When it comes to heating systems, size matters – but bigger doesn’t always mean better.
Right-sizing is critical to making sure that your furnace will run efficiently and keep you comfortable with the least amount of effort necessary.
Choose a furnace that is too small for your home and it will run constantly without ever reaching the temperature you want. That kind of overwork will cost you in the form of higher bills and more wear and tear on your equipment.
Interestingly, a different kind of overworking can happen if the furnace is too large. A system that is oversized will cycle (switch on and off) too frequently, which also wears out your equipment and burns more fuel.
While getting a furnace that is too large is preferable to installing one that is too small, it’s still not an optimal use of your hard-earned money—especially considering the fact that you’ll usually pay more for a larger unit.
The size of furnace you need depends mainly on the size of your home—although there’s more to the equation than that (see below). In an average-size home in Manchester Center, VT (about 1,500 square feet), you’ll need about 35-40 BTUs per square foot—meaning you’ll need a 50,000-60,000 BTU unit, all other things being equal (which, of course, they’re not!).
A number of other factors can affect your ideal furnace size. For example, a well-insulated home won’t need as much heating power as one that isn’t insulated to recommended R-levels. A home with lots of windows and several levels will present a heavier heating load to a furnace than a home lacking those features, which means more horsepower will be needed.
While you can make a rough estimate for the size furnace you’ll need with simple formulas, it really pays to have a pro assess your home and properly fit a furnace to your unique conditions. At Dorr Oil, we offer FREE, no obligation estimates on furnace installation in Vermont, so you can make an informed decision about your home heating system. An investment now allows you better flexibility on installation times—and you’ll be ready to go for that first chilly evening in late August.
To learn more about furnace installations in greater Manchester, VT, contact the pros at Dorr Oil today!