Buying a new furnace is a big investment. You want to be sure you are getting the most efficient and comfortable heating for your home. When it comes to furnaces, one size does not fit all. To get the most efficient and comfortable heating for your home, you need to know how to size a furnace.
Here are a few steps to help you choose the right size furnace for your home.
Importance of Knowing The Right Furnace Size
Furnaces are like Goldilocks’ porridge: you need one that is just perfect for your house. It could be tempting to buy a smaller furnace to save money on the purchase price or to buy a bigger one to optimize space heating.
An excessively large furnace will operate erratically. It is terrible since it will affect efficiency, increase maintenance, and shorten the furnace’s lifetime while also causing hot and cold areas around the home.
A furnace that is too tiny will constantly run and yet be unable to maintain a reasonable temperature in your house. Your energy costs will go up, maintenance issues will arise, and the furnace’s lifespan will shorten due to the additional effort.
What are BTUs?
BTUs are how furnace sizes are measured. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, which is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
How to Calculate The Size of Furnace Needed?
A few steps are involved in calculating the size of furnace you need for your home. But don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds!
Determine the square footage of your home
The first step is to determine how much space you need to heat. To do this, you’ll need to know the square footage of your home. You can do this by measuring the length and width of each room and then multiplying those numbers together. Once you have the square footage of each room, add them all together to get the total square footage of your home.
Determine the BTUs needed to heat your home
Once you know the square footage of your home, you can calculate how many BTUs you’ll need to heat it. Do it by multiplying the square footage of your home by 20. So, if your home is 1,000 square feet, you would need 20,000 BTUs to heat it.
Choose a furnace with the appropriate BTU rating.
Now that you know how many BTUs you’ll need to heat your home, you can choose a furnace with the appropriate BTU rating. Keep in mind that manufacturers typically overrate their furnaces by about 10%. So, if you’re looking for a furnace with a 20,000 BTU rating, you should choose one with a 22,000 BTU rating.
Consider other factors
There are a few other factors you’ll need to consider when choosing a furnace, such as the climates you live in and your home type.
If you live in a climate with extreme weather conditions, you may need a furnace with a higher BTU rating. It is because extreme cold or heat can cause your furnace to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.
You may also need a furnace with a higher BTU rating if you have a large home with high ceilings. It will take more heat to reach the upper levels of your home.
Get a professional opinion.
The best way to be sure you’re choosing the right furnace for your home is to get a professional opinion. A qualified HVAC contractor will be able to consider all of the factors and help you choose the perfect furnace for your needs.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to size a furnace, you can be sure you’re choosing the right one for your home. Remember to consider the square footage of your home, the climate you live in, and the type of home you have when making your decision. And don’t forget to get a professional opinion to be sure you’re choosing the best furnace for your needs.
Sizing a furnace is an important process that you should not take lightly. By following the steps above, you can be sure you’re choosing the right size furnace for your home. And when it comes to furnaces, size does matter!
