Your furnace is the heart of your home heating system. It works hard all winter long pumping air through the ducts and into your home so that you stay warm and comfortable no matter the outdoor conditions.

But in order to reach and maintain a desired level of warmth, a furnace must be sized correctly. So how do you know what size of furnace you need? Read on to learn what factors to consider when calculating the size of a furnace.

Why Is Furnace Sizing Important?

Purchasing the right size furnace for your home will ensure you’re comfortable and don’t spend more on heating than you need to. Oversized and undersized furnaces will both lead to several problems.

A furnace that is too small will struggle to heat your home. These are some of the issues you may encounter:

• Long cycles
• Uneven heating throughout your home
• High heating bills
• Frequent furnace break downs

On the other hand, a furnace that is too big will run inefficiently and will short cycle. Below are some symptoms of a too-large furnace:

• Some rooms hotter than others
• Furnace turns on and off frequently
• Noticeably shorter furnace lifespan
• More energy used, leading to higher heating bills

Factors That Impact Furnace Size

Determining the correct furnace size for your home involves considering various factors that influence your heating needs.

• Home Size: The size of your home is the biggest determining factor in what size of furnace you need. A furnace has to be big enough to provide heat to every area of your home with minimal waste. The square footage of your home is the number you need to know to get the baseline for the size of furnace you need.
• Efficiency: Furnaces have a rating based on their Average Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), or efficiency. While this may not have a direct impact on the heating a furnace provides, it will impact how much energy it uses. A furnace with a higher efficiency rating will heat your home using less energy.
• Climate: The region you live in has a huge impact on furnace sizing due to varying climates. In colder regions like ours, for example, you’ll typically need a larger furnace with more heating power to combat freezing temperatures. Conversely, in milder climates, a smaller furnace may suffice since the temperature doesn’t drop as low during the winter months.
• Insulation: Another factor to consider is your home’s insulation. A furnace’s job is to pump heat into your home. Insulation’s job is to keep that heat trapped inside. Poor insulation will allow warmed air to escape, causing your furnace to work harder to maintain a desired temperature, which will raise your heating bills.
• Age of Home: Newer homes are built to be more energy efficient than ever, so they are able to retain more heated air, taking pressure off the heating system. However, an older home with sub-par insulation and drafty windows and doors will allow more heated air to escape.
• Windows and Home Facing: Speaking of windows, a home will naturally be warmer if it gets more sun exposure. The number of windows a home has and the direction they are facing will affect how much ambient heat is in the home.
• Layout: The layout of your home will also affect how well your furnace performs. Does your home have an open layout or are there are a lot of small rooms that can trap heat? What’s more, multi-story homes may require zoned heating for optimum heating efficiency.

If you’re worried that your furnace may not make it one more winter, or are experiencing any of the problems associated with a poorly-sized furnace, contact the home comfort pros at C&D Cooling & Heating for in-home heating consultation. We’ll discuss your heating needs and budget and recommend the best option for your home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.