What is load calculation and how does it factor in to my new air conditioner?

July 07, 2016

If it’s time to think about an air conditioner replacement, having a professional perform a load calculation is important in picking the system that will work best for your home. All homes are unique in their cooling needs. If your system is inappropriately sized, it will decrease your comfort and raise your utility bills. Let’s explain what goes into a load calculation.

Originally, a load calculation was determined only by figuring the square footage of a home. That’s still one piece of the puzzle, but we include various other factors to find the products that will be the best for your home. Our experts will look at the climate in Crystal and Twin Cities, the square footage and structure of your home, the level of insulation, your roof size and type, the size and location of windows, your home’s sun exposure and your family’s habits and schedule.

We would love to help you find the air conditioner replacement that completes your home. If your system is too small, you’ll have issues keeping your home at the ideal temperature. And just because a system is bigger doesn’t always mean it’s better. Actually, if your system is too large for your home, you could have a lot of problems:

  • Because it won’t have to operate as long, an oversized system will continuously warm up and cool down. This creates more wear and tear on the system than necessary.
  • It can also minimize effectiveness and raise utility bills.
  • Another problem with an oversized system turning on and off too often is it will fail to dehumidify your air properly.

One key to your home’s comfort is maintaining decent airflow. GV Heating & Air can help with a room-by-room load calculation. We will make sure all components of your system—your air conditioner, ductwork and registers—are working together to keep you comfortable.

At GV Heating & Air, we specialize in keeping your Crystal and Twin Cities home comfortable and maximizing energy efficiency. If you’re considering an air conditioner replacement, give us a call at 763-535-2000.