When it’s time to upgrade your outdated furnace, it’s important to know that one size does not fit all.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

If you pick a furnace oversized for your house, you’ll start to experience short cycles. This means your oversized furnace heated your home too quickly, 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 confident in the correct furnace size for your home? Start with a load calculation from the professionals at Childress Heating & AC. A load calculation takes specifics from your home into review and gauges the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) necessary to heat your house.

Some Items that Influence Furnace Size

  • Square Footage—How large is the area your furnace will have to heat up? A 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. Many times, it is more useful to account only for the space that needs heating.
  • Home Insulation—Insulation works to keep warm air from escaping your home through the cold winter months. It also greatly affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system is required. Let the professionals from Childress Heating & AC evaluate the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you select the ideal furnace for your house.
  • Type of Window—Just like your walls, the certain type of windows in your home, frame type, glaze type, gas fills/spaces, etc. will influence your heating and cooling requirements.
  • Outdoor Climate—Think about the range of weather you get in Fredericksburg. You’ll want a furnace that can keep up with the conditions of your area every year, without overworking itself.

Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when picking your new furnace. Let the professionals at Childress Heating & AC help you identify a system that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to start the process, contact us at 540-675-4306 or schedule an appointment online. Whether you have a few more questions about furnace size or want to chat about options for your space, our experts are happy to help you out.