Whether you’re building a second family room, a guest area or growing the kitchen, having additional square footage in your home is sure to be handy. Just keep in mind you need to think over the heating and cooling necessities of the new room. One of those points should include whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Albany. Our guidebook will help you as you get started with the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Necessary
If the home addition involves expanding a room as opposed to adding completely new rooms, you may not need to upgrade the HVAC system at all. This is often the case if your heating and cooling equipment was too large to begin with. Request a load calculation from a pro technician, such as one from Roland J. Down Service Experts by calling 518-417-2938. This will figure out if your present HVAC system can manage the modifications you’ve made to your residence.
Option 2: Replace Your HVAC System
Another option for getting heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to extend the ductwork from your current forced-air system. If you rely on radiators or baseboard heating, you can extend hot water piping to the new area.
Please note that, along with ductwork or water piping, you might also have to install HVAC equipment to manage the bigger load. The resulting increase in electricity consumption may even call for an enhanced electrical panel. If your heating and cooling system requires a replacement soon, this could be a good option.
Option 3: Install a Ductless Mini-Split
Rather than installing a new equipment to handle the additional square footage, you can put in a stand-alone one. Ductless mini-splits are ideal for this. They use two parts. There’s a condensing unit that is installed on cement outside, akin to an air conditioner. Then there’s the space-saving indoor blower that mounts on the ceiling or wall.
Similar to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems offer both heating and cooling for continuous comfort from a single solution.
Since it uses a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, no ductwork is required. You can even link up to four indoor blowers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in distinct areas in your home. A ductless mini-split may be the best HVAC option for your home addition if:
- Your existing system can’t absorb the added room, and you’re not ready to replace every part right away.
- The old and expanded rooms have different heating and cooling needs.
- You want to add air conditioning to your residence without installing or lengthening the ductwork.
If you need help figuring out which HVAC option is right for you, let Roland J. Down Service Experts provide our suggestions. We have a lot of experience helping homeowners fine-tune their indoor comfort, with a commitment to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC options.
We’ll get started by performing a load calculation to figure out your needs. Then, we can give cost breakdowns for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. putting in a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll give you all the possibilities so you can make an informed decision. To get started, call at 518-417-2938 to schedule an appointment today!