What Size Heating and Air Conditioning System Do I Need?

When you’re in the market for a new HVAC system, you want to make the best decision for your family’s heating and cooling needs, which means purchasing a system that’ll function well and last a long time. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t base your selections just on the size of your home. There are many other factors that go into determining the ideal size system for you, including the materials used to build the walls of your house, the type of windows and insulation, the condition of the attic and more. Ultimately, your best bet is to call an HVAC professional for a thorough home assessment.

Below is some information to help you choose the right size HVAC installation for your St. George, UT home, as well as other important factors to consider.

Get the right size

The size of a heating and cooling system is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU), and it refers to the heating or cooling capacity of a specific unit, not the physical size of the furnace and air conditioner themselves. A furnace’s BTU measures the heat per hour the unit can generate, and an air conditioner’s BTU measures the heat the unit can extract from the indoor air per hour. The BTU requirements for your house will depend on the square footage of your living space, number of windows, type and amount of insulation and how well the home is sealed from outside air.

Only a qualified HVAC technician can conduct a sizing survey. Once they gather this information, they can suggest the best units with the specifications that match these BTU requirements. Accurate sizing is a crucial step, as over-sizing or under-sizing the unit will waste energy, cost more to use and make for an uncomfortable indoor environment.

Understand energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is built into modern-day furnaces and air conditioners. Manufacturers perform tests on their equipment to determine the energy efficiency of their units. An energy rating label is displayed on the unit, which is expressed using the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating for air conditioners. Units with a higher SEER rating will cost more initially, but save more energy and money on your monthly energy bills over the long term.

Replace all essential parts to a central AC

There are two main components to a central air conditioning system: an indoor air handler/evaporative coil and an outdoor condenser/compressor unit. If you need to replace one of these parts, seriously consider replacing all of them, because mixing old parts with new components can reduce efficiency and increase energy needs.

Other household factors

Before installing a brand-new HVAC system in your house, find out if the current electrical system will support it and the age and condition of the ductwork. In the case of some older homes, it’s worth it to replace the ductwork at the same time as the HVAC units. The ducts may need to be larger to accommodate the new airflow volume.

For more information about new heating and cooling units or to schedule HVAC installation in St. George, UT, contact Calaway Heating & Air Conditioning. Your indoor comfort is our number one priority!

Categorised in: HVAC Installation

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