Choosing the Right Size HVAC Unit is Critical
One of the main reasons that property owners in Montgomery County, PA, experience high energy bills and improper cooling and heating is that the size of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit is either too large or too small for the space it needs to heat and cool.
Even if separate units for heating and cooling are used, the size of the unit is crucial. An undersized unit will leave cold spots during the winter, and an AC unit that is too small will leave a property sticky. Wrongly sized units are also “energy guzzlers,” as these struggle to do the job well.
HVAC Gurus, with decades of experience, can assist with the knowledge needed to install or replace any unit and size out the units correctly. A free evaluation is available so any homeowner or property owner can rest assured that no initial outlay of money is needed to determine if any HVAC unit is either too large or too small for any space.
How to Determine the Correct Size of an HVAC Unit for a Property?
There are several factors to be considered. Proper and efficient heating and cooling are determined by the number of BTUs needed for each property. A BTU is a British Thermal Unit.
According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), it is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature or water by one degree F. To simplify this, each HVAC unit must produce enough BTUs to raise the temperature of a property to the temperature required for comfort.
In AC units that are stand-alone, the BTUs required are approximately 30 to 35 BTUs per square foot of property for effective cooling. Most HVAC units now provide heating and cooling and are prominent in new homes, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). These facts are based on the latest Bureau of the Census figures.
These units are generally central air units with coils inserted for the heating. They are not suitable for colder climates, though, and an ancillary heat source generally is recommended.
HVAC Gurus will take into consideration the following:
- The square footage
This is a critical element as common sense dictates that the larger the space, the more BTUs are needed for an HVAC unit to produce enough heating and cooling to keep a property at the desired temperature.
- The height of the ceilings
Even a smaller space with higher ceilings will require more BTUs and energy output. This is a factor that does impact the heating and cooling capacity of any unit.
- The number of windows in a property
Windows can assist in cutting back on heating and cooling needs, as they allow natural sunlight to enter. However, windows also can create drafts if not properly insulated or in areas where the windows will actually make a space hotter or not cool enough.
A space without sufficient windows or windows that are badly placed will need larger HVAC units in general.
- The number of individuals living on a property
This might sound a bit odd, but individuals produce body heat. This body heat can help keep a property warmer but can make it uncomfortably warm in the Spring and Summer months.
- Duct vent placement
Vents should be as close to the floor level as possible. In the winter, vents that are in a ceiling will keep the upper floors warm while the lower floors are cold. In the summer, vents in a ceiling will keep the lower floors cool but the upper floors of a property can be hot and humid.
Hot air rises, which is what makes ceiling duct placement not an advantageous approach to a well-functioning HVAC unit.
- The age of a home/property
Newer homes are now built with much better insulation than those in previous decades. Cold that seeps in and heat that seeps out does make a difference in temperature maintenance.
- The age of an HVAC unit
This was mentioned in a previous blog post here but an older unit does not function as well as a newer unit and replacement can save on heating and cooling costs, as well as add to the value of a home, and make it more comfortable.
Summary–Choosing the Right Size HVAC Unit is Critical in Montgomery County, PA
A too-small HVAC unit, or one that is not installed correctly, will make a home uncomfortable in any season. A too-large one simply wastes energy as it provides too much heat or too much cooling.
HVAC Gurus provides an entirely free evaluation so that property owners can enjoy cost savings and comfort all year round. There is a form on the website; A phone call is always welcome, too!
1-800-564-0103.
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