Finding the appropriate HVAC system size for your home is essential. It has a big impact on your comfort and your energy bills. In this HVAC sizing guide, the experts at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling will explain how to determine the correct size of heating and cooling system for your home, what factors they take into account and why picking the ideal size HVAC is so important to your convenience.

How Does HVAC System Size Affect Your Home Comfort and Efficiency

Proper HVAC size differs from home to home. Your HVAC system needs enough heating and cooling capacity to make your entire home comfortable. It shouldn't have to work extremely hard to keep up in extremely warm or frigid weather. However, an HVAC system that's too large is inefficient, wastes money and can lead to complications that make your home less enjoyable.

Crucial Factors Pros Consider for HVAC Sizing in Mechanicsville, VA

To determine the correct HVAC system size for a home, the HVAC installation experts at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling perform a Manual J load calculation to determine how many British Thermal Units (BTUs) are necessary to heat and cool and the home. A Manual J calculation evaluates multiple elements, such as:

  • Size of the home: The total area 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 have to keep comfortable?
  • Amount of insulation: A fully insulated home retains the indoor temperature better, which can impact how much heating and cooling capacity you demand.
  • Local Weather: The local climate in Mechanicsville, VA, has an important role in determining the appropriate size HVAC. Homes in sunnier climates may require a system with a higher cooling capacity, while cooler regions may demand less.
  • Number of windows: Windows can be a significant source of energy loss. The number, dimensions, type of glass used, and whether they’re single or double pane can significantly influence heating and cooling requirements.
  • Amount of sun: A home that receives a lot of sunlight will automatically be warmer than one that doesn't, which impacts central air sizing. Home placement in relation to prevailing winds and number of nearby shade trees also impact the proper HVAC size.

HVAC Size Mistakes Homeowners Often Make

A common mistake homeowners make when determining the size of their HVAC system is to focus only on square footage. While the square footage of your home has a significant impact on what size HVAC you need, other factors also influence how much heating and cooling capacity is required to keep your home cozy.

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

What Difference Does HVAC System Size Make?

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

Undersized HVAC system problems:

  • Less longevity and breakdowns: HVAC systems that don't have enough power often run constantly to attempt to regulate the temperature of a home, leading to excessive wear and tear. This can result in breakdowns and even require premature HVAC replacement.
  • An unpleasant home: Small HVAC systems don't have enough power to heat and cool your entire living space, which can result in hot, stuffy rooms or areas of your home that are far too cool.
  • Increased energy bills: An underpowered HVAC system that runs continuously trying to keep up uses more energy, increasing your monthly power bills and costing you money. A properly sized and energy-efficient HVAC system consumes less energy and helps to reduce your monthly bills.

Issues from oversized HVAC systems

  • Wasted money: Larger HVAC systems tend to cost more money, so investing in more heating and cooling capacity than your home needs is an unnecessary expense.
  • Less service life and breakdowns: HVAC systems that are excessively large often cycle on and off, referred to as short cycling. This can result in wear and tear on your machine, reducing its service life or requiring HVAC repair.
  • Humidity issues: An HVAC system should regulate indoor humidity, but an oversized HVAC system may lack adequate runtime to accomplish that task. This can cause indoor air quality issues, such as mold growth.

Get the Right HVAC System Size by Working With the Pros at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling  

Now that you know some of the factors that impact what HVAC system size is right for you, it's time to find a new heating and cooling system. Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can help.

We’ll evaluate your home and give you a free, no-obligation estimate for HVAC installation. We’ll evaluate your home to identify the most suitable HVAC system size for you, so you can experience comfort every day of the year.

Call 804-302-6657 today to book your free estimate for HVAC installation in Mechanicsville, VA.