Warning Signs of an HVAC System That Was Sized Wrong in the Design Phase
You put the thermostat at a certain temperature and your home will not get there. Some rooms are cold, others are stuffy. The system is hardly old yet but the energy bill keeps going up.
There is a good chance the trouble can be traced back to the design stage, well before any equipment was put in. At HVAC Essentials we do more than just install; our expertise is in the design and testing side of things, from Manual J load calculations to Manual D for ductwork and Manual S for sizing the equipment. Give us a ring at (225) 314-7392 and we can have a conversation about what you are seeing in your house.
A system that has been sized poorly on paper will be a source of headaches for years. Homeowners tend to think the installer made an error or the unit is on its last legs without ever knowing the true cause: from day one it was either too small or too large for the space.
We will outline the warning signs below so as to put matters in perspective.
Oversized Systems
More often than not a system is oversized. One does not need a bigger unit for better heating and cooling. In fact, a unit of excess size will put the job of heating or cooling your home to a quick end and then shut off.
Tell tale signs include:
- Short cycling with the system in quick bursts on and off
- A clammy feeling in the room come summer since the unit is not on long enough to deal with the humidity
- Disparities in temperature between rooms
- Energy bills that are higher than they ought to be given how little the system runs
- Equipment that sees undue wear from being started and stopped
- Periods of loud air followed by nothing
Humidity is what most people will tell you is the problem. An air conditioner is meant to dehumidify as well as cool. With an oversized unit the air is cooled in short order and the thermostat is met and the machine is off before it can pull the moisture out. The result is you are cold and sticky.
Undersized Systems
Then there is the undersized system which can’t keep pace. It puts in the hours and still doesn’t provide the comfort for which you shelled out.
Some of the things to look for:
- A system that is hard put to shut off
- On the extremes of weather the home won’t make the thermostat setting
- Uncomfortable conditions in the rooms at a distance from the unit
- No respite for the equipment and high bills to show for it
- Breakdowns when the system is overworked and you need it most during peak weather
The components inside an undersized system take a beating from being run at full capacity for hours and will not last.
Equipment Brand Is Not Everything
Homeowners are apt to worry over what brand of unit to purchase. Yet that is of less consequence than having a system properly sized for the home in question.
It all comes down to a Manual J load calculation done right, taking into consideration sun exposure, square footage, where the windows are, the height of the ceiling and insulation. Do without that and rely on a rule of thumb and the system will be unsuited to your space.
Ductwork is no different. A Manual D design is what ensures the ducts can handle the air flow. And Manual S is to verify the equipment is in line with the load. Omit these and you are bound to run into the issues we have described.
How to Put It Right
When the symptoms are there, an objective review of the system’s design is in order. We provide Manual J, D and S services in every state. For those in South Louisiana, be they contractor or homeowner, we have blower door and duct blasting available to root out any leakage that would only compound a sizing issue.
With our ACCA certification and years in the field as contractors we know the numbers and the practical solutions. Floor plans and an intake form is all we need and we will have your design done in two business days.
Our doors are open 8 to 5 Monday to Saturday. Should your home not be as comfortable as it ought to be, call (225) 314-7392 and let the team at HVAC Essentials find out why.