How Do You Know What Size Furnace You Need?

December 20, 2021

Updated March 24, 2026 Unfortunately, furnaces don’t last forever but have an expected service life of usually between 15 and 20 years. While it’s disappointing that you will have to reinvest in your furnace, at least it’s something you can plan to happen. When it is time to replace your furnace, you want to make sure you get the right size for your home. Here’s some information on why size matters and the variables to consider. Understanding Furnace Sizes The very first part of learning about furnaces is understanding how they are sized. When thinking about most HVAC systems, the size is measured in terms of BTUs, which stands for British Thermal Units. One BTU is the amount of energy required to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Commonly seen among furnaces is also the use of the term tonnes, such as 10.5 or 11.3 tonnes. This is simply another way of referring to BTUs, with one tonne equaling 12,000 BTUs. So if you need a furnace that produces 92,000 BTUs, that’ll be about 7.7 tonnes. Getting the size wrong can cost you thousands in energy bills and repairs over the next decade. Don’t guess—get a professional...

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Top Reasons Why Your Furnace Is Blowing Cold Air

December 6, 2021

Updated March 24, 2026 It can be frustrating when your furnace is blowing only cold air in winter. Several factors may force your heating system to generate insufficient heat. Here are some tips for troubleshooting your furnace. When to call a pro: Is the thermostat set to “Auto” instead of “On”? (The “On” setting blows air even when the furnace isn’t heating). Is the air filter completely clogged? Is the furnace power switch (it looks like a light switch) flipped up? Problems With the Thermostat If your furnace is blowing cold air, the problem could be incorrect thermostat configurations. So start by checking the settings on your thermostat. Ensure it is on “AUTO” mode and not “ON.” Some systems can run efficiently on the “ON” mode. But for most conventional furnaces, it will only make the furnace run continuously. Your furnace will heat your home insufficiently, and critical components will deteriorate faster. You may have a defective or incompatible thermostat. As the center of heating regulation, an incompatible device may not work correctly with your HVAC system controls. But before getting a new thermostat, change the batteries on the device. Also, consider the placement of your thermostat. When the device...

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