Whether you’re adding a second family room, a guest space or expanding the kitchen, having extra square footage in your house is sure to be handy. Just keep in mind you need to consider the heating and cooling requirements of the new area. One of those points should incorporate whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Richmond. Our guidebook will help you as you take the first step in the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Required
If the home addition includes growing a room as opposed to putting on totally new rooms, you may not need to upgrade the HVAC system at all. This is usually the case if your heating and cooling equipment was too large originally. Schedule a load calculation from a pro technician, such as one from Eveready Service Experts by calling 804-548-4480. This will decide if your present HVAC equipment can take on the upgrades you’ve made to your home.
Option 2: HVAC System Upgrade
Another solution for getting heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to lengthen the ductwork from your existing forced-air unit. If you rely on radiators or baseboard heating, you can add hot water piping to the new room.
Be aware that, in addition to ductwork or water piping, you might also have to put in HVAC equipment to manage the bigger load. The ensuing increase in electricity use could even require a new electrical panel. If your heating and cooling system requires a replacement soon, this might be a good option.
Option 3: Install a Ductless Mini-Split
Rather than upgrading your existing unit to cover the extra space, you can put in a stand-alone one. Ductless mini-splits are perfect for this. They use two parts. There’s a condensing unit that is placed on cement outside, akin to an air conditioner. Then there’s the sleek 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 constant comfort from one setup.
Since it links with a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, ductwork isn’t necessary. You can even link up to four indoor blowers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in distinct parts of your residence. A ductless mini-split could be the ideal 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 spaces have differing heating and cooling needs.
- You are looking to add air conditioning to your home without getting or lengthening the ductwork.
If you need help deciding which HVAC option is best, let Eveready Service Experts give our recommendations. We have a lot 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 learn your needs. Then, we can provide cost comparisons for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. getting a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll give you all the solutions so you can make an informed decision. To begin, call at 804-548-4480 to schedule an appointment now!