An addition is a great way to expand your living space and extra features that make your home easier to use and more marketable. You could build a guest suite, enlarge the kitchen, build a new family, and more. But, have you paid much attention to the heating and cooling needs of this extra living space? A major choice will be whether you need to upgrade the HVAC system to make those areas comfortable. In this article, we will explore some of your options in more detail to help you make an informed decision.
No HVAC Upgrade is Required
If your new home additions involve the enlarging of an existing living space and not building new rooms, you may be able to avoid upgrading your existing HVAC system. But, there is a caveat, this situation usually arises if the HVAC system was already oversized. It is possible for a system to be slightly larger than needed and this may be enough to accommodate your extra square footage.
An oversized can be a sign of a poor initial HVAC system installation that may have occurred before you purchased your home. Many people believe that their heating and cooling equipment should be the largest that they can afford and that’s what they install. This is a mistake because the equipment must be carefully matched to the size of your home with a complex load calculation. This formula takes a large number of factors into account including the square footage to find the ideal HVAC system size. If the system is too large or too small, it can cause a number of problems, including short cycling, excessive energy consumption, and more. But, if you have not noticed these problems, then you may have been lucky and your system falls into a safer band.
It’s a great idea to play it safe, contact your local heating and cooling specialist before you make any major decisions. They can carry out a load calculation for you and examine your existing HVAC system. This will allow them to offer you advice on the best option to heat and cool your existing home and the new additions.
The HVAC System Upgrade is Needed
To get the treated air to the home addition, it’s likely that you will need to extend your existing ductwork. This network of pipes will carry the air from your current HVAC system to make those new spaces comfortable. If you’re going to be installing baseboard heating or radiators, you will need to bring hot water pipes into the new room too. But, it’s also important to note that when you add extra water piping and ductwork, it’s likely that you’re going to need a larger HVAC system to handle the extra demand. The increased energy use may even require an installation of a new electrical panel too. This may seem like a disaster, but if your existing HVAC system is reaching the end of its useful lifespan, it may be a blessing in disguise. Installing a modern high-efficiency HVAC system will boost performance and improve energy efficiency.
Installing a Ductless Mini-Split
If you don’t have the budget for an entire HVAC system replacement, there are other options to boost your heating and cooling capacity to handle the extra square footage. Adding a dedicated ductless mini-split unit that is only used for the new space is a good compromise. A ductless mini-split is comprised of two main parts, they are:
- The Indoor Unit: This is attached to a wall or ceiling. It’s a blower unit that delivers cooled or heated air into the new space.
- The Outdoor Unit: This is installed on an external wall like the outdoor AC units. This unit houses a condenser system and other components that work with the indoor unit.
These two units work together in a similar way to a central heat pump and the system can be used to heat or cool the home addition. Because the air handler is mounted on the wall or ceiling, you don’t need to install any ductwork. In fact, you could add up to four indoor units to a single outdoor unit, if you want to set up zoned cooling and heating in a larger addition.
In summary, there are three main reasons why a ductless mini-split could solve your heating and cooling problems in a home addition, they are:
- Your existing HVAC system cannot handle the new load and you don’t want to replace the heating and cooling equipment right now.
- You don’t want to install extra ductwork or hot water pipes.
- The home additions don’t have the same cooling and heating requirements as the rest of your home.
A ductless mini-split can be installed faster than you might imagine by a local certified HVAC specialist. A DIY installation is not recommended because it’s easy to damage the units and void the warranty. Also, when a mini-duct split is installed incorrectly, it can lead to a number of other problems that you want to avoid.
Dealing with Other Problems
When any major projects are carried out, it’s natural to discover hidden problems that need to be solved. This is very applicable when it comes to the performance and efficiency of your heating and cooling equipment. If your system is disturbed, it can cause problems and a prime example would be a crack or break in the ductwork. This can release treated air which lowers the energy efficiency leading to higher bills. Even if your HVAC system can handle the needs of the new addition, it will benefit from a tune-up. Older HVAC equipment will lose efficiency over time and it is possible to get some of that efficiency back with regular inspections and maintenance. The best time for an HVAC system service is prior to each heating and cooling season.
If you need advice about heating and cooling your new home addition and you need a complex load calculation, contact your local certified HVAC specialist today.