Oversizing your furnace comes with the risk of lower efficiency and higher cost. Incorrect furnace sizing could also make your home less comfortable.
Home heating is essential in Suffolk County, where winters can range from damp and cold to icy and freezing. Understanding the importance of furnace sizing can help you make the best decision when it’s time to upgrade.
How do Oversized Furnaces Waste Energy when Short Cycling?
Oversized furnaces waste energy because short-cycling forces more frequent, rapid heating cycles, rather than sustained heating with optimal energy consumption.
Short cycling is when a furnace goes through heating cycles that are significantly shorter than the optimal run time. These cycles are usually less than 15 minutes.
Here’s what happens when an oversized furnace short cycles:
- The furnace ignites.
- It quickly heats the air and then abruptly shuts down.
- The thermostat calls for heat again, and the cycle repeats.
The most energy-intensive step in a furnace cycle is the initial startup. It involves igniting the burners and starting the blower motor. Short cycling causes this process to repeat more than it would if the furnace were properly sized, which means wasted fuel and electricity.
In addition, short cycling means higher wear on parts, so the risk of early lifetime failure is higher. Any reputable HVAC installer near you will size a furnace to avoid short cycling.
What’s the Solution to a Short Cycling Furnace?
The only functional solution to a short cycling furnace is to avoid oversizing the installation. An oversized unit is one that has a significantly higher BTU than your home needs. It doesn’t matter how efficient the furnace is or the overall quality; if it’s oversized, then it’s not right for your home.
It’s counterintuitive to think about this, because bigger naturally suggests better. In the case of your furnace, you should be aiming for something that is just right for your needs.
Experienced HVAC contractors in Suffolk County avoid short cycling by performing a detailed load calculation. A comprehensive load calculation considers factors like:
- Your Local Climate: Although Long Island seems to have a consistent climate, there are actually variations depending on your home’s location, elevation, how close it is to the coast, and surrounding features like nearby homes or wooded areas.
- Orientation: Your home’s orientation to the sun can affect how it heats up and cools down during the day. This is a major factor in a load calculation.
- Insulation, Windows, and Doors: Insulation and the placement and size of windows and doors will affect heating and cooling efficiency. Your HVAC installer will consider specifics like the number and size of windows, their orientation, and whether or not they are insulated or made with Low E technology.
- Home Size: The size of your home is a crucial factor when sizing a new furnace. Larger homes require higher capacities, especially if air is centrally distributed to most rooms.
- Home Layout: The layout of your home is also crucial. If it’s a modern and open layout, then you might need more heating capacity than expected, due to the need to continuously heat an open space.
Getting an Accurate Load Calculation for Your Furnace Installation
Some contractors will simply ask you about the size of your home and how many rooms it has, and then recommend a furnace. This isn’t enough, and you should consider this type of approach to be a red flag. A serious heating contractor will ask questions about your insulation, layout, windows, and other specifics mentioned in the previous section. An initial estimate might be based on some broad details, and a follow-up on-site inspection will look at the specifics to ensure an accurate size recommendation.
Soundview HVAC is the best furnace installer near you. We have served the community since 2000, and are proud to offer accurate estimates and detailed load calculations. We design home heating solutions for comfort and efficiency, ensuring you get the best possible heating without overspending.
Is it time for your next furnace upgrade? Talk to us at 631-209-1744 for your free home comfort consultation today.
