Does a Home Addition Call for Upgrading My HVAC System?
Whether you’re adding a second family room, a guest area or expanding the kitchen, having extra square footage in your house is sure to be handy. Just keep in mind you need to think over the heating and cooling needs of the new area. One of those points should cover whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Windsor. Our instructions will help you as you begin the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Required
If the home addition calls for expanding an area instead of adding completely new rooms, you may not need to upgrade the HVAC system at all. This is most likely the situation if your heating and cooling system was too large to begin with. Get a load calculation from an Expert technician, such as one from Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts by calling 226-773-3357. This will decide if your present HVAC system can manage the upgrades you’ve made to your home.
Option 2: Upgrade Your HVAC System
Another option for delivering heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to add on to the ductwork from your present forced-air equipment. If you rely on radiators or baseboard heating, you can add hot water piping to the new area.
Bear in mind that, in addition to ductwork or water piping, you could also have to install HVAC equipment to handle the bigger load. The subsequent increase in electricity consumption might even require an electrical panel upgrade. If your heating and cooling system requires a replacement soon, this could be a good option.
Option 3: Install a Ductless Mini-Split
Instead of getting a new system to handle the additional space, you can add an independent one. Ductless mini-splits are perfect for this. They have two parts. There’s a condensing component that is installed on cement near your home, much like an air conditioner. Then there’s the small indoor blower that is installed against the ceiling or wall.
Akin to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems offer both heating and cooling for continuous comfort from a sole system.
Since it links with a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, zero ductwork is required. You can even link up to four indoor units with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in different parts of your residence. A ductless mini-split might be the best HVAC option for your home addition if:
- Your existing system can’t absorb the extra area, and you’re not prepared to replace it all right away.
- The old and expanded additions have differing heating and cooling needs.
- You would like to add air conditioning to your home without installing or lengthening the ductwork.
If you need help determining which HVAC option is ideal, let Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts offer our advice. We have years of experience helping homeowners fine-tune their indoor comfort, with a commitment to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC systems.
We’ll start the process by conducting a load calculation to figure out your needs. Then, we can provide cost breakdowns for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. putting in a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll offer you all the possibilities so you can make an informed decision. To get started, contact us at 226-773-3357 to schedule an appointment right away!
