The Size of Your HVAC does Matter

Once upon a time, a little girl named Goldilocks wandered into the forest where she found a cabin inhabited by three bears. Now she didn’t know that this cabin belonged to a family of bears, so she went inside. First, she went into the kitchen, and on the table she found three bowls of porridge. One bowl was too large, the other bowl was too small, but the third bowl was just right…

I think you know the rest. Now, you may be wondering what on earth this has to do with HVAC. Well, the answer is simple. When it comes to installing a new HVAC system for your home, you want to be like Goldilocks. Don’t choose a system that’s too big. Don’t choose a system that’s too small. Instead, choose a system that’s just right.

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Too Small

The problem with choosing a system that’s too small is fairly obvious. If your HVAC system isn’t large enough for your home, it won’t be able to keep you comfortable, especially on the hottest and coldest days. The signature of an undersized HVAC system is that it runs constantly without ever reaching the set temperature. You’ll end up paying a lot of money in utility bills while still being too hot or too cold.

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Too Big

On the other hand, an HVAC that’s too big for your home also causes problems. The signature of an oversized HVAC is short-cycling—that means it only runs for 5-10 minutes at a time, then shuts back off because it’s already reached the set temperature. Short-cycling has two major disadvantages. First, because the system is constantly starting and stopping, it puts excessive stress on the motor. This can lead to more frequent breakdowns and ultimately shorten the lifespan of the unit.

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Second, when an air conditioner short-cycles, it cannot perform one of its two functions. You see, air conditioners don’t just cool the air in your home. They also dehumidify it. And reducing the humidity of the air means you’ll feel less sweaty and more comfortable overall. When the AC short-cycles, it doesn’t run long enough to take the moisture out of the air. So the air may be cooler, but the humidity level in your home will stay high.

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So, in order to make your home as comfortable and efficient as possible, it’s important to have a Comfort Specialist evaluate your home and calculate exactly what size HVAC unit will be just right for you. And then you’ll be able to sleep just as well as Goldilocks in Baby Bear’s bed.

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