What size furnace do I need?

January 31, 2019

When you need to upgrade your outdated furnace, it’s important to know that one size does not fit all. A system that is not sized properly for your home, will not only affect your comfort, but can result in shortened life of your furnace, and leave you with larger energy costs.

If you pick a system oversized for your house, you’ll start to experience short cycles. This means 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 reduced lifespan and higher costs.

How can you be certain about the correct furnace size for your home? Start with a load calculation from the team at Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc. A load calculation takes aspects from your home into account and gauges the Btu (a number that indicates the heating capacity of a furnace) necessary to heat your home.

Some Things that Influence Furnace Size

  • Square Footage—How big is the area your furnace will need to heat? Your technician will be sure to carefully measure the square footage of your home. Not every inch of your home needs to be accounted for during this process. Many times, it is more valuable to account only for the space that needs heating.
  • Home Insulation—Insulation helps keep warm air from leaving your home through the cold winter months. It also heavily affects energy efficiency and how large of a heating system will be necessary. Let the team from Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc evaluate the insulation in your walls and attic. They’ll help you find a perfect furnace for your house.
  • Type of Window— Just like your walls, the specific 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—Think about the range of weather you receive in Wisconsin Rapids. You’ll want a furnace that can handle 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 Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc help you find a unit that will fit your home properly. When you’re ready to begin, contact us at 715-301-0256 or arrange an appointment online. Whether you have some questions about furnace size or want to discuss options for your space, our team is happy to help you out.