What size furnace do I need?

When it’s time to replace your outdated furnace, it’s important to know that one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized correctly for your home, will not only hurt your comfort but can lead to shortened life of your furnace, and leave you stuck with higher energy bills.

If you choose a unit oversized for your space, you’ll start to experience short cycles. This is because your oversized furnace heated your home too fast, turning off before the furnace can reach the right operating temperatures. An undersized or oversized system can lead to a shortened life span and bigger expenses.

How can you be confident in the proper furnace size for your home? Start with a load calculation from the experts at Contra Costa Heating & AC. A load calculation takes specifics from your home into consideration and gauges the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) necessary to heat your space.

Some Items that Influence Furnace Size

• Square Footage—What size is the area your furnace will have to heat up? A technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home needs to be included during this process. Usually, it is more useful to account only for the space that needs heating.
• Home Insulation—Insulation assists in keeping warm air from leaving your home during the cold winter months. It also heavily affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system you’ll need. Let the experts from Contra Costa Heating & AC evaluate the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you find a ideal 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 experience in The Bay Area. You’ll want a furnace that can keep up with the conditions of your area every year, without overworking itself.

Don’t settle for ‘close enough’ when choosing your new furnace. Let the qualified technicians at Contra Costa Heating & AC help you identify a unit that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to start the process, 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, our experts are happy to help you out.