For many who are purchasing a new heating and air system, it may be surprising to learn that one of the most important things to consider is the size of the system.  Not having a system that is customized to the specifications of your home can bring about a variety of risks, from a shortened life span to increased moisture levels and added costs.

The problem is that it can be very difficult for the average homeowner to determine the type and size of system that will work the best.  Simply put, there are many puzzling dynamics to think about.    

Let the pros do their job.  A knowledgeable and experienced professional from Salt Air Heating and Cooling will provide you with a complimentary, in-home consultation about the type of system that will be necessary to heat and cool your home.  It may seem like common sense to say a home with 3,200 square feet will not require the same size system as a home with 1,200 square feet; however, there are many other factors to consider when purchasing a system.

The first step is a load calculation, in which a professional from our team will identify which system your home will need to function at maximum efficiency.  This will include developing a heat loss/heat gain analysis that is customized to your home.  This involves a careful evaluation of numerous variables associated with your home, such as:

• Surrounding environment,
• Number and type of windows,
• Quality of insulation and ductwork,
• Number of skylights and fireplaces,
• Type of building materials,
• Ceiling heights,
• Number of people in residence, and
• Square footage. 

*Helpful hint.  Never buy a system over the phone, as it is impossible to accurately determine the size of the system you will need without visiting your home in person.  Only a load calculation performed by an experienced professional can determine the proper size of the system.  It is absolutely critical not to let a company install a system without a load calculation.

Some companies may even try to sell you a system that is too big for your home.  While it may be nice for the company, since they make a few extra bucks in the process, having a larger system in place than you actually need can cause a number of problems to occur.  One of the most significant is the system will be unable to remove moisture from the air.  This is caused by the system shutting down because it has reached the desired temperature setting too quickly. 

Short cycling is another cause for concern with systems that are too large for a home.  This term refers to when a system turns on and off at frequent intervals, the result being a shorter lifespan and increased energy costs.       

Having a system that is too small can also be problematic.  In this scenario the system will try to reach the desired temperature setting in vain, run constantly, wear out prematurely and cost you more along the way.  No doubt about it:  sitting in an uncomfortable house listening to a system run constantly can bring feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and ultimately, an unhappy bank account.

The best way to ensure your system matches the unique requirements and specifications of your home is to have a load calculation performed during an in-person consultation.  To have a reliable and experienced professional from the team at Salt Air Heating and Cooling come to your house and assess your needs at no cost or obligation to you, contact us today. For more information about the risk of having an improperly sized heating and air system, call 910-777-3539.      

Salt Air Heating & Cooling provides a full lineup of maintenance, new installation, and service work to residential and commercial clients in and around the Wilmington, NC area. Salt Air is comprised of true HVAC experts, adept at diagnosing and servicing all makes and models of heating and air equipment. The Salt Air team completes 1,000 hours of continuing education per year to ensure our employees are trained on the latest technology. To arrange a free at-home consultation, call (910) 777-3539, or visit the company’s website at www.saltairinc.com.