Unless your original furnace was undersized, getting a bigger, more powerful unit will likely cause more issues than it solves.
As time passes, a furnace gets older, begins to break down, and eventually needs to be replaced. When it comes time to get a new heating system installed, you might be tempted to look for a bigger, more powerful furnace thinking that it will heat your home more quickly and efficiently. However, this is typically not the case.
Unless your original furnace was undersized, getting a bigger, more powerful unit will likely cause more issues than it solves. If you’re in the market for a new heater, we can help you figure out the right size unit for your home. This article explains the common issues associated with an oversized furnace and why getting one isn’t advisable.
Less Efficient
An oversized furnace is a less efficient option. Why? Because a furnace doesn’t reach its peak efficiency levels until after going through the warmup process. A furnace that’s too powerful will quickly push the home’s temperature to levels to satisfy the thermostat and then shut off. The furnace will turn on, heat up, and then shut off again when the temperature drops down. Since it spends all this time in the warmup phase, it doesn’t spend much time operating at peak efficiency.
Uneven Heat Distribution
One common complaint of many homeowners is uneven heat distribution. This occurs when one area of their home heats up more quickly than others and certain sections are warmer than others. This is an issue that even those with a well-balanced system face. When the system is oversized, the problem becomes even more dramatic. So the slightly warm room will be even warmer. It might also leave other rooms in your home cooler than usual.
Shorter Lifespan
When a furnace cycles on and off constantly, it wears on the system. It’s not meant to function like that. So an oversized unit does this much more frequently than a right-sized unit. An oversized heater is more likely to overheat, damaging essential components.
The Problem with Short Cycling
Short cycling is when the heater turns off too quickly for the house to reach the right temperature. This is because the furnace is overheating. Since the furnace is too large, it generates more heat than can be used up and that heat builds up while it’s running. Eventually, there’s too much heat, the unit gets too hot, and the safety sensor switches it off to protect itself. So, you end up with a home that’s not warm enough and a damaged furnace in the process.
We Can Help!
If you need a new furnace installed, leave it to the pros to help you figure out the right-sized system for your home. With over 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and provide maintenance for your home’s HVAC system.
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At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we pride ourselves in being a locally owned and operated HVAC company. With more than 30 years of experience and a master technician and mechanical engineer as our owner, we can replace, repair, and provide maintenance for your business or home’s HVAC system.