September and October are great times for installing a new HVAC system. With cooler temperatures, your air conditioner likely won’t be needed, but the heating system won’t require regular use either. That provides a nice window to determine the specifics of your new system and perform an installation session: leaving you ready for the winter without having to sacrifice the cool air from the air conditioner in the summer.
The most important aspect of any new heating and air conditioning system is the size. By that, we don’t mean the physical size (though that can still be important, since it needs to fit into the allotted space). It refers to the system’s power output, which needs to be carefully balanced against the specifics of your home. The process can be more complicated than you think.
Too Large Is Just as Bad as Too Small
An underpowered HVAC system isn’t of much use, and you don’t need to be a qualified technician to figure that out. It will run and run all day without ever getting the home to the proper temperature. That’s not usually the problem. Many laymen fail to understand, however, that overpowered units are just as problematic. It goes against all logic — don’t you want your HVAC system to work as quickly as possible? — but in fact, it can cause a lot of serious problems.
When a given unit heats or cools the home too quickly, it engages in a process known as short cycling. The system turns off, only to turn on again a short time later as the warm air of summer or cool air of winter affects the home’s temperatures. HVAC systems use far more energy turning on and turning off than they do simply running. Short cycling will cause the system to turn on and off rapidly throughout the day: wasting huge amounts of energy and raising your monthly bills in the process. Even worse, it will increase wear and tear on the individual components, which will shorten the system’s lifespan and elevate the chances of a breakdown.
The ideal HVAC system matches what we like to call the Goldilocks Rule: neither overpowered nor underpowered, but just right.
Preparation Is Key
A big part of sizing a new HVAC system is determining the specific needs of your home. The old system will give a decent baseline, but technology has improved and new systems are apt to be more efficient than older ones, especially if you’ve had your old HVAC system for a long time.
The technician will give your home a thorough examination, starting with the square footage. They will also carefully factor in components of home efficiency: the presence of insulation, double-paned windows, and the like. Sunlight exposure plays a key role as well, and the size of your kitchen matter since the kitchen tends to generate more heat than the rest of the house. With all of those factors accounted for, the technician can come up with the best size for your new system.
For top-notch HVAC installation in Boerne, TX, call D’Spain Sales and Service, Inc. today!
