Your home is using too much electricity. Your energy bills are through the roof, and you suspect your HVAC system is to blame. How much wattage does it take to heat or cool your home? Is the system using more than that? Here’s how to tell if your system uses too much wattage.
Your HVAC Size
An AC or heat pump uses 1,000 watts for every ton of cooling capacity it produces. As such, if your system is using more wattage than it should, that means it’s producing more cooling than it needs. In other words, the unit is too big for your home.
The first sign of an oversized HVAC system is increased energy bills from too much wattage. You should also look for short cycling. Since the system is using too much power, it starts turning on and off repeatedly, in rapid succession. This not only wastes energy but wears out the unit.
You may also notice disparate temperatures between rooms and even across the same room. This may give you a clammy, uncomfortable feeling throughout the house and make it difficult to reach your target temperature.
Use Manual J to Avoid Too Much Wattage
If your HVAC system is too big for your home, you’ll need to get a new one. It may seem like a big expense, but the wrong-size system will cost much more in the long run. Not only does it drive your energy bills up, the overwork of short-cycling means it will need repairs more frequently and ultimately break down sooner. You’re better off getting a new one now.
When you do, make sure your HVAC technician sizes the unit properly using Manual J. This is a method of determining exactly how much cooling your home needs based on its size, layout, how many windows it has, its insulation type, and a variety of other factors. Manual J ensures you get the right-size system to maximize both comfort and efficiency.
If you’re worried your HVAC system has too much wattage, contact us at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We help Indianapolis homes get the right unit for their needs.
