Whether you’re putting on a second family room, a guest suite or enlarging the kitchen, having extra square footage in your house is sure to be convenient. Just remember to think about the heating and cooling necessities of the new space. One of those factors should cover whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Miami. Our guidebook will help you as you get started with the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Necessary
If the home addition includes enlarging a space as opposed to putting on entirely new rooms, you may not need to enhance the HVAC system at all. This is usually the instance if your heating and cooling units were oversized to begin with. Schedule a load calculation from a pro technician, such as one from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning by calling 305-440-1505. This will figure out if your current HVAC equipment can handle the changes you’ve made to your home.
Option 2: HVAC System Upgrade
Another idea for bringing heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to add on to the ductwork from your current forced-air system. If you use radiators or baseboard heating, you can add hot water piping to the new area.
Be aware that, in addition to ductwork or water piping, you might also have to put in HVAC equipment to manage the higher load. The resulting increase in electricity use might even require an enhanced electrical panel. If your heating and cooling system is due for a replacement soon, this might be a good option.
Option 3: Install a Ductless Mini-Split
Instead of upgrading your existing system to manage the added space, you can add a freestanding one. Ductless mini-splits are great for this. They have two parts. There’s a condensing unit that sits on a slab near your home, akin to an air conditioner. Then there’s the small indoor blower that is installed on the ceiling or wall.
Akin to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems deliver both heating and cooling for continual comfort from a single piece of equipment.
Since it uses a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, you don’t need ductwork. You can even join up to four indoor units with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in distinct areas in your residence. A ductless mini-split could be the ideal HVAC system for your home addition if:
- Your current system can’t take on the added room, and you’re not ready to replace every part right now.
- The old and new spaces have varying heating and cooling needs.
- You would like to add air conditioning to your house without putting in or extending the ductwork.
If you need help deciding which HVAC option is best, let Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning give our suggestions. We have years of experience helping homeowners fine-tune their indoor comfort, with a commitment to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC options.
We’ll get started by completing a load calculation to learn your needs. Then, we can offer cost breakdowns for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. getting a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll give you all the possibilities so you can make an informed decision. To get started, reach at 305-440-1505 to schedule an appointment now!