Heat pumps are great, period. They're cheaper to run when compared to standard central air conditioners -- up to 50% cheaper, according to the Department of Energy -- and make it easy to tackle hot and cold weather. But to make the most of your setup, choosing the right size heat pump is essential. You wouldn't want to spend money on a system that's too powerful and requires more energy to run, or not powerful enough and has to run harder than intended to keep up with the space it's heating and cooling. Here's how to pick the right one for your home.
The importance of finding the right size heat pump
It might seem like the size of your heat pump isn't that important. After all, what's the worst that can happen if it's a bit too small or too large? You might be surprised to learn just how important it is to find the right size. Having a heat pump that's either too small or too large can result in unnecessarily high energy costs.
If your heat pump is too small for your home, it likely won't work properly. You could end up paying higher heating and cooling bills because the heat pump will struggle to heat and cool your home. Because the heat pump has to work harder to get your home to the right temperature, you can also expect to pay higher repair and maintenance costs.
On the other hand, oversized heat pumps will produce more energy than you need, which wastes energy and reduces efficiency.
How to size a heat pump
There are a couple of different methods you can use to find the right size heat pump for your home: Manual J and square footage. We'll discuss each of those in further detail below.
Manual J
Manual J calculation is the industry standard of sizing a heat pump. It was established by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America to help determine the proper size heat pump for your home based on eight different factors. The eight factors that Manual J considers are:
- The local climate, including how many days per year you need heating and cooling
- Your home's square footage and layout
- How many windows you have and where they're located
- Your home's air filtration
- The insulation quality in your home
- How many people live in your home
- Your preferred temperature
- Heat-generating appliances in your home
Square footage
There are a lot of factors that go into calculating your heat pump size, and it can be complicated to determine how each of those affects your heat pump needs. Luckily, there's a simpler approach you can take to choose the right size heat pump.
In general, every 500 square feet of your home will require one ton of air conditioning capacity. Here are some guidelines to help you determine how many tons you'll need:
- 500 square feet: 1 ton
- 1,000 square feet: 2 tons
- 1,500 square feet: 3 tons
- 2,000 square feet: 4 tons
- 2,500 square feet: 5 tons
- 3,000 square feet: 6 tons
It's also important to know what each ton equals in BTUs, or British thermal units, which is the measurement used to determine heat pump sizing. Use this chart to help you determine the BTUs needed for your home:
Heat pump size guide
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| Home size (in square feet) | Heat pump size (in tons) | Heat pump size (in BTUs) |
|---|---|---|
| 500 square feet | 1 ton | 12,000 BTUs |
| 1,000 square feet | 2 tons | 24,000 BTUs |
| 1,500 square feet | 3 tons | 36,000 BTUs |
| 2,000 square feet | 4 tons | 48,000 BTUs |
| 2,500 square feet | 5 tons | 60,000 BTUs |
| 3,000 square feet | 6 tons | 72,000 BTUs |
Once you know the appropriate number of BTUs required for your home's heat pump, you can start shopping for the right one. Remember that you can also work with an HVAC expert who can help offer some guidelines and advice.
The bottom line
Finding the right heat pump size for your home is critical when it comes to saving money on energy and keeping your home at the right temperature in both the winter and summer. Sizing your heat pump may seem difficult at first, but it's actually pretty simple to figure out. And luckily, there are plenty of heat pump sizing calculators available online to simplify the process further. And once you know what size heat pump you need, the process of finding the right one should be a breeze.
Keep reading to learn more about heating and cooling your home:
- Heat Pump vs. Furnace: Learn the Difference and Find Out Which One Is Best for You
- Heat Pump Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know About This Furnace and AC Alternative
- This One Simple Thing Can Help Your Furnace Last Years Longer
