Choosing the Right Size Furnace for Your Home

Furnaces come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. If you’re building a new home or retrofitting your existing house with a new heating system, you’re probably wondering what type of system is best for you. This is a big investment, and choosing the wrong type or size can lead to a big disappointment and a lot of cold days. Here’s how to choose the right size for your home in four simple steps.

Understanding BTUs

British thermal units, or BTUs, are the measurement of furnace heat output. A BTU equals the energy needed to raise a pound of water 1 degree. BTUs are used to measure output for both heating and cooling systems. The higher the number of BTUs, the more air your HVAC system can condition. Calculating the size of your furnace is important to make sure your home gets enough heat without having to spend big bucks on a high-output system.

Step 1: Determine Square Footage

First, determine the square footage of your home that you want to heat and cool. You can do this by measuring the length and width of each room and multiplying the numbers. Don’t forget to add square footage for rooms with high ceilings, and leave out rooms that you don’t plan to heat. For example, if you have a three-season porch or a garage, don’t worry about including it in the square footage unless you want them heated. Don’t include any rooms that don’t have ductwork, unless you plan on having additional ducts installed.

Step 2: Consider Your Geographic Zone

You’ll also need to take your geographic location into consideration. Colder climates with longer winters require larger furnaces. The furnace manufacturer will likely have a zone chart for each of its furnaces. Certain zones require a bare minimum of power, as a furnace has to work harder in constant cold. In climates like this, you’ll want more BTUs than your square footage calculations suggest.

Step 3: Research Manufacturer Specs

Ask furnace manufacturers for their zone charts and power output recommendations. Not all manufacturers follow the same zone classifications. In general, a 40,000-BTU furnace will heat a home between 800 and 1,350 square feet. Homes up to 2,000 square feet require a furnace with about 80,000 BTUs, and anything over 3,000 square feet will need a 120,000-BTU furnace. Keep in mind that heat rises, so a 2,000-square-foot home on two levels may need fewer BTUs than the same square footage laid out on one level.

Step 4: Consult With a Technician

Our Columbus Ohio furnace installation company can help you narrow your BTU calculations. They’ll take other factors into consideration when developing an estimate, including load capacities, geographic location, and energy efficiency. It’s also a good idea to have a technician run an energy audit on your home, which analyzes how much heat is lost through windows and doors. That way, you can be sure you’re getting the most out of every BTU.

Still not sure what size furnace you need? Contact Patriot Air for a furnace installation consultation. We offer home inspections to help you decide what size furnace is best for you.

Source: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/determine-proper-furnace-size-96417.html