Tips on how to choose the right sized HVAC system for your home.
If you are purchasing a new air conditioner (AC) or upgrading your old unit, it’s important that you choose an appropriately sized system for your home. A system that is too small or too big can have difficulties keeping you comfortable, operate less efficiently, require more maintenance and increase your overall operating costs. If the system is too small, it will not be able to generate enough cool or warm. If the system is too large, it will produce too much heating or cooling, wasting both energy. It’s unfortunate, but according to the U.S. Department of Energy, more than 50 percent of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) contractors don’t take the time to consider their customers’ needs and size their air conditioning systems appropriately.
When upgrading your original HVAC equipment, it isn’t a good idea to just simply run out and purchase something similar to your current system. It wasn’t too long ago that many air conditioning units were installed with as much as quadruple the cooling capacity required.
A good HVAC contractor will take into account these factors when sizing your new AC unit:
- Square footage and layout of your home
- The home’s geographic location
- Local year-round climate
- Amount of insulation in the home
- Cooling load for every room
- Age and efficiency of the ductwork
- Number of residents
- Comfort level preference
- Heat output and efficiency of all major home appliances
Oversized is more common than undersized when it comes to new HVAC system purchases. This creates numerous problems for the homeowner because not only is the oversized system more expensive, but it simply cannot operate at peak efficiency. Oversized air conditioning systems typically cycle on and off more frequently than they should, wasting energy and not running long enough to cool indoor air. This puts a significant strain on the HVAC equipment and increases your utility costs. In addition, it also creates a perfect environment for mold growth.
The cooling load in your home may also be affected if you have made any significant household changes to increase your home’s energy performance, such as:
- Installation of energy-efficient windows
- Sealing all air leaks
- Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs
- Replacing or adding insulation
When it is time for you to upgrade or purchase a new air conditioning unit for your home, consider researching and taking the time to choose the right size HVAC system.
Looking to upgrade or purchase a new HVAC system for your home? Contact the experts at MM Comfort Systems throughout the Seattle area to help with your Heating and Cooling needs.
MM Comfort experts can help you with repairs and servicing of your current HVAC system or help you choose the best heating and cooling options for your home, no matter how big or small it may be. Call us at 425.533.9058 or use our online contact form to arrange for a free heating and cooling consultation.
