Whether you’re adding a second family room, a guest space or expanding the kitchen, having extra square footage in your residence is sure to be convenient. Just keep in mind you need to consider the heating and cooling needs of the new space. One of those considerations should include whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Jacksonville. Our guidebook will help you as you begin the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Necessary
If the home addition involves enlarging a room instead of putting on totally new rooms, you may not need to upgrade the HVAC system at all. This is usually the situation if your heating and cooling equipment was oversized when they were installed. Request a load calculation from a professional technician, such as one from Air Engineers Service Experts by calling 904-450-5672. This will figure out if your present HVAC setup can manage the changes you’ve made to your residence.
Option 2: Replace Your HVAC System
Another option for bringing heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to extend the ductwork from your current forced-air system. If you have radiators or baseboard heating, you can lengthen hot water piping to the new area.
Be aware that, along with ductwork or water piping, you might also have to put in HVAC equipment to manage the increased load. The ensuing increase in electricity usage might even need a new electrical panel. If your heating and cooling system requires a replacement soon, this might be a good solution.
Option 3: Get a Ductless Mini-Split
Rather than upgrading your existing unit to handle the additional space, you can get a stand-alone one. Ductless mini-splits are perfect for this. They use two parts. There’s a condensing system that sits on the ground outdoors, similar to an air conditioner. Then there’s the space-saving indoor blower that is installed to the ceiling or wall.
Akin to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems offer both heating and cooling for continual comfort from a sole piece of equipment.
Since it uses a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, ductwork isn’t necessary. You can even link up to four indoor air handlers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in differing parts of your residence. A ductless mini-split might be the ideal HVAC option for your home addition if:
- Your current system can’t take on the added area, and you’re not prepared to replace everything today.
- The old and new additions have varying heating and cooling needs.
- You are looking to add air conditioning to your residence without getting or adding on to the ductwork.
If you need help deciding which HVAC option is best, let Air Engineers Service Experts offer our suggestions. We have years of experience helping homeowners dial in their indoor comfort, with a dedication to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC options.
We’ll get started by doing a load calculation to learn your needs. Then, we can provide cost comparisons 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 smart decision. To start, contact us at 904-450-5672 to schedule an appointment today!