Cold temperatures in Michigan are serious business! When winter hits the Waterford area and the temperature drops, one of the most important things you can do to stay warm and cozy is to have the right size furnace to heat your home. But how do you determine the furnace size that’s just right for your house? 

Read on to learn as Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing breaks it down in simple terms, so you can make an informed decision without breaking the bank.

Why Furnace Size Matters

Imagine you’re trying to bake a batch of cookies. You have a small oven and a big tray of cookies. If you try to cram all those cookies into the small oven, they won’t bake evenly. Some might burn, while others stay undercooked. It’s a similar story with furnaces. If your furnace is too small for your home, it will struggle to keep your whole house warm, leaving some rooms chilly, just like those unevenly baked cookies.

On the flip side, if your furnace is too big, it will cycle on and off frequently, which not only wastes energy but also wears out the furnace faster. So, determining the right furnace size is crucial for efficient and effective heating.

How to Determine Furnace Size

1. Calculate Your Home’s Square Footage: The first step in figuring out what size furnace you need is to measure the square footage of your home. To do this, you can measure the length and width of each room and then add up the square footage for all the rooms. Make sure to include any finished basements or attics that you plan to heat.

2. Consider Insulation: Next, think about how well your home is insulated. Good insulation helps to keep the heat inside, so your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard. If your home is well-insulated, you may not need as large a furnace as a poorly insulated one.

3. Calculate the BTU (British Thermal Units): BTUs are a measure of the amount of heat a furnace can produce. In colder climates like Michigan, on average, you’ll need about 50-60 BTUs per square foot to heat your home. So, multiply your home’s square footage by this number to get a rough estimate of the furnace size you need. For example, if your home is 1,000 square feet, you’d need a furnace with a capacity of 50,000-60,000 BTUs.

4. Consider Other Factors: Besides square footage and insulation, there are other factors that can affect the furnace size you need. These include your climate. Colder climates like Waterford, Michigan will require larger furnaces. The greater number of windows and doors in your home mean more openings for heat loss, so a larger furnace may be needed. The final consideration is the height of your ceilings.

5. Consult a Professional: While these calculations can give you a ballpark figure, the better idea is to consult the professionals at Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. Our trained Comfort Specialists will perform a detailed heat load calculation, taking all these factors into account, to determine the right furnace size for your specific situation.

Avoiding Common Problems

Having the right furnace size isn’t just about comfort. It’s also about avoiding common problems that can arise from using the wrong size. Here are a few issues you might encounter if your furnace size is off.

1. Uneven Heating: As mentioned earlier, an undersized furnace will struggle to heat your entire home evenly. You’ll likely have warm spots and cold spots, making some rooms uncomfortable during the winter.

2. Short Cycling: If your furnace is too large, it will turn on and off frequently, a phenomenon known as “short cycling.” This not only reduces efficiency but can also lead to increased wear and tear on your furnace, potentially shortening its lifespan.

3. Higher Energy Bills: An oversized furnace can lead to higher energy bills because it consumes more fuel than necessary. On the other hand, an undersized furnace might run constantly, also increasing your energy costs.

4. Comfort Issues: Having the wrong furnace size can result in discomfort, whether it’s because your home is too cold or because you’re spending more on heating than you should.

To sum it up, determining the right furnace size for your Waterford area home is essential for efficient and effective heating during the Michigan winter months. You might be able to calculate a rough estimate of the size of furnace you need based on your home’s square footage and insulation. 

For the best outcome, though, it’s always best to consult with a professional HVAC company like Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing for a more accurate assessment. Avoiding the common problems associated with the wrong furnace size, such as uneven heating and high energy bills, will ensure that you and your family stay warm and comfortable all winter long. 

So, don’t leave your furnace size to chance; take the time to get it right and enjoy a cozy, warm home when the cold weather arrives.
Contact Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today to schedule an in-home, no-cost consultation.