When homeowners shop for a new furnace, they often compare brands. But the single biggest factor in how comfortable your home feels, and how much it costs to heat, is whether the system is the right size.
Why bigger isn’t better
An oversized furnace heats the house in short bursts, shuts off, then starts again. That short cycling wastes gas, wears out parts faster, and leaves rooms swinging between too warm and too cool. An undersized furnace runs nonstop on cold days and still can’t keep up.
How the right size is figured out
A proper sizing uses a load calculation: your home’s square footage, insulation, windows, air leaks and which way the house faces. It’s more work than matching the old furnace’s label, but the old furnace may have been the wrong size all along, especially if you’ve added insulation, new windows or a finished basement since.
Where heat pumps fit
Heat pumps move heat instead of burning fuel, so they’re very efficient in mild weather. In Northeast Ohio, many homeowners pair a heat pump with a gas furnace (a dual-fuel system): the heat pump handles fall and spring, and the furnace takes over in deep cold. Sizing matters just as much here. Read: Heat pump vs. furnace for a Northeast Ohio winter →
What to ask any installer
- Will you do a load calculation, or size it from the old unit?
- Will you check my ductwork?
- What efficiency options do you recommend for my home, and why?
Wondering about price? See what a new furnace costs in Northeast Ohio →
Dee’s sizes every new system for North Canton, Plain Township, Jackson Township and Canton homes. See our North Canton services → or call (330) 554-7015 for a free estimate.