Heat Pump and Furnace Sizing
Equipment sizing sets the capacity of the furnace, heat pump or air conditioner from a room-by-room CSA F280 heat loss and heat gain, not a rule of thumb. For heat pumps, we check the unit's output at Calgary's winter design temperature and size the backup heat to cover the gap. It is for builders, HVAC contractors and homeowners who want equipment that fits the house. Most single-family homes take 3 to 5 business days.
- Turnaround
- Most single-family homes take 3 to 5 business days, including the heat loss calculation.
- Built for
- Infill and custom home builders, HVAC contractors, Homeowners
- Where
- Calgary and across Alberta.
Scope
What is included
- Heating and cooling loads from a CSA F280-12 calculation
- Furnace output sized to the heat loss, not to the old unit
- Cold-climate heat pump capacity checked at low outdoor temperatures
- Backup heat sizing: electric, or a gas furnace in a dual-fuel setup
- Air conditioner sizing from the heat gain
- Ventilation rates and HRV sizing
- Airflow checks so the equipment matches the duct system
Scope: houses, duplexes and townhomes under Part 9 of the building code, including infills, custom homes, major renovations, secondary suites and basement developments. We do not design commercial (Part 3) buildings.
Process
What you send and what you get back
You send
- Floor plans, elevations and sections (PDF or DWG)
- Window and door sizes, or a window schedule
- Insulation values, or your energy code compliance path
- The project address
- Your equipment plan: furnace, heat pump, dual fuel or not sure yet
- Model numbers, if you already have a quote
You get back
- Equipment sizing summary with heating and cooling capacities
- Heat pump capacity check at the design temperature
- Backup heat recommendation
FAQ
Common questions about heat pump and furnace sizing
Will a heat pump keep my house warm in a Calgary cold snap?
It can, with the right backup. Most cold-climate heat pumps lose capacity as it gets colder. We size the heat pump and the backup heat together, so the house stays warm at the design temperature and the backup only runs when it has to.
Why not just put in a bigger furnace?
An oversized furnace turns on and off too often. That wears it out sooner and leaves some rooms too hot and others too cold. Sizing to the calculated heat loss gives steadier heat from a smaller unit.
Can you check the size of equipment I have been quoted?
Yes. We run the heat loss and heat gain for your home, then tell you whether the equipment on your quote is the right size.
Other services
- Heat Loss and Heat Gain Calculations (CSA F280)Room-by-room heat loss and heat gain to CSA F280-12, ready for your permit. For Part 9 houses, infills, custom homes, major renos and basement developments.
- Residential Duct DesignSupply and return duct sizing, register and grille placement, and a duct layout drawn on your floor plans. Built from the room-by-room airflow.
- HVAC DraftingCAD drafting support for HVAC contractors, builders and design firms. We draw your completed design so your team can get back to work.
04 / Quote
Get your equipment sized
Tell us about the project and Raymond will reply within one business day with a fixed price and a delivery date for your heat pump and furnace sizing job.
- contact@ductscale.ca
- Phone
- 825-964-2917