Whether you’re building a second family room, a guest suite or expanding the kitchen, having additional square footage in your home is sure to be handy. Just don’t forget to think about the heating and cooling requirements of the new room. One of those considerations should cover whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Rochester. Our instructions will help you as you begin the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Needed
If the home addition involves expanding a space instead of putting on entirely new rooms, you may not need to upgrade the HVAC system at all. This is most likely the case if your heating and cooling equipment was too large to begin with. Schedule a load calculation from a professional technician, for example one from Strogen's Service Experts by calling 603-923-4570. This will decide if your existing HVAC setup can manage the modifications you’ve made to your residence.
Option 2: HVAC System Upgrade
Another solution for delivering heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to extend the ductwork from your existing forced-air equipment. If you use radiators or baseboard heating, you can lengthen hot water piping to the new room.
Bear in mind that, in addition to ductwork or water piping, you might also have to add HVAC equipment to handle the higher load. The ensuing increase in electricity usage might even need an electrical panel upgrade. If your heating and cooling system is due for a replacement soon, this could be a good solution.
Option 3: Get a Ductless Mini-Split
Instead of installing a new unit to manage the extra square footage, you can put in a stand-alone one. Ductless mini-splits are perfect for this. They have two parts. There’s a condensing component that is placed on cement near your home, similar to an air conditioner. Then there’s the small indoor blower that is placed against the ceiling or wall.
Like a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems deliver both heating and cooling for continuous comfort from one setup.
Since it includes a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, ductwork isn’t necessary. You can even add up to four indoor units with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in differing spaces in your house. A ductless mini-split might be the right HVAC option for your home addition if:
- Your present system can’t absorb the additional space, and you’re not able to replace it all right away.
- The old and expanded rooms have varying heating and cooling needs.
- You are looking to add air conditioning to your home without installing or extending the ductwork.
If you need help deciding which HVAC option is best, let Strogen's Service Experts offer our recommendations. We have a lot of experience helping homeowners adjust their indoor comfort, with a passion for efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC options.
We’ll get started by doing a load calculation to determine your needs. Then, we can give cost listings for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. putting in a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll give you all the solutions so you can make an informed decision. To get started, call at 603-923-4570 to schedule an appointment now!