There are several factors you will probably consider when shopping for a new HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system for your Dayton area home. These factors may include the energy efficiency of the equipment, the square footage of your home and the price tag. However, what may initially appear to be the best selection may not be the best choice if you have not had a load calculation completed for your home, and then considered the results.
An HVAC load calculation is a mathematical determination of the BTUs a system must provide to achieve ideal heating and cooling comfort for a home’s occupants. BTU, which stands for British Thermal Unit, is equal to the approximate amount of heat required to heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. BTUs are just one of the many factors you need to know for an accurate load calculation.
Important load calculation factors:
- The size of the house and its location are important.
- The cubic footage
- A one-story or two-story structure
- The direction the house faces; amount of sun during different seasons
- Trees, shrubs and/or other objects that create shaded areas
- The climate in the area must be evaluated.
- Elevation
- Latitude
- Relative humidity
- Temperature fluctuations
- The interior floor plan is an important consideration. Large open areas will have different requirements than a house with small, enclosed rooms.
- The airtightness and insulation will be a large factor in a load calculation.
- The U-values of the windows, their sizes and orientations
- The insulation values of the walls, attic and crawl spaces
- Ductwork passing through any highly-insulated area, or through uninsulated areas
- The people living in the house and their lifestyle
- The number and type of electronics
- Lighting and appliances
Even an HVAC system with a high energy-efficiency rating may not sufficiently meet the needs of your home and your family if it’s not sized to fit the heating and cooling load calculations. A knowledgeable homeowner may be able to perform a do-it-yourself load calculation, but for the best results, use the services of a local company with years of experience in the Dayton area. Please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. for an accurate and thorough load calculation of your heating and cooling needs.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC Systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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