Should You Install a New HVAC System for a Home Addition? 

Whether you’re building a second family room, a guest suite or enlarging the kitchen, having more square footage in your residence is sure to be handy. Just remember to consider the heating and cooling necessities of the new room. One of those considerations should involve whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in the U.S.. Our instructions will help you as you take the first step in the process.

Option 1: No Upgrade Necessary

If the home addition involves enlarging an area instead of adding completely new rooms, you may not need to upgrade the HVAC system at all. This is often the instance if your heating and cooling equipment was too big when they were installed. Get a load calculation from an Expert technician, like one from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing by calling 866-397-3787. This will decide if your existing HVAC equipment can handle the upgrades you’ve made to your home.

Option 2: Replace Your HVAC System

Another idea for getting heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to add on to the ductwork from your existing forced-air unit. If you have radiators or baseboard heating, you can extend hot water piping to the new space.

Be mindful that, adding ductwork or water piping, you might also have to put in HVAC equipment to handle the higher load. The following increase in electricity use may even call for a new electrical panel. If your heating and cooling system needs to be replaced soon, this may be a good solution.

Option 3: Get a Ductless Mini-Split

Instead of getting a new system to manage the added space, you can add a freestanding one. Ductless mini-splits are ideal for this. They use two parts. There’s a condensing system that is placed on the ground near your home, akin to an air conditioner. Then there’s the compact indoor blower that mounts against the ceiling or wall.

Similar to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems provide both heating and cooling for continual comfort from a sole setup.

Since it has a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, you don’t need ductwork. You can even join up to four indoor air handlers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in distinct parts of your house. A ductless mini-split may be the ideal HVAC solution for your home addition if:

• • Your present system can’t handle the extra space, and you’re not prepared to replace it all right now.

• • The old and expanded spaces have differing heating and cooling needs.

• • You are looking to add air conditioning to your residence without getting or extending the ductwork.

If you need help determining which HVAC option is ideal, let Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing give our recommendations. 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 determine your needs. Then, we can offer cost breakdowns for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. installing a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll give you all the solutions so you can make a wise decision. To start, reach at 866-397-3787 to schedule an appointment today!