What size furnace do I need?

January 31, 2019

When it’s time to replace your outdated furnace, it’s important to realize one size does not fit all.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 with larger energy costs.

If you pick a system oversized for your house, you’ll start to notice short cycles. This is because your oversized furnace heated your home too fast, turning off before the furnace can reach correct operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to reduced lifespan and higher costs.

How can you be certain about the proper furnace size for your home? Start with a load calculation from the professionals at Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc. A load calculation takes aspects from your home into review and identifies the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) necessary to heat your home.

Some Items that Influence Furnace Size

  • Square Footage—What size is the area your furnace will be heating? Your technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home needs to be included during this process. Many times, it is more valuable to account only for the space that needs heating.
  • Home Insulation—Insulation helps keep warm air from leaving your home through the cold winter months. It also strongly affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system you’ll need. Let the professionals from Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc take a look at the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you find a perfect furnace for your house.
  • Type of Window— Just like your walls, the specific type of windows in your home, frame type, glaze type, gas fills/spaces, etc. will play into what heating and cooling needs your home requires.
  • Outdoor Climate—Think about the range of weather you get in Rockford. You’ll want a furnace that can sustain the conditions of your climate every year, without overworking itself.

Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when selecting your new furnace. Let the professionals at Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc help you identify a solution that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to start the process, you can reach us at (815)914-6197 or schedule an appointment online. Whether you have additional questions about furnace size or want to chat about options for your space, our team is happy to help you out.