How to Size Your HVAC Equipment in South Jersey
You want your minivan to have a little more “pep” when cruising Ocean Drive, so you head to a mechanic to upgrade your ride. The mechanic, eager to make a quick buck, convinces you to swap the standard engine for a massive, high-powered rocket thruster.
On paper, it sounds powerful. In reality, it’s a disaster.
Every time you tap the gas to go to the grocery store, the van jerks forward violently, reaches 60 mph in two seconds, and then you have to slam on the brakes. The tires smoke, the transmission screams, and your passengers need crash helmets.
This is precisely what happens when a contractor installs an oversized HVAC system in your home. Many homeowners hope that more powerful equipment will do a better job, but this is a common misconception. While a system that is too small isn't acceptable, one that is too big can be much, much worse.
At Comfort Now, we know you deserve better. You deserve a system that delivers efficiency and comfort at an affordable price. As your neighborhood HVAC company serving South Jersey Shore homeowners and businesses, that’s exactly what we deliver.
The Hidden Dangers of Buying the Wrong-Sized HVAC Unit
Unfortunately, many contractors in Atlantic and Cape May counties skip the math and head straight for the sale. They assume that bigger is better and sell you a 5-ton unit when a 3-ton unit is what your home actually requires.
4 reasons to avoid oversized systems
- Higher Utility Bills: It takes a massive amount of energy to start a large motor; a system that constantly restarts is an energy hog.
- More Breakdowns & Repair Bills: Constant starting and stopping—known as short-cycling—leads to excessive wear and tear on the components.
- Uncomfortable Humidity: An oversized AC shuts off before it can remove moisture from the air, leaving your home with uncomfortable summertime humidity.
- Mold & Health Risks: Short-cycling can lead to increased mold, dust mites, and allergies due to poor humidity control.
The 15-Year Mistake: Once that unit is installed, you are stuck with it for the next 12 to 15 years. Unless you want to pay thousands of dollars to replace a brand-new system, you’ll be living with "rocket engine" bills and patchy comfort for over a decade.
How to Calculate the Right HVAC Size for South Jersey Homes
At Comfort Now, we don’t guess—we calculate! Our Cape May Court House HVAC technicians are experts in Manual J load calculations.
This is the industry-standard scientific process that determines the exact BTUs (British Thermal Units) required to cool your home.
We account for your home’s specific layout, the direction your windows face, your insulation levels, and even the local South Jersey climate.
Our entire team at Comfort Now has spent years serving this community. We know how the humid Jersey summers and biting Atlantic winters affect our homes. We know how to engineer practical comfort solutions.
What Size HVAC for a 2,000 Sq. Ft. Home?
A common question we hear is, "What size unit do I need for my 2,000 sq. ft. house?"
While every home is different, a general estimate for a 2,000 sq. ft. home is typically between 3.0 and 3.5 tons—or 1 ton of cooling for every 500-600 square feet.
When it comes to your wallet, you want to be sure. A 2,000 sq. ft. home with brand-new energy-efficient windows and thick insulation might only need a 2.5-ton unit, while an older Shore home with drafty windows might need more.
If you install a 4-ton unit “just to be safe,” you've just bought yourself 15 years of high bills and clammy air.
Choose Comfort Now for HVAC in Atlantic County
Don’t let a quick-buck contractor turn your home into a vibrating minivan. At Comfort Now, we help you navigate Jersey rebates, while offering flexible financing options to ensure you get the most efficient technology at the best price.
Ready to see what size system your home actually needs? Book online with Comfort Now to get started today!
Frequently Asked HVAC Questions
My old AC ran non-stop on hot days. Does that mean it was too small?
Not necessarily! A properly sized air conditioner is actually supposed to run for hours at a time on the hottest afternoons for maximum efficiency, comfort, and durability. If it kept you comfortable, it was likely sized perfectly.
Will a bigger unit fix the hot rooms in the back of my house?
No. A bigger unit usually makes uneven temperatures worse. If specific rooms are hot, the issue is likely your ductwork or insulation, not the size of the AC unit.
What are the signs that my current system is oversized?
If your unit turns on and off every 5-10 minutes, your electricity bills are rising, or the air feels “heavy” and humid, you likely have an oversized system.
Call Jersey Shore’s Top HVAC Company
Let Comfort Now give your home the smooth, reliable ride it deserves. We’ll install a new system that fits your Cape May Court House home like a glove! Call us today at 609-241-9313 or request service online.