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How Improper HVAC Sizing Can Destroy Your Home

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The home is where we stay most of the time now, thanks to Covid-19. Are you having trouble with the HVAC system in your home? Is it overcooling or not heating it sufficiently? Chances are, you have an improper HVAC system for your home. Learn about some of the key reasons why improper HVAC sizing can affect your home life.

~ Why live uncomfortably? That can make you really cranky. Check your HVAC sizing. Image via Flickr by bark. ~

Ways How Improper HVAC Sizing Affects the Home

Improper HVAC sizing can affect your home and lifestyle in more ways than one. Let’s check them out so that you can rectify the situation immediately. In this instance, it’s probably going to be best to call out an HVAC expert, like the team at MetroPHA Cooling, out to fix the problem, but it helps if you are able to identify exactly what the problem is so that the professional will know what they are dealing with. 

Annoying Hot and Cold Spots 

Have you ever experienced having hot or cold spots within your home?

There can only be one culprit: You could be a victim of an improperly sized HVAC system.

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~ Excessively hot and cold spots in the home can be really annoying. That is especially irritating if your home office is hot. Your productivity will be greatly affected. ~

These spots occur because of two things:

  • Your HVAC system cannot circulate air sufficiently (it’s undersized)
  • It delivers too much heating or cooling (it’s oversized)

These two situations leave some rooms excessively hot or cold. Y

Poor Relative Humidity

Optimal indoor relative humidity should be between 40 to 50 percent.

If the relative humidity in your home is higher than 50 percent, it could be life-threatening to people who suffer from asthma or bronchitis-related complications.

The home environment also becomes conducive to biological growth and dust mite infestation

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~ A poor HVAC system can cause low humidity levels — the perfect ambiance for dust mites. These bugs can causes allergies, especially in babies and young children. ~

On the other hand, very low humidity results in dry air, which can irritate your throat and lungs. That environment creates an uncomfortable home to live in, right?

Meanwhile, HVAC systems have built-in mechanisms to regulate humidity, as they circulate air and drain condensed moisture. However, an improperly sized unit will not achieve this humidity range.

High Energy Bills

When your HVAC system keeps running for hours without delivering the home comfort results you expect, your energy bills will increase unnecessarily.

A properly sized HVAC system should cool or warm a room significantly within two to five minutes after turning on.

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~ The improper HVAC sizing can cause your electric bills to shoot up. ~

Similarly, you may think that an undersized HVAC system can save you money on energy usage. But honestly, it doesn’t.

You will only save on the initial cost of purchasing the unit. However, the longer your HVAC system runs, the more energy it consumes to condition the air in your home. 

Shorter Operating Lifespan

When you overuse or don’t use your HVAC equipment properly, you subject it to operating stress. Even if you have your system maintained regularly as instructed, some parts may still be affected by the excess operating load.

For example, a properly sized HVAC system attains the required temperature quicker without short cycling.

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~ With the right HVAC size, you can enjoy the same temperature everywhere around the house. No more hot and cold spots. ~

Multiple shutdowns and startups could also signal the beginning of endless repairs. With time, the entire HVAC system itself may fail beyond repair.

While you may be able to pay for repairs, the maintenance costs may be almost equivalent to installing a new HVAC system.  

Sizing Your HVAC System Correctly

Contrary to popular belief, getting an oversized HVAC system for your home won’t deliver better results.

Improper HVAC sizing is not good at all.

While you will experience faster cooling, your system’s operating lifespan may be compromised. The proper HVAC system sizing is vital if you want to enjoy maximum comfort in your home. 

Conclusion

The above points are only the few legit reasons why you need to consult a qualified HVAC technician to properly size your unit.

Have you heard about the ACCA Manual J load calculation? The ACCA Manual J is the correct way to size HVAC systems.

It is something that your HVAC technician can help you calculate, which is why you need a professional.

  • Related: Want Fresher Air at Home? Place indoor plants in the living room and your bedrooms. Aglaonema or Chinese evergreens are good air purifiers and also easy to maintain.
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