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Answers to Some Common Heating and Cooling Questions
Why Most Older Systems are Oversized
Before the era of tightly constructed homes, it was not uncommon to install furnaces and air conditioners that had two to four times the necessary capacity. Since many people have added new windows, caulking, weather stripping, and insulation to their homes, going by the nameplate is likely to result in an oversized system. Making improvements such as these to reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer should allow you to install a smaller system while still being comfortable, as well as saving large amounts of energy.
Sizing Heating and Cooling Systems
Older space conditioning systems (more than 20 years old) are often unreliable and much less efficient than a modern system. When it’s time for a new replacement, choosing the best contractor that will correctly size and install the new heating and/or air-conditioning system is critical to getting the best efficiency, comfort, and lowest maintenance and operating costs over the life of the new system. Some national surveys have determined that well over half of all HVAC contractors do not size heating and cooling systems correctly.
The most common sizing mistake is in oversizing. This not only makes the new system more expensive to install, but also forces it to operate inefficiently, break down more often, and cost more to operate. Oversized equipment also often creates uncomfortable and large temperature swings in the house. Oversized air conditioners (and heat pumps) do not run long enough to dehumidify the air, which results in the “clammy” feeling and unhealthy mold growth in many air conditioned houses.
Steps a Good Contractor Should Take to Size Your System
A good contractor will also include an inspection of the size, condition of seals on joints and insulation, and location of the distribution ducts in forced air systems. The placement of supply and return registers should be appropriate for the system type and size. They should also let you know about the savings you would gain by adding more insulation into the attic as well.
