Whether you’re putting on a second family room, a guest suite or enlarging the kitchen, having additional square footage in your house is sure to prove useful. Just keep in mind you need to think about the heating and cooling necessities of the new room. One of those factors should incorporate whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Austin. Our guide will help you as you begin the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Required
If the home addition includes growing a room rather than putting on completely new rooms, you may not need to enhance the HVAC system at all. This is most likely the case if your heating and cooling units were too large originally. Schedule a load calculation from an Expert technician, for example one from Strand Brothers Service Experts by calling 512-592-3072 . This will affect if your current HVAC setup can handle the modifications you’ve made to your residence.
Option 2: Upgrade Your HVAC System
Another option for delivering heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to extend the ductwork from your present forced-air system. If you use radiators or baseboard heating, you can lengthen hot water piping to the new space.
Be aware that, in addition to ductwork or water piping, you might also have to put in HVAC equipment to take care of the increased load. The ensuing increase in electricity use might even call for a new electrical panel. If your heating and cooling system needs to be replaced soon, this could be a good option.
Option 3: Install a Ductless Mini-Split
Instead of installing a new system to cover the added square footage, you can install a stand-alone one. Ductless mini-splits are great for this. They use two parts. There’s a condensing system that sits on a slab near your home, similar to an air conditioner. Then there’s the small indoor blower that is installed on the ceiling or wall.
Similar to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems provide both heating and cooling for year-round comfort from a sole piece of equipment.
Since it includes a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, no ductwork is required. You can even join up to four indoor air handlers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in different spaces in your home. A ductless mini-split could be the ideal HVAC option for your home addition if:
- Your present system can’t absorb the additional area, and you’re not prepared to replace it all right away.
- The old and expanded spaces have varying heating and cooling needs.
- You want to add air conditioning to your home without getting or extending the ductwork.
If you need help deciding which HVAC option is ideal, let Strand Brothers Service Experts give our suggestions. We have a wealth of experience helping homeowners fine-tune their indoor comfort, with a commitment to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC solutions.
Let us start by completing a load calculation to determine your needs. Then, we can provide cost breakdowns for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. installing a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll offer you all the solutions so you can make an informed decision. To begin, reach at 512-592-3072 to schedule an appointment now!