An old furnace can end up costing you thousands of dollars over the years. Think that’s an exaggeration? Ensuring that your furnace is the correct size for your home is crucial for long-term savings.
Below, we explore the signs that indicate your furnace may be the wrong size and provide detailed explanations of each furnace issue.
Common Issues with Furnace Size
A properly sized furnace should run longer to maintain an even temperature throughout your home. People often think furnace size only depends on how big their house is but you’ll run into problems. You might have a furnace that’s too big, too small, or just right. Here’s what each situation means:
Too Small
If your furnace is too small, it won’t keep up with cold weather. It will run constantly but won’t heat your home properly, leading to high energy bills and a cold house.
Too Big
If your furnace is too big, it will heat your home in short bursts. This can create hot and cold spots and cause the furnace to turn on and off frequently, which is inefficient.
Furnace Overheating
An overheating furnace is a serious issue that often indicates the unit is too large for your home. When a furnace is oversized, this excessive heat can trigger the furnace’s safety features, which are designed to shut the system down to prevent damage or even a fire.
Why It’s a Problem:
- Overheating can cause significant damage to the internal components of your furnace, including the heat exchanger.
- Frequent furnace overheating can also trip safety switches, leading to system shutdowns that leave your home without heat.
What to Do:
- A technician can assess whether the overheating is due to an improperly sized furnace or another issue, such as blocked vents or dirty filters.
Poor Air Quality
When a furnace heats your home too quickly, it may not run long enough to filter the air properly. To prevent this, it’s important to use a furnace sizing calculator. This tool helps you find the right furnace size by considering factors like the size of your home and your local climate.
Why It’s a Problem:
- Without proper filtration, dust and debris can accumulate in your home, leading to potential damage to your HVAC system.
- Inadequate air circulation can also result in stale or unpleasant odors lingering in your home.
What to Do:
- Consider upgrading your furnace filter to a higher-quality option that captures more airborne particles.
Furnace Runs Constantly
A furnace that runs continuously without reaching the desired temperature is likely undersized for your home. When a furnace is too small, it struggles to generate enough heat to keep up with your home’s heating demands. As a result, it runs almost nonstop, trying to maintain the set temperature, but often without success.
Why It’s a Problem:
- A furnace that runs constantly uses more energy. The system never gets a break, so it’s always consuming electricity or gas.
- Continuous operation puts extra strain on the furnace’s components.
What to Do:
- If the furnace is indeed undersized, consider replacing it with a properly sized unit to improve efficiency and comfort.
Uneven Heating in Your Home
Uneven heating is a common furnace symptom and issue in homes with an oversized furnace. This results in some rooms being too hot while others remain cold. It can make your home uncomfortable, as you may need to move from one room that’s too hot to another that’s too cold.
Why It’s a Problem:
- To compensate for the uneven heating, you may find yourself constantly adjusting the thermostat.
- It leads to stagnant air in some areas and poor indoor air quality.
What to Do:
- Check for issues like blocked vents or improper ductwork that could contribute to uneven heating.
- Consult an HVAC size professional to assess your furnace size and potentially replace it with a more appropriately sized unit.
High Energy Bills
A sudden spike in your energy bills can be a sign that your furnace is the wrong size. An oversized furnace wastes energy by constantly cycling on and off, while an undersized furnace runs constantly without efficiently heating your home.
Why It’s a Problem:
- Higher energy usage also hurts the environment.
- Over time, the additional costs associated with running an inefficient furnace can add up on your budget.
What to Do:
- Monitor your energy bills for any unusual increases, especially during the heating season.
- Have your HVAC size evaluated by a professional to determine whether a replacement is necessary.
Excessive Wear and Tear
Furnaces that are the wrong size experience excessive wear and tear compared to properly sized units. Short cycling, continuous operation, and furnace overheating all contribute to the accelerated deterioration of the furnace’s components.
Why It’s a Problem:
- An improperly sized furnace is more likely to require frequent repairs, which can be both inconvenient and expensive.
- The constant strain on the furnace from improper operation can significantly reduce its lifespan, meaning you may need to replace the unit sooner than expected.
What to Do:
- Schedule regular annual furnace maintenance to keep it in good working condition and catch potential issues early.
- Consider replacing it with a properly sized unit to reduce the likelihood of future problems.
Conclusion
If you notice signs, your furnace may be the wrong size. It won’t run all the time or cycle on and off too much. If you notice your furnace struggling during very cold weather, it’s likely working correctly and isn’t oversized. Don’t ignore these furnace symptoms – consult with an HVAC professional to assess your system and make any necessary adjustments.