When you need to update your outdated furnace, it’s important to realize one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized correctly for your home, will not only affect your comfort but can mean a shortened life of your furnace, and leave you with larger energy costs.

If you pick a furnace oversized for your house, you’ll start to run into short cycles. This is because your oversized furnace heated your home too quickly, turning off before the furnace can reach proper operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to a decreased life span and higher costs.

How can you be confident in the right furnace size for your home? Begin with a load calculation from the professionals at Contra Costa Heating & AC. A load calculation takes aspects from your home into consideration and identifies the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) needed to heat your home.

Some Factors that Influence Furnace Size

  • Square Footage—What size is the area your furnace will have to heat up? Your technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home may be included during this process. Often, it is more useful to account only for the space that needs heating.
  • Home Insulation—Insulation assists in keeping warm air from filtering out of your home during the cold winter months. It also heavily affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system will be necessary. Let the experts from Contra Costa Heating & AC review the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you select the best 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 influence your heating and cooling requirements.
  • Outdoor Climate—Consider the range of weather you experience in The Bay Area. You’ll want a furnace that can keep up with 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 Contra Costa Heating & AC help you identify a unit that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to get started, you can reach us at 510-343-9841 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.