Whether you’re building a second family room, a guest space or enlarging the kitchen, having additional square footage in your residence is sure to be handy. Just keep in mind you need to consider the heating and cooling necessities of the new room. One of those considerations should include whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Pierre. Our guide will help you as you take the first step in the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Required
If the home addition calls for enlarging an area rather than putting on 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 equipment was too big when they were installed. Schedule a load calculation from a professional technician, for example one from Peitz Service Experts by calling 605-223-0307. This will figure out if your current HVAC setup can manage the changes you’ve made to your home.
Option 2: Replace Your HVAC System
Another idea for bringing heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to extend the ductwork from your current forced-air unit. If you have radiators or baseboard heating, you can add hot water piping to the new room.
Bear in mind that, adding ductwork or water piping, you may also have to put in HVAC equipment to take care of the increased load. The ensuing increase in electricity consumption might even require an enhanced 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 area, you can install a stand-alone one. Ductless mini-splits are perfect for this. They use two parts. There’s a condensing system that sits on cement outdoors, akin to an air conditioner. Then there’s the sleek indoor blower that is placed against the ceiling or wall.
Like a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems provide both heating and cooling for all-season comfort from one system.
Since it includes a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, ductwork isn’t necessary. You can even join up to four indoor blowers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in distinct parts of your house. A ductless mini-split might be the right HVAC option for your home addition if:
- Your existing system can’t take on the extra room, and you’re not able to replace everything right now.
- The old and new spaces have varying heating and cooling needs.
- You are looking to add air conditioning to your house without putting in or extending the ductwork.
If you need help figuring out which HVAC option is ideal, let Peitz Service Experts give our advice. We have years of experience helping homeowners dial in their indoor comfort, with a commitment to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC solutions.
Let us start by performing a load calculation to learn your needs. Then, we can give cost breakdowns for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. putting in a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll present you with all the solutions so you can make an informed decision. To get started, call at 605-223-0307 to schedule an appointment now!