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How Large Should My Furnace Be?
Posted On: November 13, 2024
The size of a furnace is typically measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units), and the right size depends on various factors such as the size of your home, your climate zone, insulation quality, and the number of windows and doors. Here's a breakdown of what to consider when determining the appropriate furnace size:
1. Square Footage of Your Home
- Generally, you can calculate the BTUs needed based on your home’s square footage. As a rule of thumb, most homes need between 30 to 60 BTUs per square foot.
- For example, if your home is 2,000 square feet, a rough estimate for furnace size would be
- 2,000 sq ft×40 BTUs per sq ft=80,000 BTUs2,000sq ft×40BTUs per sq ft=80,000BTUs
2. Climate Zone
- Warmer climates require fewer BTUs per square foot, while colder climates need more.
- Here’s a rough guide by climate:
- Warm climates (like Florida): 30–35 BTUs per square foot.
- Moderate climates (like the Midwest): 40–45 BTUs per square foot.
- Cold climates (like New England): 50–60 BTUs per square foot.
3. Insulation and Windows
- If your home has good insulation, you might need fewer BTUs. Poor insulation or old, drafty windows can increase the BTU requirements.
- High-quality windows, doors, and insulation can reduce the furnace size by 10–20%.
4. Ceiling Height
- Most BTU estimates assume an 8-foot ceiling. If your ceilings are higher, you may need a larger furnace to heat the increased volume of air.
5. Furnace Efficiency
- High-efficiency furnaces produce more heat per BTU, so you can often go with a smaller size if you’re choosing a furnace with an efficiency rating of 90% or higher.
Example Calculation:
Let’s say you have a 2,000-square-foot home in a moderate climate with good insulation and standard 8-foot ceilings. You might aim for around:
2,000 sq ft×40 BTUs per sq ft=80,000 BTUs2,000sq ft×40BTUs per sq ft=80,000BTUs
If you choose a high-efficiency furnace (like 90% AFUE), you could reduce the size to around 72,000 BTUs.
When in Doubt, Consult a Professional
A qualified HVAC contractor can do a more precise calculation called a Manual J load calculation, taking into account all relevant factors, and recommend the right furnace size. This prevents you from oversizing or undersizing, which can lead to inefficiencies and comfort issues.
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See What Our Customers Are Saying:
May 16, 2021
Appreciated a quick response to my request. Dave and Greg were very professional and made the experience seamless.
Feb 1, 2021
Very professional through the entire process. Installation and removel was done on a sloppy winter day, they put down runners on the floors and stairs and when they left, there wasn;t any sign of someone being in our house. Furnace works great as promised.
Feb 1, 2021
Dave was very pleasant to deal with and Twintech responded quickly when our furnace needed to be replaced ASAP. Installation was done on time and the crew were neat and tidy. We now have a great furnace that suits the needs of our family.
Feb 1, 2021
When your furnace kicks in over the holidays and you're not sure where to turn.. I'm so thankful that this company returned my phone call. I appreciated their transparency and clarity which allowed me to make an informed decision. With various quotes thrown at you, it can be difficult to make the right decision and trust the solutions offered by different companies. TwinTech spoke the truth and delivered on their word. Neat, timely and clean service; the peace of mind I needed during a very cold holiday season. I highly recommend them!
Feb 1, 2021
Pulling a old unit out and installing a modern heating system! Required drilling holes in the wall for the newer pipes. We went from 70% (I am willing to bet it was far less due to lack of maintenance and just old) to 96% newer . It now feels warmer and more pressure and we use to run extra heaters and feel as though they are not necessary!
Feb 1, 2021
I received three quotes before deciding to choose Twintech. Dave's prices was much more reasonable than the competitors. I most appreciated their honest recommendations. Others tried to oversell their products and services. Thank you Dave!
Feb 1, 2021
They had the best price and did a great job on the installation. Recommend them to anyone.
Feb 1, 2021
It was a amazing and professional high quality job
Friendly and very helpful representatives
Thank you for understanding my concern
And explain very well
Overall we pleased with your service
Tanks
May 15, 2020
My 19 year old furnace stopped working when the cold weather hit in November, and I was left without heat. I interviewed several companies and found TWINTECH HEATING and COOLING to be very knowledgeable, quick to respond to my inquiries and very competitively priced.
Dave provided all of the information and pricing ahead of time and set up the appointment for the installation. Greg and Mitch arrived on time to do the installation and worked quickly and efficiently to complete the job.
After the completion of the installation, Dave followed up to ensure that everything was working well and that I didn't have any concerns.
Overall, this was a low-stress and flawless experience from start to finish. I would highly recommend TWINTECH HEATING and COOLING to anyone that requires a new furnace.
May 14, 2020
Our 20 year old furnace broke down during the first cold weekend this past November and our usual HVAC company never returned our phone call. Their loss, missing out on a sale since we didn't want to spend much fixing an old furnace and our 40 year old air conditioner was also long overdue for replacement. We proceeded in obtaining three different quotes for furnace and air conditioner replacement, and proceeded with the one we received from Twintech.
Dave was friendly, knowledgable and accommodating to our schedule and provided with us with a price that fell in the middle of the three quotes that we had. We felt that the Amana furnace and air conditioner he quoted us on were the best products and value offered to us and felt most comfortable with the professionalism and reputation of Twintech.
Greg, Grant and Mitch were at our house for installation the day after we decided to proceed. The guys were friendly and informative, the job was completed efficiently and workmanship appears excellent. Our house is certainly much more comfortable with the new two-stage variable speed Amana furnace compared to the old clunker! And, we're looking forward to enjoying the new air conditioner once summer rolls around again. Thanks Twintech!
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