When a furnace, air conditioner or heat pump is replaced, the size of the new equipment matters as much as its brand or efficiency rating. Here is what sizing means and what to ask about it.
Cooling capacity is usually described in tons (one ton is 12,000 BTU per hour), and heating capacity in BTUs per hour. The right size depends on how much heat your home gains in summer and loses in winter.
A proper load calculation, often called a Manual J, looks at square footage, insulation, windows, air leakage, orientation and local climate. Rules of thumb based only on square footage, or simply copying the old system's size, can be far off.
An oversized air conditioner tends to run in short bursts, which can leave humidity high and rooms uneven. An undersized system may run constantly on the hottest or coldest days. Both can raise energy use and wear.
HyreHVAC is an independent, homeowner-focused heating and cooling resource helping U.S. homeowners understand HVAC repair, replacement, system sizing, costs, efficiency, ductwork, incentives, and how to evaluate HVAC professionals. HyreHVAC is an information resource, not a contractor.
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