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Understanding the Risks of Oversizing Your HVAC System
There's a lot to consider when upgrading your HVAC system, including how much heating and cooling capacity it should have to keep your home comfortable year-round. You want to keep your HVAC system's overall size closely matched to your home's size and the Nebraska climate control needs, otherwise you could find yourself wasting energy and money.
Unfortunately, many homeowners end up purchasing an HVAC system that's often too large for their homes to handle. Below, we explain why oversizing your HVAC system could end up being a major drawback for your home's overall comfort and energy efficiency.
What Makes an HVAC System Oversized?
To understand what makes an HVAC system oversized, you should understand how heating and cooling systems are measured. For example, furnaces are typically measured in British thermal units, or BTUs for short. This measurement basically describes the amount of work needed to raise the temperature of a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, air conditioners are usually rated in tons, with a single ton of nominal cooling equaling 12,000 BTUs. A 4-ton A/C unit produces approximately 48,000 BTUs of cooling capacity.
Every home requires a particular amount of heating and cooling capacity for optimal comfort. An oversized HVAC system is usually one that offers a higher capacity in relation to your home's size. For instance, a home that only needs 24,000 BTUs of cooling capacity won't benefit from an HVAC system offering double or triple that capacity.
What Issues Does an Oversized System Have?
If you install an oversized HVAC system, you could experience any of the following issues.
Too Hot or Too Cold Air
An oversized HVAC unit can make your home's inside temperature uncomfortable. An HVAC system with excess capacity can heat or cool your home faster, but that speed often results in a couple of other issues.
First, your home won't benefit from gradual, even heating and cooling. As a result, you could end up with a number of hot or cold spots throughout your home.
Second, in cooling mode, appropriately sized HVAC systems dehumidify the air as it's cooled. Oversized HVAC systems usually don't run long enough for the dehumidification process to take place, and with Lincoln, Nebraska's humid springs and summers the result will be a cool but clammy and uncomfortable home.
These issues can have a major impact on long-term comfort. In addition, having too much capacity can also result in higher energy costs over time.
Short Cycling Issues
Again, because oversized HVAC units blast your home with cool air instead of cooling it down gradually, the temperature swings prompt your HVAC system to start up and shut down in rapid succession-a condition commonly known as “short cycling.”
Short cycling can wreak havoc on your HVAC system if left unchecked. The constant starting and stopping can add unexpected wear and tear on the compressor, blower fan motor, and other HVAC components.
Shorter Lifespan
The average residential heating and cooling system can last for 12 to 20 years with the proper amount of care and maintenance. Unfortunately, most oversized HVAC systems don't last that long. Due in large part to the short cycling issues mentioned above, components on an oversized heating and/or air conditioning systems are more likely to fail sooner than those on a properly sized system. As a result, you may end up having to replace your HVAC system sooner than expected.
To properly match a home's new HVAC system with its estimated heating and cooling needs, a HVAC contractors must not only calculate the square footage of your home's total space but also consider a broad range of factors, including current ductwork design and the local Nebraska climate. If you think your Lincoln, NE home has an oversized heating and air system and would like an assessment contact Bryant Air Conditioning, Heating, Electrical & Plumbing today.