Whether you’re adding a second family room, a guest area or growing the kitchen, having extra square footage in your home is sure to be convenient. Just don’t forget to consider the heating and cooling requirements of the new space. One of those points should incorporate whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Tempe. Our guidebook will help you as you get started with the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Required
If the home addition includes enlarging a room as opposed to building entirely new rooms, you may not need to enhance the HVAC system at all. This is often the instance if your heating and cooling units were too big originally. Schedule a load calculation from a pro technician, such as one from Orangutan Home Services by calling 602-906-0111. This will decide if your current HVAC equipment can handle the modifications you’ve made to your house.
Option 2: Install a New HVAC System
Another solution for getting heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to extend the ductwork from your present forced-air equipment. If you rely on radiators or baseboard heating, you can extend hot water piping to the new room.
You should know that, adding ductwork or water piping, you may also have to install HVAC equipment to take care of the higher load. The subsequent increase in electricity consumption might even call for a new electrical panel. If your heating and cooling system needs to be replaced soon, this might be a good option.
Option 3: Install a Ductless Mini-Split
Instead of getting a new equipment to handle the additional area, you can add a freestanding one. Ductless mini-splits are perfect for this. They consist of two parts. There’s a condensing component that is installed on the ground outdoors, akin to an air conditioner. Then there’s the sleek indoor blower that mounts to the ceiling or wall.
Akin to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems provide both heating and cooling for year-round comfort from one solution.
Since there’s a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, ductwork isn’t necessary. You can even join up to four indoor air handlers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in differing spaces in your home. A ductless mini-split might be the ideal HVAC option for your home addition if:
- Your current system can’t handle the extra room, and you’re not able to replace every part right now.
- The old and additional additions have varying heating and cooling needs.
- You want to add air conditioning to your house without installing or lengthening the ductwork.
If you need help figuring out which HVAC option is right for you, let Orangutan Home Services give our recommendations. We have a lot of experience helping homeowners fine-tune their indoor comfort, with a dedication to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC options.
We’ll get started by completing a load calculation to determine your needs. Then, we can give cost comparisons for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. getting a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll offer you all the options so you can make a smart decision. To start, contact us at 602-906-0111 to schedule an appointment now!