It’s time to install a new HVAC system. You’re in the process of searching out the perfect air conditioner and heating unit for your East Texas home.
Why not get a larger unit? It seems like bigger should be better when it comes to the ability to heat and cool your home, right?
Not in this case.
Unfortunately, bigger is not better when it comes to oversized HVAC units.
What Does “Oversized” Mean?
“Oversized” doesn’t just refer to the actual physical size of the unit. It also includes the unit’s ability to cool and heat your home, and whether the unit goes beyond your home’s heating and cooling needs.
While it might not seem like a big deal for your HVAC unit to exceed your home’s needs, any AC repair company in Texas and beyond will tell you you’re making a mistake installing an oversize unit and here’s a few reasons why:
Decreasing Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
While this one might come as something of a surprise, a larger unit is generally less efficient when it comes to bringing down your electricity bill. It might seem that an oversized unit would be more efficient when it comes to your home’s electricity usage, but the opposite is actually true. An oversized unit often isn’t able to complete a full cycle.
The “cycle” refers to the time your unit is running to properly cool or heat your home. An average cycle can be 2-3 times per hour, depending on the unit and the size of the space that’s being heated or cooled.
If your system isn’t completing a heating or cooling cycle as it should, it can cause your unit to shut down and start up over and over instead of efficiently running through a full cycle before shutting down and then turning back on again.
If it is short cycling, not only is your unit not working as it should—chances are your electric bills are also going up.
Spending unnecessary funds installing an oversized unit won’t lead to more efficiency or save you money in utility bills.
Discuss to your local AC and heating company about what size unit is best for your home or business.
Let’s Talk About Short Cycling
This refers to when your AC unit doesn’t complete a full cycle, causing it to turn off and then back on again more often than it’s supposed to, which isn’t good for numerous reasons.
One of the biggest reasons is that it causes your HVAC system to work less efficiently. This lapse in efficiency causes issues such as a rise in your home’s energy consumption as mentioned previously and also creates problems with your home’s temperature and humidity levels.
East Texas can be an incredibly humid place. Part of cooling your home is managing the humidity levels and keeping moisture from accumulating in the air. A short cycle doesn’t allow enough time for the humidity levels in your home or business to lower, which not only creates a less comfortable environment. High humidity levels can also cause the growth of airborne contaminants such as mold and mildew, which can be harmful to your home’s occupants.
In addition to not decreasing the humidity, short cycling also causes swings in your home’s temperature. If the machine is suddenly putting out large blasts of hot or cold air and then abruptly shutting off, it’s not creating a consistent room temperature. Not only is this compromising the comfort of your space—it’s also costing more in your energy bill to do so.
If you recently purchased a home and notice that your unit is behaving this way, troubleshoot common HVAC issues such as changing the air conditioner or furnace filters and cleaning the ductwork, but if the issues continues, have a professional inspect your unit with state of the art products and diagnostic equipment to rule out any other problems and determine whether you have an HVAC unit that’s too large.
What’s Up With the Thermostat?
If you have a programmable thermostat but notice you need to keep adjusting your home’s temperature, the culprit might be an oversize heating and cooling system.
Is It Time for a New AC?
No one wants to hear that they need a new air conditioner, but if your home’s system is too large, you might be needing a new HVAC unit sooner than later. Running improperly and constantly short cycling means your air conditioner and furnace are experiencing more than the acceptable amount of wear and tear. This means your system is likely to break down more often, necessitating more fixes and the inevitability of a new unit sooner than if you had an HVAC unit that properly fit your home.
If any of these signs sound familiar, contact a professional Texas AC company to make sure your heating and cooling system are the right size for your space. At East Texas Refrigeration, proper system sizing is never a guess. Our team has in-house engineering capabilities to accurately evaluate your home or commercial space and determine the correct HVAC unit for the application. By accounting for factors like square footage, insulation, airflow, and East Texas climate conditions, ETR ensures your system is sized for efficiency, comfort, and long term performance from the start.
