Whether you’re building a second family room, a guest suite or expanding the kitchen, having extra square footage in your home is sure to be convenient. Just keep in mind you need to consider the heating and cooling necessities of the new space. One of those considerations should include whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Philadelphia. Our guide will help you as you take the first step in the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Necessary
If the home addition calls for growing a room as opposed to building totally new rooms, you may not need to upgrade the HVAC system at all. This is most likely the case if your heating and cooling system was too big to begin with. Book a load calculation from a professional technician, like one from Stallion Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning by calling 215-278-9690. This will determine if your existing HVAC system can take on the upgrades you’ve made to your house.
Option 2: Upgrade Your HVAC System
Another idea for bringing heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to extend the ductwork from your existing forced-air system. If you have radiators or baseboard heating, you can extend hot water piping to the new space.
You should know that, adding ductwork or water piping, you may also have to add HVAC equipment to handle the bigger load. The subsequent increase in electricity usage might even call for an enhanced electrical panel. If your heating and cooling system is due for a replacement soon, this may be a good option.
Option 3: Install a Ductless Mini-Split
In place of upgrading your existing system to cover the extra space, you can install an independent one. Ductless mini-splits are perfect for this. They have two parts. There’s a condensing unit that sits on the ground near your home, much like an air conditioner. Then there’s the compact indoor blower that mounts against the ceiling or wall.
Similar to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems provide both heating and cooling for all-season comfort from a sole piece of equipment.
Since it uses a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, ductwork isn’t necessary. You can even add up to four indoor air handlers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in distinct parts of your house. A ductless mini-split could be the ideal HVAC solution for your home addition if:
- Your present system can’t absorb the extra space, and you’re not prepared to replace it all right away.
- The old and new additions have varying heating and cooling needs.
- You are looking to add air conditioning to your house without getting or lengthening the ductwork.
If you need help figuring out which HVAC option is best, let Stallion Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning provide our suggestions. We have a lot of experience helping homeowners adjust their indoor comfort, with a passion for efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC options.
We’ll get started by performing 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 start, reach at 215-278-9690 to schedule an appointment today!