What size furnace do I need?

January 31, 2019

When the time comes to upgrade your outdated furnace, it’s important to realize one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized properly for your home, will not only hurt your comfort, but can mean a shortened life of your furnace, and leave you spending extra money on your utility bills.

If you select a system oversized for your home, you’ll start to experience short cycles. The reason is that your oversized furnace heated your home too rapidly, turning off before the furnace can reach correct operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to reduced lifespan and cost you more in energy bills.

How can you be confident in the correct furnace size for your home? Get started with a load calculation from the experts at Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning. A load calculation takes specifics from your home into review and gauges the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) needed to heat your space.

Some Factors that Influence Furnace Size

  • Square Footage—How big is the area your furnace will need to heat? Your technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home will be accounted for during this process. Many times, it is more valuable to account only for the space that needs heating.
  • Home Insulation—Insulation works to keep warm air from leaving your home during the cold winter months. It also heavily affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system is required. Let the experts from Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning evaluate the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you choose the best furnace for your house.
  • Type of Window— Just like your walls, the certain type of windows in your home, frame type, glaze type, gas fills/spaces, etc. will have an impact on the heating and cooling needs of your home.
  • Outdoor Climate—Consider the range of weather you receive in Savage. You’ll want a furnace that can sustain the conditions of your area every year, without overworking itself.

Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when picking your new furnace. Let the experts at Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning help you identify a solution that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to begin, contact us at 952-373-0377 or schedule an appointment online. Whether you have a few more questions about furnace size or want to learn more of the options for your space, we’re happy to help you out.