The most common misconception that arises during the process of replacing a furnace is thinking that a bigger furnace will heat your home more efficiently and quickly––but that’s not necessarily the case. Rather, this misconception is usually the start of many problems. Here’s what’s wrong with a getting furnace that’s too big for your house.

Uneven Heat Distribution

The main issue with having a furnace that’s too big for its home is the problem of heat distribution; it’s a problem that even those with well-fit furnaces face. Often, the relationship between the thermostat and the heating unit is the culprit. If the thermostat is in the warmest room in the house, it may trigger the heater to turn off before the rest of the house is warm, and, if the thermostat is in the coldest room, it may not shut the heat off until the rest of the house is too warm. This issue becomes more dramatic when an oversized furnace is added to the mix. The heater will quickly heat up your space and shut off again, leaving one room warm and the others cold.

Less Efficient

Having a furnace that’s too big is actually less efficient than a well-fitting furnace because peak efficiency is only reached after the warmup phase. Similarly to the heat distribution problem explained above, a furnace that’s too big will quickly warm the home to temperatures that trigger the thermostat to shut off the heater. The temperature in the home will then drop down again, triggering the furnace to turn back on. In this repetitive cycle, the furnace doesn’t spend much time at peak efficiency.

Shorter Lifespan

A furnace that’s too big will have a shorter lifespan as a result of the two issues explained above. A furnace that’s turning on and off frequently doesn’t spend much, if any, time operating at peak efficiency and will ultimately wear down its components much quicker as a result.

Getting the right sized furnace will yield a more comfortable space, lower heating bills, and a more reliable heating unit.