If you have a gas furnace in your home or want to install one, it’s essential to check that you have the right size. The wrong sized furnace may drive up your costs or fail to maintain the temperature you want. Here’s how to tell whether your equipment is right for your home and how to choose a new setup which fits.

Signs Your Furnace Is the Wrong Size

A furnace that is too small or large will not be able to consistently and effectively heat the home. This can lead to:

• Incorrect Temperatures in the Home: A small furnace may not produce enough heat for the space, while a large one may quickly overheat some areas.

• Heater Constantly Running: If your furnace cannot keep up with your heating needs, it will run constantly, using excess energy without reaching the target temperature.

• Heat Starting & Stopping: A powerful heater will reach the target soon after turning on, leading it to turn on and off frequently.

• Hot & Cold Spots: Both large and small heating equipment cannot reach equilibrium with the home and will produce some areas which are hotter or colder than the rest of the house.

How to Find the Right Size of Furnace

To calculate the right rating for your home’s heater, first measure the square footage of the area to be heated. Then, either find a calculator of BTU values based on square footage or use a standard multiplier. A chart of values is more accurate, especially for an extremely small or large home, but if you can’t find one, you can multiply your square footage by 20 to get a rough estimate of the BTU rating required. Adjust the rating up or down depending on several factors; for instance, a home in full sunlight may need 10% less heating power, while one with poor insulation may need much more. An HVAC contractor can help you determine the perfect fit for your home.

If your home has many complicating factors which affect the size of furnace needed or you aren’t confident in your calculations, an HVAC contractor can help you choose the right equipment. Donovan & Jorgenson offers HVAC equipment installation with a focus on customer service, including helping you find the correct equipment. Since 1985, they have provided the Greater Milwaukee, WI, area with skilled service, as well as free estimates to help you make a decision. Visit them online to learn more about their services.