There’s nothing like being cozy and warm on a winter day. But if your furnace isn’t working, or if it isn’t up to the task of keeping your home comfortable, you’ll be out in the cold. A gas furnace will generally last 15-20 years, although older models may have shorter lifespans. If it’s time to replace your furnace or your furnace isn’t producing the way it needs to, consider the size of furnace you need.
Size Matters: Understanding Furnace Output
The output of your furnace is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). The average furnace puts out 80,000 to 100,000 BTUs. However, it’s not just output that’s important — you need to look at efficiency as well. A furnace with an efficiency of 85% will only provide 85 percent of the maximum output. The rest is lost through the flue. Choosing a high-efficiency furnace helps you save money on energy costs and be more comfortable in your home. As a furnace gets older, the efficiency decreases. If you’ve had your furnace for a while, it’s possible it’s not operating with the same level of efficiency it started with. That might be one reason your furnace isn’t providing enough heat.
How Big Of a Furnace Do I Need?
When you’re looking at options for buying a furnace, you’ll want to think about how many square feet your home has. The ideal ratio will depend on your climate zone. In Atlanta, for instance, you’re in Zone 2. The ideal output is 35-40 BTUs per square foot. If your home is 2500 square feet, you’ll want a furnace that puts out 87,500 to 100,000 BTUs.
As you ask yourself, “What BTU furnace do I need?” keep in mind that you don’t want a unit that is too big or too small. A small furnace won’t be able to heat your home comfortably. You’ll end up using additional systems, such as space heaters, to stay warm. The heater will run continuously, and you’ll pay high electricity or gas bills as a result. If your furnace is too large, it’s not any better. An oversized furnace will overheat your home and will use more energy than needed. This will cost you money and cause you to be too hot, even in chilly weather.
Get the Furnace You Need Today
If you’re in the market for a furnace, it’s important to get a highly-efficient model that’s the right size for your home and climate zone. You don’t need to spend extra money on electricity and gas because you have the wrong furnace. If you’re colder than you should be, let us review what’s going wrong. It could be that your furnace needs repair, or perhaps it’s reached the end of its service life and is ready for replacement.
At Triad Mechanical, we have expert technicians who can help you choose the right unit for your needs. We can handle installation and maintenance as well. We proudly offer 24/7 service and service all makes and models of HVAC equipment.
Are you ready to choose a new furnace? Contact us to get started today!