It's that time of year again when the weather starts to cool off and we start thinking about turning on the heat. But before you do, it's important to understand how heating and cooling loads affect your HVAC system. Heating and cooling loads are the amount of heat that must be added or removed from a space to maintain a comfortable temperature. The load is affected by a number of factors, including the size of the space, the insulation of the walls and ceiling, the number of windows and doors, and the amount of sun exposure. When the load is too much for the HVAC system to handle, the space will become uncomfortable and the system will have to work harder to maintain the temperature. This can lead to higher energy bills and premature wear and tear on the system. To avoid these problems, it's important to have your HVAC system sized properly for the space it will be heating or cooling. An HVAC contractor can help you determine the appropriate size for your system.