Whether you’re adding a second family room, a guest area or enlarging the kitchen, having more square footage in your residence is sure to prove useful. Just don't forget to consider the heating and cooling requirements of the new area. One of those considerations should include whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in the U.S.. Our guidebook will help you as you begin the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Needed
If the home addition involves expanding an area instead of putting on entirely new rooms, you may not need to upgrade the HVAC system at all. This is most likely the situation if your heating and cooling units were too big when they were installed. Request a load calculation from a professional technician, such as one from Service Experts by calling (866) 963-7996. This will determine if your existing HVAC equipment can manage the modifications you’ve made to your house.
Option 2: Replace Your HVAC System
Another solution for bringing heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to add on to the ductwork from your existing forced-air system. If you use radiators or baseboard heating, you can extend hot water piping to the new room.
Be aware that, along with ductwork or water piping, you could also have to install HVAC equipment to manage the increased load. The resulting increase in electricity usage could even need an enhanced electrical panel. If your heating and cooling system is due for a replacement soon, this could be perfectly acceptable.
Option 3: Get a Ductless Mini-Split
In place of getting a new system to handle the extra space, you can put in a stand-alone one. Ductless mini-splits are perfect for this. They use two parts. There’s a condensing unit that sits on a slab outside, much like an air conditioner. Then there’s the compact indoor blower that mounts on the ceiling or wall.
Like a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems provide both heating and cooling for continuous comfort from a single system.
Since it has a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, no ductwork is required. You can even add up to four indoor units with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in different areas in your house. A ductless mini-split could be the ideal HVAC system for your home addition if:
- Your existing system can’t take on the additional room, and you’re not prepared to replace every part right away.
- The old and additional rooms have varying heating and cooling needs.
- You would like to add air conditioning to your residence without getting or extending the ductwork.
If you need help deciding which HVAC option is right for you, let Service Experts give our recommendations. We have a wealth of experience helping homeowners fine-tune their indoor comfort, with a passion for efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC solutions.
Let us start by conducting a load calculation to determine your needs. Then, we can provide cost breakdowns for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. getting a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll give you all the options so you can make an informed decision. To start, contact us at (866) 963-7996 to schedule an appointment now!
