When homeowners start thinking about replacing their HVAC system, the conversation often centers around the leading brands in the industry and which logo to trust the most. A good HVAC brand is important in terms of quality, but it’s rarely the reason a home feels comfortable or uncomfortable.
In a recent Home Answers Radio conversation with our founder, Mark Portuese, one topic kept coming up: system size. It’s not about the label or marketing claims, but whether or not the system actually fits the home it was meant to serve.
It was only a handful of years ago that there were significant differences between HVAC manufacturers. Some brands were clear winners over others and outperformed the pack. Today’s technology has narrowed that gap significantly.
If you’re ready to make the switch to a new HVAC system, you have enhanced features. Most modern systems:
What you’re paying for is the quality of installation and the design of your HVAC system. That’s why we don’t make recommendations based on brand loyalty. Comfort, efficiency, and reliability come from how a system is selected and installed, and not from the logo stamped on the cabinet.
One of the most common complaints homeowners have is uneven comfort in their home. They might have a second floor that never cools down or a home that feels muggy in the summer or drafty in the winter months. Or they might report that their HVAC system runs constantly but never quite settles in.
The issue isn’t necessarily the equipment, but the size of the system.
Oversized HVAC systems can:
Mark also explained during the interview that the team downsizes most people’s systems, which ultimately makes homes more comfortable and efficient.
In our years of experience, comfort isn’t necessarily about the power of your HVAC systems but about the balance they offer.
When your system is aging or wearing out, it’s normal to think about making the swap with an HVAC replacement of the same size. It seems intuitive, safe, and familiar, especially if your last system lasted a long time.
Although the size of your home may not have changed, the conditions probably have. Did you:
About 80% of the systems our team sees aren’t sized correctly to begin with. Replacing what’s there usually just repeats the same problem.
When you’re installing a new HVAC system, it should be sized for the home you live in now, not the one that existed years ago.
Getting the size of your HVAC right for your home isn’t a loose estimate or guesswork, and it’s not based on square footage alone. It all starts with a full load calculation, or a detailed assessment of how your home gains or loses heat.
Our load calculation process looks at:
If the load and the ductwork don’t match, we don’t install the system. When you work with On the Mark Heating & Air, we only recommend and install systems that make sense for the house.
This kind of load calculation and assessment takes more time than someone coming out and taking a quick glance or looking at your square footage. However, it is the reason HVAC systems perform better, last longer, and feel more consistent day to day.
Even if you’re still early in the process of choosing a new HVAC, there are a few things worth asking any contractor you speak with.
A solid recommendation should include:
The load calculation isn’t a secret. Anyone installing a system should be able to show you how they arrived at their recommendation.
If sizing can’t be explained, it’s worth slowing the conversation down.
Heating and cooling systems are complex enough on their own. That’s why the team at On the Mark Heating & Air focuses on HVAC and indoor air quality to enhance your safety and comfort. We consider how well a system is sized, how air moves through the home, and whether everything works together as a whole.
If you’re considering a new system, brand names shouldn’t be the starting point. The better questions are whether or not the system fits the home, will work with the existing ductwork, and will actually address the comfort issues you’re dealing with day to day. When those pieces all line up, comfort becomes consistent and long-lasting performance follows.
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