There are many different charts that show the size of a furnace. These charts show how the square footage of a home relates to the number of BTUs it takes to heat it. A 2,400-square-foot house needs a 70000 BTU gas furnace.
The size of a furnace is based on how much heat it can make in an hour, which is measured in BTUs. A BTU is the amount of energy needed to raise one degree Fahrenheit in a pound of water. The more heat a furnace can give off, the higher its BTU rating.
But the furnace has to be the right size for it to work right. Too many people make the mistake of buying the wrong size furnace for their home, which can lead to uncomfortable temperatures and extra costs. Follow our detailed guide on how to figure out the right size furnace for your home to avoid these kinds of headaches.
What is a 70000 BTU gas furnace?
If you live near a natural gas line, a 70000 BTU gas furnace might be cheaper to run than an electric furnace. This is especially true if your home already has a natural gas line.
A 70000 BTU natural gas furnace works by lighting the natural gas in the burner. The flames heat up a metal heat exchanger, which then heats the cold air coming into your home through the ductwork. The blower then sends the warm air into your home through the ductwork.
For the exhaust from a natural gas furnace to leave your home, you need a chimney. At least once a year, the flue pipe will need to be checked to make sure that poisonous gasses don’t get into your home.
A gas furnace costs more to buy than an electric furnace, but it costs less to run because it uses natural gas instead of electricity. It is also more powerful than an electric furnace because the air in the heat exchange chamber can be heated faster.
If Your Furnace Is Too Big
Some people may think that a bigger furnace will keep their home warm, but this is not true. When a furnace is too big, the following things can happen:
- You’ll feel uncomfortable. Oversized heaters tend to work in short bursts, and when it gets cold, they turn on and heat up some parts of the house too quickly, making them too hot to be comfortable. The heater will then turn off, which will make some parts of the house feel like an oven and others like a freezer.
- Less efficient use of energy. Large heaters are less efficient because they have to be turned on and off more often.
- A short life. If you turn the heater on and off all the time, it will wear out and break down sooner than it should.
- You’ll have to fix it up a lot. Not only will your system last less long, but you may also have to fix it, which can be expensive.
If Your Furnace Is Too Small
If your furnace is too small for your home, you’ll also run into several problems, many of which are the same:
- You’ll feel uncomfortable. This is especially true on the coldest days of the year, when your furnace won’t be able to keep up with the low temperatures. Furnaces that are too small can’t make up for the difference and make your home feel comfortable.
- High bills for power. Your monthly energy bills will be more than they should be because your furnace will be running all the time.
- A short life. Your furnace will also wear out faster because it is running all the time.
- Poor heating. There will be places in the house that are too hot or too cold.
- How Big Your Furnace Should Be
- If your furnace is the right size for your home, it will slowly warm up your home. By doing this, your equipment will use much less energy and last much longer. If you’ve noticed that your furnace runs almost all the time, it could be because it’s too small. And if it keeps turning on and off, that could mean that your furnace is too big.
If your furnace is the right size, you shouldn’t have any cold or hot spots. It is important to remember, though, that on really cold nights, even the right size furnace might not be able to keep you comfortable. This is nothing to worry about; it just means you may still need to bundle up sometimes.
Should you choose a 70000 BTU gas furnace?
Having a licensed HVAC technician come to your home is the best thing you can do for yourself. Once there, they can answer your questions about your old heating system and give you their professional opinion about the right size of furnace for your home. You might also want to talk to them about 70000 BTU gas furnace while you’re there.
