How we size a system instead of just matching the old one

The fastest way to quote a system replacement is to match whatever tonnage was there before. It’s also how a lot of homes end up with a system that’s the wrong size for their actual cooling load — because the old system may have been mis-sized from the start, or the home has changed since it was installed: new windows, added insulation, a finished attic space, or a room addition.

What a real load calculation checks

A Manual J load calculation — the industry-standard method, not a rule of thumb — accounts for square footage, window count and orientation, insulation levels, ceiling height, and even how many people typically occupy the home. It’s the difference between sizing to a formula and sizing to your actual house.

Why oversized is a real problem, not a safe bet

An oversized system cools the air fast enough to satisfy the thermostat before it’s had time to pull humidity out — which is exactly the short-cycling, sticky-feeling-house problem we get called about constantly. Bigger isn’t a safety margin; it’s a specific set of comfort and efficiency problems in a humid climate.

What this means for your quote

Every replacement quote we give is backed by an actual load calculation for your home, not the tonnage that happened to be there before. It takes longer than eyeballing the old unit — it’s also why our installs don’t come back as short-cycling complaints.