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What Size Furnace Do I Need? Choosing the Right One

As the winter season approaches, it’s important to take note of your furnace’s health. If you have an old furnace and are looking to get a replacement, the range of options can be a little overwhelming.

Furnace size matters when it comes to evenly heating your home, staying energy efficient, and avoiding costly repairs. Here’s a guide to furnace sizes and what to keep in mind when choosing one for your home.

What Factors Affect Furnace Size?

The size of your furnace depends on a few different factors, including:

Your Home’s Square Footage:

The square footage of your home is the most important detail to consider when selecting a furnace. A larger home requires a larger furnace to heat its entire area and vice versa.

The Climate in Your Area:

The climate of your home determines how much you need to heat your home. For example, if you live in a warmer climate, a large furnace isn’t necessary to keep your home heated.

The Number of Windows and Doors in Your Home:

Air leakage from windows and doors has a huge impact on your furnace’s efficiency. You’ll need a larger furnace to heat a home with many doors and windows.

Your Home’s Insulation:

Proper insulation is essential to keeping heat trapped in your home. It’s important to consider how old your house is, what kind of insulation it has, and how these factors affect the amount of heat your furnace needs to pump.

What Are BTUs and Energy Efficiency Ratings?

Furnaces are classified by their BTUs and energy efficiency rating:

BTUs

BTU stands for British Thermal Units, which is how to measure furnace size. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need about 30-60 BTUs per square foot of living space. However, this can vary based on the factors mentioned above.

While this might sound complicated, our team can help you choose the perfect furnace for your home. To do so, we’ll perform a Manual J load calculation. This calculation takes the specific details of your home into account, including the factors mentioned above and other details like the direction your home faces.

Energy Efficiency Ratings

When choosing a furnace, remember to consider its efficiency rating, measured by Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). A higher AFUE rating means the furnace converts more of its fuel into heat for your home. High-efficiency furnaces may cost more upfront, but they can lead to significant savings on your energy bills over time.

What if I Choose the Wrong Size Furnace?

The consequences of an improperly sized furnace vary, depending on whether the furnace is too large or too small for your space:

Oversized Furnaces:

Many homeowners assume that bigger is better when it comes to furnaces, but this isn’t the case. A furnace too big for its space will cycle on and off frequently. This can cause problems such as:

  • Increased energy consumption and high energy bills
  • More wear and tear on the HVAC system, potentially shortening its lifespan
  • Uneven heating throughout your home
  • Increased noise

Undersized Furnaces:

An undersized furnace causes different kinds of problems. Most importantly, the furnace will struggle to heat your home adequately. This can result in:

  • The furnace constantly running, leading to excessive energy use
  • Failure to pump the desired amount of heat, especially on very cold days
  • Increased strain on the system, potentially leading to premature failure

Schedule a Professional Assessment

While online furnace size calculators can give you a rough idea of how to size a furnace, nothing beats a professional assessment. Our HVAC technicians can perform a detailed analysis of your home. We consider all relevant factors before recommending the perfectly sized furnace for your specific needs.

When you work with Pearson Plumbing, Heating, and Pest Control, we’ll give you professional advice on the perfect furnace for your home. So, if you’re in need of a new furnace, contact us today! We’ll make sure that your home is winter-ready!

Our Service Area

  • Byron
  • Belvidere
  • Freeport
  • Rockford
  • Roscoe
  • Loves Park
  • Machesney Park
  • Winnebago
  • South Beloit
  • Rockton

Outside Service Area

At Pearson Plumbing, Heating/AC & Pest Control, we proudly extend our top-notch HVAC and pest control services to homes and businesses throughout Rockford, IL, and all surrounding communities within a 30-mile radius. Whether you’re in Rockford, Belvidere, Freeport, Roscoe, or any nearby area, our expert technicians are ready to provide you with reliable, efficient solutions to keep your property comfortable and pest-free year-round.

While our primary focus is within a 30-mile radius of Rockford, IL, we understand that HVAC and pest control needs don’t always follow geographic boundaries. If you're located outside our regular service area, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re often able to accommodate extended service requests, ensuring you receive the same high-quality care and attention, no matter where you are.

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