVAC system should regulate indoor humidity, but an oversized HVAC system might not run long enough to accomplish that task. This can lead to indoor air quality issues, such as mold growth.

Get Professional HVAC Sizing and Replacement by Working with Patterson & Stirling  

Now that you have learned some of the aspects of your home that impact what HVAC system size is right for you, it's time to select a new heating and cooling system. Patterson & Stirling is here to help.

We’ll evaluate your home and provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate for HVAC installation. We’ll assess your home to identify the best HVAC system size for you, so you can have a comfortable home every day of the year.

Call 814-308-0416 today to schedule your free estimate for HVAC installation in Fairview, PA.