Many homeowners don’t realize that furnaces come in a range of different sizes. Instead of using a “one-size-fits-all” approach, your furnace should be well-matched for your home’s dimensions and floor space. Here at Ideal HVAC Services, we’ve been helping Warrenton homeowners choose the perfect furnaces for their homes for more than eight years. In that time, we’ve learned some rules of thumb about how to choose the right size furnace for your home.
Instead of using inches, ounces, or grams, furnaces use a measurement called the British Thermal Unit (BTU). This unit measures how much energy is needed to warm up a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Each furnace has a BTU rating which represents how much energy it consumes. To figure out what size furnace your home needs, you can use a math equation to determine the desired BTU rating of your future furnace.
The equation is: household square footage x climate zone factor = BTU output.
We’ll discuss the importance of household square footage and climate zone below.
Household Square Footage
Furnaces are designed with a particular household size in mind. For a general frame of reference, a home between 800 and 900 square feet should have a furnace between 30,000 and 45,000 BTUs. If your home is closer to 2,000 square feet, then a furnace between 80,000 and 115,000 BTU is needed. You can usually find information about your home’s square footage on the closing documents or blueprints.
Climate Zone Factor
The climate your home is located in is just as important as house size when determining what size furnace you need. Here in Virginia, we experience cool, snowy winters, so you’ll need a furnace more powerful than someone who lives in a warmer state. We recommend adding an additional 50-60 BTUs per square foot of your Virginia home.
Furnace Installation and Replacement in Warrenton
When the time comes to replace your furnace, you can rest assured that the experts at Ideal HVAC Services will make sure it’s correctly sized for your home. We have completed countless furnace installations and replacements in Warrenton since we opened our doors in 2013. As a Lennox Premier Dealer, we carry only high-end units known for their dependability and efficiency. We offer a full range of heating and cooling services, including installation, repair, and maintenance.
To schedule furnace service in Warrenton, call Ideal HVAC Services today!
