Before finalizing your plans for a room addition, it’s a good idea to bring in your HVAC contractor if you plan to heat and cool it for year-round use. The expertise the contractor brings will help you learn if your existing system will work, or you need to consider upgrading your HVAC system.
The factors that may limit using the existing system include its size and age. If the system isn’t large enough to take on the extra space, the rest of your home will suffer as well. Equipment that’s reaching the end of its lifetime is likely to break down faster because of the increased load.
The addition itself might dictate how you condition it. If it’s impractical to run ductwork because of its size or placement, you can use a ductless mini-split heat pump to supply conditioned air. These systems operate independently from central HVAC systems, are energy efficient, and easy to install. They use their own condenser and air handler, don’t lose any space for ductwork, and have their own thermostats.
The Upgrading Process
The HVAC technician will determine the best size for the new system by conducting a load calculation that includes the new space you’re building. Contractors take into account the overall energy efficiency of the structure, the layout of the home, family characteristics and the total cubic footage.
Upgrading your HVAC also gives you options about choosing its energy efficiency ratings and features. It’s likely that you can fold the cost of the new system into the financing for the addition, which makes it possible for many to upgrade to higher efficiency equipment. More efficient equipment cuts your monthly energy costs and over time the extra cost will pay for itself in lower energy bills.
Adding a room to your home might be a good time for upgrading your HVAC equipment to achieve more whole-house comfort and lower energy use. To learn more about your best choices, contact Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning, proudly serving homeowners in the Fort Wayne area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about upgrading your HVAC and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 260-376-2961.
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