Choosing the appropriate HVAC system size for your home is vital. It affects your comfort and your energy bills. In this HVAC sizing guide, the specialists at Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning will explain how to determine the right size of heating and cooling system for your home, what features they take into account and why selecting the best size HVAC is so important to your satisfaction.

How Does HVAC System Size Affect Your Home Comfort and Efficiency

Proper HVAC size varies for each home. Your HVAC system needs enough heating and cooling capacity to make your entire home comfortable. It shouldn't struggle to keep up in extremely warm or frigid weather. However, an HVAC system that's too large is inefficient, increases your energy expenses and can lead to complications that make your home less enjoyable.

Crucial Features Pros Consider for HVAC Sizing in Northglenn, CO

To choose the right HVAC system size for a home, the HVAC installation experts at Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning carry out a Manual J load calculation to determine how many British Thermal Units (BTUs) are needed to heat and cool and the home. A Manual J calculation evaluates multiple features of your home, such as:

  • Square footage: The size of the home is arguably the most important factor in picking the size of your HVAC system. How much space will your new HVAC system need to heat and cool?
  • Amount of insulation: A properly insulated home retains the indoor temperature better, which can impact how much heating and cooling power you need.
  • Climate: The local climate in Northglenn, CO, plays a significant role in determining the appropriate size HVAC. Homes in hotter climates may require a system with a higher cooling capacity, while chillier regions may require less.
  • Window placement and size: Windows can be a considerable source of energy loss. The number, dimensions, type of glass used, and whether they’re single paned or double paned can greatly influence heating and cooling requirements.
  • Sun and shade: A home that receives a substantial sunlight will automatically be warmer than one that doesn't, which impacts central air sizing. Positioning in relation to prevailing winds and number of nearby shade trees also affect the correct HVAC size.

Common HVAC Size Mistakes to Avoid

A common mistake homeowners make when sizing their own HVAC system is to rely solely on square footage. Although the square footage of your home has a big impact on what size HVAC you need, other considerations also influence how much heating and cooling capacity is necessary to keep your home pleasant.

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

Why Is Your Home HVAC System Size Important?

An incorrectly sized system can result in comfort problems and increase expenses. Here's a deep dive into the pitfalls of a wrong-sized HVAC:

Problems with HVAC systems that are too small:

  • Shorter system life and breakdowns: HVAC systems that are too small often seem to run all the time to try to heat or cool a home, leading to excessive wear and tear. This can lead to breakdowns and even require premature HVAC replacement.
  • An unpleasant home: Small HVAC systems are too weak to heat and cool your whole home, which can lead to hot, stuffy rooms or areas of your home that are far too cool.
  • Higher energy expenses: An underpowered HVAC system that runs continuously trying to keep up uses more energy, increasing your monthly power bills and wasting your hard-earned money. A properly sized and energy-efficient HVAC system consumes less energy and helps to lower your monthly bills.

Issues from oversized HVAC systems

  • Unnecessary expenses: Larger HVAC systems tend to cost more money, so buying more heating and cooling capacity than your home requires is an unnecessary expense.
  • Shorter system life and breakdowns: HVAC systems that are oversized often start and stop frequently, referred to as short cycling. This can lead to wear and tear on your machine, reducing its service life or requiring HVAC repair.
  • Humidity issues: An HVAC system should control the moisture level in your home, but an oversized HVAC system often completes its cycle before it has time to accomplish that task. This can result in indoor air quality issues, and encourage the growth of mildew or mold.

Get Help Replacing or Sizing Your Home HVAC System from Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning  

Now that you understand some of the things that impact what HVAC system size is right for you, it's time to select a new heating and cooling system. Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help.

We’ll evaluate your home and provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate for HVAC installation. We’ll assess your home to identify the most suitable HVAC system size for you, so you can have a comfortable home every day of the year.

Call 303-452-4146 today to set up your free estimate for HVAC installation in Northglenn, CO.