Many home and business owners mistakenly believe that purchasing the biggest HVAC system they can afford is always the best solution. This fact is especially true for individuals who are replacing an older system that did not adequately cool the home. The truth of the matter is that bigger is not always better when it comes to purchasing an air conditioning system. There are several reasons you come out much better by choosing a system with a size and design that is a match for the spaces you wish to cool.
1. Frequent On/Off Cycles
Short cycling is the term used to describe an HVAC system that seems stuck in a continuous pattern of on and off cycles. When this happens, the system works harder to control the temperature inside the home. The result is more money paid to operate the air conditioning system. Constant on and off cycling will also lead to increased fuel consumption. Short cycling is usually not a problem for homeowners that choose the perfect-sized HVAC system for their home.
2. Excess Humidity
The relationship between temperature and humidity is an important consideration when choosing the size of your AC unit. For example, your family may find 77 degrees comfortable if the air in the home is dry. However, 72 degrees may seem unbearable when paired with high humidity. Removing moisture from the air inside your home is one of the most important functions of your air conditioning unit.
The moisture in your air is pulled into your air conditioner and turned into the water you may see draining from your system. However, it takes a bit of time for this process to play out. Some highly efficient AC units can remove as much as two gallons of moisture from the air in your home in an hour. This action can bring a lot of comfort to your family and increase the air quality in your home.
The problem with an oversized unit is that it may cool the temperature in your home too fast. The system, in many cases, will shut off before having time to eliminate the humidity that exists in the air inside your home. In extreme situations, oversized AC units can lead to excess moisture in various locations within your home in addition to the mold and mildew that may form on walls and ducts.
3. Uneven Temperatures
Frequent on and off cycles for an air conditioner will prevent rooms in your home that are further away from the unit from receiving the same amount of air as rooms that are closest to the AC unit. The result will be uneven temperatures throughout the home. This problem is less likely to happen when the right-sized air conditioning unit for your home is purchased.
4. Frequent Breakdowns
The short cycling described above will begin to wear on the individual parts that make up your air conditioning system over time. Homeowners who own HVAC systems that short cycle may experience a decline for several parts of the system. Unfortunately, this may happen sooner than necessary. The cost to repair and replace these parts can add up over time. You and your family will also experience discomfort while fixing and replacing the parts that break down your system.
5. Shorter Lifespan
The constant cycling that an improperly sized HVAC system goes through may significantly reduce its lifespan. In some cases, systems designed to last for 20 years may barely make it half that time. Air conditioning systems are expensive, and it is a must that families do what they can to enjoy the full lifespan of a unit.
6. Duct Sizes
A duct system ill-equipped to handle the load of an oversized AC unit may cause evaporator coils to freeze. When this happens, your HVAC system may not work at all. When the evaporator coils do not freeze, the loss of airflow will decrease the operating efficiency of the unit. The compressor and other parts of the system may also suffer from premature failure.
Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. has led the way in providing quality AC services for the people of Peoria and Central Illinois since 1983. Home and business owners interested in year-round comfort and reliable services for their HVAC system can put their trust in us for all their AC maintenance, installation and repair needs. Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. provides quality repair, maintenance and installation services for heating systems to provide customers with year-round comfort. We are also the go-to choice for families who want to improve the quality of air inside their homes.
