Finding the appropriate HVAC system size for your home is crucial. It impacts your home enjoyment and your power expenses. In this HVAC sizing guide, the professionals at The Air Squad will explain how to choose the correct size of heating and cooling system for your home, what features they take into account and why picking the best size HVAC is so important to your convenience.

What Impact Does HVAC System Size Make on Home Comfort and Efficiency

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

Key Factors Pros Consider for HVAC Sizing in West Palm Beach, FL

To determine the correct HVAC system size for a home, the HVAC installation experts at The Air Squad conduct 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 features of your home, such as:

  • Square footage: The total area of the home is arguably the most significant factor in choosing the size of your HVAC system. How much space will your new HVAC system need to keep comfortable?
  • Amount of insulation: A well- insulated home maintains the indoor temperature better, which can affect how much heating and cooling power you demand.
  • Regional Climate: The local climate in West Palm Beach, FL, plays a significant role in finding the appropriate size HVAC. Homes in sunnier climates may require a system with an increased cooling capacity, while chillier regions may need less.
  • Number of windows: Windows can be a considerable source of energy loss. The number, size, type of glass used, and whether they’re single paned or double paned can considerably influence heating and cooling requirements.
  • Sun exposure: A home that gets a considerable sunlight will inherently be warmer than one that doesn't, which affects central air sizing. Orientation in relation to prevailing winds and number of nearby shade trees also impact the appropriate HVAC size.

Most Common DIY HVAC Size Mistakes

A frequent mistake homeowners make when choosing the size of home HVAC system is to focus only on square footage. While the square footage of your home has a major impact on what size HVAC you need, other elements also influence how much heating and cooling capacity is required to keep your home comfortable.

Another typical mistake is not engaging a professional. It's essential to have an experienced HVAC technician conduct a Manual J calculation, which takes all the essential elements into consideration to establish the appropriate HVAC size.

What Difference Does HVAC System Size Make?

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

Problems with HVAC systems that are too small:

  • Shorter system life and breakdowns: HVAC systems that don't have enough power often operate continuously to try to heat or cool a home, leading to excessive wear and tear. This can cause breakdowns and even require premature HVAC replacement.
  • An uncomfortable home: Small HVAC systems are too weak to heat and cool your whole home, which can result in hot, stuffy rooms or areas of your home that are uncomfortably cold.
  • Higher energy bills: An underpowered HVAC system that runs continuously trying to keep up uses more energy, driving up your monthly power bills and wasting your hard-earned money. A properly sized and energy-efficient HVAC system uses less power and helps to reduce your monthly bills.

Oversized HVAC system problems

  • Wasted money: Larger HVAC systems typically have a higher purchase price, so purchasing more heating and cooling capacity than your home needs is a waste of money.
  • Reduced lifespan and breakdowns: HVAC systems that are excessively large often cycle on and off, referred to as short cycling. This can cause wear and tear on your equipment, reducing its service life or requiring HVAC repair.
  • Excessive indoor humidity: An HVAC system should balance indoor air moisture, but an oversized HVAC system may lack adequate runtime to accomplish that task. This can cause indoor air quality issues, and encourage the growth of mildew or mold.

Get the Right HVAC System Size by Working With the Pros at The Air Squad  

Now that you know some of the factors that impact what HVAC system size is right for you, it's time to select a new heating and cooling system. The Air Squad is ready to help.

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

Call 561-223-8489 today to set up your free estimate for HVAC installation in West Palm Beach, FL.