Is a Bigger HVAC System Better?

You know the saying, “Everything is Bigger in Texas,” but is that true for HVAC Systems?

Our heat would certainly call for the biggest air conditioner in the country if that’s how AC systems actually worked. In reality, however, you may find that choosing an HVAC System for your home is a lot like Goldilocks choosing the right bed. In other words, the challenge is finding an air conditioner that’s not too big or too small.

Each home has different needs when it comes to HVAC systems, so you’ll need to find the one that’s just right for yours.

What Happens If an Air Conditioner Is Too Big?

A system that is too large for your home could cause you more trouble than you might expect.

Because the system is so large, it tries to cool your home with considerably more energy and ends up turning on and off much more quickly. Sounds great, right? Yet, in reality, if it’s running shorter cycles, it’s not pulling enough humidity out of the air, and your home isn’t being cooled efficiently at all. So you’re essentially paying more money to run that huge system and getting less cold air for your buck.

For example, if your thermostat tells the HVAC System to cool your home to 75 degrees, the bigger system kicks on and uses all of its force to cool your home in a matter of minutes to the desired temperature.

Because it was on for such a short time, though, it didn’t have a chance to collect all the moisture in the air. So, even though your thermostat reads 75 degrees, your home is muggy, leaving you feeling just as gross and sweaty as if you had taken a long walk in the Texas heat.

In addition to an uncomfortable home, moisture problems are unavoidable with a system that’s too large.  All that extra moisture in the air can contribute to mold and mildew growth in your vents and ducts, which can lead to indoor allergies and other health issues.

Too Small?

In theory, it would be better to have an HVAC system that’s too small. Air conditioners that are too small for the home run on longer cycles than normal. Even though it’s running longer cycles, it pulls more humidity out of the air with each cycle, keeping your home moisture-free.

However, this kind of overcompensation will overwork the system until you have a broken-down unit on your hands.

There is a wide range of factors you need to consider when searching for the perfect cooling system for your home, including where you live, the hours you’ll be running it, where the windows are in your home and how shaded they are, and the size of your home.

Considering all these factors will help you find the perfect HVAC System for your home and ensure each summer is comfortable.

At Willard, we’re here to get you the most energy savings we can. If you’re not sure about what size AC you need, give us a call! We’ll send our experts out to your home to help you determine the right HVAC system for you!