Whether you’re putting on a second family room, a guest space or enlarging the kitchen, having more square footage in your residence is sure to be convenient. Just keep in mind you need to consider the heating and cooling requirements of the new space. One of those factors should incorporate whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Charlotte. Our guide 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 room instead of putting on entirely new rooms, you may not need to enhance the HVAC system at all. This is usually the situation if your heating and cooling units were oversized originally. Get a load calculation from an Expert technician, for example one from Komfort Air Service Experts by calling 704-705-8135. This will determine if your existing HVAC setup can handle the modifications you’ve made to your house.
Option 2: Install a New HVAC System
Another solution for getting heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to extend the ductwork from your present forced-air system. If you rely on radiators or baseboard heating, you can add hot water piping to the new room.
Please note that, in addition to ductwork or water piping, you could also have to install HVAC equipment to handle the increased load. The following increase in electricity consumption could even need an enhanced electrical panel. If your heating and cooling system requires a replacement soon, this may be a good option.
Option 3: Install a Ductless Mini-Split
Rather than upgrading your existing unit to manage the additional square footage, you can add a stand-alone one. Ductless mini-splits are perfect for this. They have two parts. There’s a condensing system that is placed on a slab near your home, much like 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 provide both heating and cooling for constant comfort from a single system.
Since it has a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, you don’t need ductwork. You can even link up to four indoor blowers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in differing areas in your residence. A ductless mini-split could be the right HVAC option for your home addition if:
- Your existing system can’t handle the extra square footage, and you’re not able to replace it all right away.
- The old and expanded rooms have differing heating and cooling needs.
- You are looking to add air conditioning to your home without installing or extending the ductwork.
If you need help deciding which HVAC option is best, let Komfort Air Service Experts give our recommendations. We have a wealth of experience helping homeowners adjust their indoor comfort, with a dedication to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC solutions.
Let us start by conducting a load calculation to determine your needs. Then, we can provide cost breakdowns for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. getting a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll give you all the options so you can make a wise decision. To get started, call at 704-705-8135 to schedule an appointment today!