3 Steps to Figuring Out Your Proper Furnace Size
You might think purchasing a new furnace is as simple as walking into a store and selecting one with the features you desire, but this is a recipe for an expensive mistake. Furnaces of all kinds come in a variety of sizes, all using different amounts of energy, referred to as BTU (British Thermal Unit). A variety of factors affect the needed furnace size in a home, from humidity levels to home size and insulation amount. To keep things simple, we’ve outlined a basic method of furnace sizing to get you started.
1. Factor in Climate
Different areas of the country have different heating needs. Some areas of the country, like the north, are extremely cold and dry, while other areas are humid and need hardly any heating at all, even in the dead of winter. To heat a home in Coral Springs, you will need a furnace that puts out 30 to 35 BTUs per square foot.
2. Square Footage Is Important
Probably the most important factor in your furnace sizing decision is the size of your home. Therefore, the space the furnace needs to heat should be at least roughly estimated. If you are not sure how to measure your space, either hire a professional to do it for you or look at your home documentation to see if the square footage is listed.
3. Multiply Two Numbers Together
Let’s go over a quick example. Say your home is in Coral Springs and is about 2,000 square feet. Assuming you’ll need around 35 BTU potential per square foot, a furnace rated at 70,000 BTU might sound just right, but no furnace runs at 100% efficiency. Therefore, 85% is a good rule of thumb, making a furnace around 90,000 BTU an appropriate choice.
The experts at Brisk Air have been providing quality HVAC service to the Coral Springs area since 1972. We offer installations, repairs, and maintenance work for both heating and air conditioning systems, as well as other services like indoor air quality improvement and air duct cleaning. If you need assistance figuring out what size furnace is appropriate for your home, give us a call today!
