You wouldn’t put a semi-truck engine in your car. That might sound like a random and silly idea, but it also doesn’t suit your needs. The same thing goes for buying an oversized heating and cooling system. You want HVAC equipment that’s designed for your specific needs.

At Hey Neighbor Heating & Cooling, we take great care to recommend HVAC equipment that fits your home perfectly, whether you live in Strongsville or Steubenville! So, let’s learn the correct way to determine the properly-sized furnace for your living space – heat load calculations.

What’s a heat load calculation?

First, we feel compelled to warn you that many contractors only look at the square footage of your home and recommend a new system based on that calculation alone. Doing this can result in oversized equipment, and that’s not a good thing.

Experts estimate that improper installation can reduce your system’s efficiency by 30% or more. As a result, you’ll pay more in monthly utility bills and potentially shorten the working life of your equipment.

As a best practice, industry experts recommend that contractors use the Manual J heat load calculation method to determine the correct comfort equipment for your home. Heat load factors in the size of your home, but also considers many other factors, including:

• The weather where you live
• The orientation of your home (where the sunshine is)
• Insulation rating
• The number of windows and doors your home has
• Your ceiling heights

Many area cities require contractors to use the Manual J process for rebates and permit applications. We comply fully with these regulations, which is why you can trust the Hey Neighbor Heating & Cooling team to calculate your home’s HVAC needs thoroughly and accurately.

What are the benefits of an accurate heat load calculation?

An oversized furnace will cycle on and off too frequently, increasing your energy use and bills. On the other end, an undersized furnace will run constantly to heat your home adequately and will wear out far before its expected end of life. In both scenarios, your equipment will make more noise and won’t provide the comfort your family wants. But on the other hand, you will enjoy the following benefits with an accurate heat load calculation:

• Ideal operating and initial system costs
• Proper system and duct sizing
• Superior indoor air quality (IAQ)
• Optimal humidity levels
• Reduced dust
• Fewer allergy symptoms and respiratory problems
• Enhanced system efficiency

Of course, the most important benefit is your family’s comfort and safety. As you’re probably aware, purchasing a new heating and cooling system is a sizeable expense, and it pays to protect your investment by working with a company you trust to do things the right way – us!

Call Hey Neighbor today for all your heating and cooling needs

Whether you need new HVAC equipment or you’re looking for a reliable company to service the current system in your Northeast Ohio home, you can count on Hey Neighbor Heating & Cooling. Call us today at 844-HEY-NEIGHBOR or request service online. We’ll be there for you before, during, and after the sale – because that’s how neighbors should treat neighbors!™