Why Hendrix Evaluates Your Home Before Replacing Your HVAC System
If you have been shopping for a new heating and cooling system, you have probably heard a few different opinions on “what size” you need. Some companies ask for your square footage and give you a quote. Others look at the old equipment and recommend the same size again.
At Hendrix Heating & Air Conditioning, we do it differently, and for a simple reason. We do not believe in guessing.
Before we recommend a replacement system, we evaluate your home first using two key steps (the same two steps outlined in our homeowner fact sheet you may have seen): a Heat Load Calculation and a TruFlow® Air Test. Together, these help ensure you get a system that is properly sized and supported by your ductwork so it can actually perform the way it is designed to.
That protects your comfort, your energy bills, and your investment.
The Big Problem With “Close Enough” HVAC Sizing
In the Mid Willamette Valley, we see this all the time. A home in Albany or Corvallis might have a system that “works,” but certain rooms never feel right. Or the system cycles on and off too often. Or the energy bill feels higher than it should for mild Oregon summers and wet winters.
A lot of those issues trace back to one of two things:
The system is not sized correctly for the home
The ductwork cannot deliver the airflow that system requires
When either one is off, even brand-new equipment can underperform.
And one of the most common causes is oversizing.
Why Oversizing Hurts More Than Homeowners Realize
An oversized system can:
Heat and cool too quickly, leading to short run times
Create more noticeable temperature swings
Reduce humidity control during air conditioning season
Increase wear from frequent starts and stops
Make your home feel less comfortable even with “better” equipment
Bigger is not better in HVAC. Correct is better.
Step 1: Heat Load Calculation (Sizing the System to Your Home)
A heat load calculation is the process of determining how much heating and cooling your home actually needs. It is the foundation for choosing the right capacity system.
Square footage alone is not enough. Two homes that are the same size can require very different system sizing depending on construction and conditions.
A proper heat load calculation looks at factors like:
Home size and layout
Insulation levels and air leakage
Windows, doors, and sun exposure
Ceiling heights, number of floors, and local climate
In our area, local climate matters. Wet winters, mild summers, and the occasional cold snap all affect how a home should be sized for comfort and efficiency. And if you have older windows, uneven insulation, or a lot of west-facing glass, that can change the load even more.
Why It Matters to You
When sizing is based on real data (not estimates), you get benefits like:
Maximum energy efficiency
More even temperatures
Reduced wear and longer equipment life
Bottom line: Correct sizing is based on data, not estimates.
Step 2: TruFlow® Air Test (Confirming Your Ductwork Can Deliver Proper Airflow)
Once we know what size system your home needs, we still have one more critical question to answer:
Can your ductwork actually support that system?
That is where the TruFlow® Air Test comes in.
Your HVAC equipment is designed to operate within a specific airflow range. If the duct system cannot move enough air, the system cannot perform properly. Even top-tier equipment will struggle if airflow is restricted.
The TruFlow® air test measures how much air your HVAC system and ductwork can actually move. It helps confirm whether your ductwork can deliver the airflow needed for the system size we are recommending.
Why Airflow Is a Big Deal
Proper airflow helps:
Reduce system noise and mechanical strain
Improve comfort and energy efficiency
Extend equipment life
Bottom line: Even the best equipment cannot perform correctly without proper airflow.
Why Both Tests Matter (And Why Skipping Either One Is Risky)
Think of it like this:
The heat load calculation determines the correct system size for your home.
The TruFlow® air test confirms your ductwork can support that system.
Skipping either step can lead to comfort issues, reduced efficiency, and premature wear, even with brand-new equipment.
This is exactly why Hendrix evaluates first. It is how we avoid common replacement mistakes and deliver results that last.
Why Precision Matters Even More With Today’s HVAC Systems
Modern HVAC systems are more efficient and more precise than older systems. They are also designed to operate within tighter tolerances.
That is good news for homeowners, because when sizing and airflow are correct, today’s systems can deliver outstanding comfort and efficiency.
But it also means details matter more than ever.
Accurate testing helps protect your investment and ensures modern systems perform as designed. If you are replacing an older system, you deserve more than a “swap it out and hope” approach.
What This Means for You as a Homeowner
When we perform these evaluations before recommending a replacement, we are helping ensure:
The correct size system for your home
Ductwork capable of delivering proper airflow
Reliable comfort, efficiency, and long-term performance
This is not about making the process complicated. It is about getting it right.
Common Questions We Hear (And Straight Answers)
“Can’t you just replace what I already have?”
Sometimes the existing system was sized well. Sometimes it was not. And even if it was, the home may have changed over time: new windows, added insulation, remodels, or even just different comfort expectations.
We check the data so you do not inherit old mistakes.
“Isn’t a bigger system safer?”
It feels that way, but in HVAC, oversizing often creates more problems than it solves. Proper sizing is what delivers stable comfort and better long-term performance.
“Does this mean I need new ductwork?”
Not always. The TruFlow® test tells us what your duct system can support. If improvements are needed, we will walk you through what matters most and why. We do not recommend add-ons you do not need.
Why Hendrix Does It This Way
Hendrix has been family-owned and locally operated since the 1950s. We live and work here, and we plan to keep serving our neighbors across the Mid Willamette Valley for decades to come.
That kind of reputation is built on doing things the right way:
We do not oversize systems.
We do not push one-size-fits-all recommendations.
Our team is made up of local people from neighborhoods just like yours, who are invested the communities they serve.
We are trusted by homeowners across the region, backed by thousands of 5-star reviews.
This evaluation process is not a gimmick. It is one of the most practical ways we protect your comfort and your investment.
Ready to Replace Your HVAC System the Right Way?
If you are considering HVAC replacement in Tangent, Albany, Corvallis, Salem, Lebanon, Eugene, Springfield, or anywhere nearby, we would be glad to help you make a confident decision.
Schedule a replacement evaluation and we will walk you through:
A heat load calculation to size your system correctly
A TruFlow® air test to confirm airflow and duct support
Clear options that fit your home and budget, without pressure
Call Hendrix Heating & Air Conditioning or request an estimate online. If you prefer, use the chat on our site and we will get you scheduled.
Comfort For Life