Finding the right size for your HVAC system can save you time and money in the long run. In addition, it will also increase the energy efficiency of your home for you and your family to live comfortably. A well-heated or cooled house is more likely by selecting the right-sized HVAC system, instead of using a conventional oversized system. Choosing a right-sized HVAC system is especially significant when it comes to the extreme heat and humidity of eastern Texas in the Lufkin and Nacogdoches areas. Read on to discover how important it is to have a correctly sized HVAC system for your home.
Oversized HVAC Systems Cost More Money
If you have a larger HVAC system than your home needs, it will work harder to heat or to cool your home. Larger systems use more energy to start and frequently turn on and off (short-cycle) without properly dehumidifying your home.
The high bursts of heat from the furnace also do not properly heat the home and use more energy. For example, during the hot summer days, some consumers saw an increase in their electric bill, which was correlated to oversized HVAC systems. The wasted energy translates into more energy costs in the long run that you could save with a properly sized HVAC system.
Correct Sizing Calculation is Now the Norm
Presently, the U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy insists homeowners hire contractors who offer load calculation in their HVAC installation services. This way, homeowners will have a blueprint of their home’s optimal HVAC system. This is done through a software-run Manual J procedure, which takes into consideration aspects such as the house’s orientation, window types, and air leakage rate, to name a few. By going through the load calculation, homeowners can be sure they will receive the right-sized HVAC for their home.
Improper HVAC Systems Won’t Deliver Comfort
As previously noted, having an oversized HVAC system will not help to dehumidify your home properly because of its short cycling. The system doesn’t run long enough to allow condensation to go off the coils, and thus remove humidity from the air in your house. When it comes to the heater, a furnace that is too large for the house heats some rooms more than others. It distributes the heat unevenly and too quickly, making some rooms colder than others. There is little chance you and your family will feel comfortable all year round if the HVAC system doesn’t work efficiently.
Be Careful Who You Hire
Although international and national law codes recommend Manual J calculations, most contractors continue to use a rule-of-thumb guess as to the correctly sized HVAC system a home needs. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy continues to advise homeowners to choose a contractor who knows about load calculations and its significance to a specific system designed for your home. This means more often than not, larger-than-needed HVAC systems are installed in many U.S. homes.
It’s important to make sure you understand the significance of having the right-sized HVAC system and how we use load calculations to figure out which size is right for your home. A right-sized HVAC system will not only maximize your house’s energy efficiency; it will also make your family want to stay home any time of the year. A properly sized HVAC system will eliminate wasteful energy and save you money. However, in order to do this, a licensed professional knowledgeable in HVAC systems needs to install it properly.
Depending on your circumstance, whether you are installing an HVAC system for a newly built home or replacing an old HVAC for a more energy-efficient system, a right-sized HVAC will help your bottom line.
If you are looking to save money and time in the long run as an East Texas homeowner, make sure your heating and cooling system is working properly and efficiently. McWilliams & Son Heating and Air Conditioning is a long-standing, third-generation company. Visit our website or give us a call at 877-936-1974.
Image provided by Shutterstock
