When the time comes to purchase a new heating and air system, one of the most important factors to consider is the size of the system. Not having the right system in place to fit 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 is very difficult for the average homeowner to determine the type and size of system that will work the best, as there are many dynamics to take into account.    
Let the pros do their job. A knowledgeable and experienced professional from O’Brien Service Company will provide you with a detailed, 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 that 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.

In performing a load calculation, a professional from our team will identify which system your home will need to function at maximum efficiency. The first step is to create 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
• Square footage

Here’s a helpful hint.  Never buy a system over the phone. It is impossible to accurately determine the size of the system you will need over the phone. Only a load calculation performed by an experienced professional can tell you about the size of the system you will need. Do not let a company install a system without performing a load calculation.

As an example, some companies will 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. One of the most significant is that 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. Simply put, this means the system turns on and off at frequent intervals, resulting in a shorter lifespan and increased energy costs. 
     
Having a system that is too small also will 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 all the time will not bring peace of mind. 

The best way to ensure your system matches the unique requirements and specifications of your home is to have a load calculation performed during your in-person consultation.  To have a reliable and experienced professional from the team at O’Brien Service Company 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, click here to visit Trane’s Website.

Jimmy Williams has owned and operated O'Brien Service Company for over 30 years. O'Brien Service Company's highly trained and versatile technicians can expertly handle complex repairs, installations, and advise you on the benefits of regular maintenance. O'Brien will work on both residential and commercial systems, and is a certified Trane Specialist. Call today to have your system serviced, or to have a free in-home estimate. You can contact us by calling (910) 799-6611, or visit our website at http://www.obrienservice.com.