Whether you’re putting on a second family room, a guest space or growing the kitchen, having additional square footage in your home is sure to be handy. Just keep in mind you need to consider the heating and cooling requirements of the new space. One of those factors should include whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Orlando. Our guidebook will help you as you take the first step in the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Needed
If the home addition calls for enlarging a space instead of adding completely new rooms, you may not need to upgrade the HVAC system at all. This is most likely the case if your heating and cooling units were too big when they were installed. Request a load calculation from a pro technician, like one from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning by calling 407-329-7661. This will figure out if your current HVAC setup can take on the upgrades you’ve made to your home.
Option 2: Replace Your HVAC System
Another option for getting heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to add on to the ductwork from your existing forced-air unit. If you use radiators or baseboard heating, you can extend hot water piping to the new area.
Be mindful that, adding ductwork or water piping, you may also have to add HVAC equipment to take care of the bigger load. The resulting 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 solution.
Option 3: Get a Ductless Mini-Split
Instead of getting a new unit to cover the additional space, you can get a stand-alone one. Ductless mini-splits are great for this. They consist of two parts. There’s a condensing system that sits on the ground outdoors, similar to an air conditioner. Then there’s the sleek indoor blower that is placed on the ceiling or wall.
Similar to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems deliver both heating and cooling for constant comfort from a sole piece of equipment.
Since there’s a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, ductwork isn’t necessary. You can even link up to four indoor units with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in differing parts of your house. A ductless mini-split might be the ideal HVAC system for your home addition if:
- Your present system can’t take on the extra room, and you’re not able to replace it all today.
- The old and expanded rooms have varying heating and cooling needs.
- You are looking to add air conditioning to your residence without putting in or extending the ductwork.
If you need help determining which HVAC option is best, let Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning provide our advice. We have a wealth of experience helping homeowners dial in their indoor comfort, with a dedication to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC solutions.
Let us start by doing a load calculation to figure out your needs. Then, we can offer cost listings for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. putting in a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll offer you all the solutions so you can make an informed decision. To get started, contact us at 407-329-7661 to schedule an appointment today!