Heating and cooling systems can seem complicated when you are not familiar with them. There are many terms affiliated with these systems that can be hard to understand. One term that you should learn about, especially when you’re in the market for a new heating and air system, is load calculation. This is a very important measurement to have when purchasing a new system, and it’s something you need to make sure is performed before you have a new system installed. This article will explain what a load calculation is, why it is important, and what the results entail.

What is a load calculation? A load calculation, also known as a heat loss/heat gain analysis, determines the amount of heating and cooling a home may need. Think about it this way: a two-bedroom apartment with only one person living in it will most likely not need as much cooling and heating as a three-story house, with six bedrooms and five people living in it. The load calculation is used to determine the size of your system. For example, the two-bedroom apartment may only need a 1.5-ton heat pump, and the six-bedroom home may need a 5-ton system or more.

An accurate load calculation takes into account many factors. The size of the home is a big indicator, but other factors include:

• Number of windows and window treatments
• Insulation and ductwork
• Building materials and roof construction
• Skylights and fireplaces
• Climate
• Ceiling heights
• The number of people living in a home
• The direction a home faces

A load calculation can be determined only by having a professional visit your home. This is why an estimate for a new heating and air system should not be given over the phone; instead it should be done in your home.

If you do not have a load calculation performed, you could have the wrong-sized system installed in your home. Having a wrong-size system installed can cause many problems, including high energy bills and wear on your system from overworking. Your home may never reach your desired temperature and the system may not properly remove moisture from the air. All of these problems can be avoided by making sure the proper-sized system is installed at your home.

Having a load calculation performed is required by the state of North Carolina. At O’Brien Service Company, we perform these for free during your free in-home estimate. If another company gives you an estimate without performing the load calculation, you should highly consider getting another estimate done by a more reputable company. At O’Brien Service Company, we hear too often from homeowners who received pricing for new systems from companies that did not visit their homes first, and experienced nothing but problems after the installation.

Don’t let this happen to you. Give O’Brien a call, and we will perform with a load calculation, provide a proper estimate and install the correct system for your home. Call us today at (910) 799-6611 to schedule your free in-home estimate.

For more information on load calculation you can also visit Trane’s website at www.trane.com.

Jimmy Williams has owned and operated O'Brien Service Company for over 30 years. Our 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 at home estimate. You can contact us by calling (910) 799-6611, or visit our website at http://www.obrienservice.com.