Whether you’re building a second family room, a guest space or growing the kitchen, having more square footage in your residence is sure to be handy. Just remember to think about the heating and cooling needs of the new room. One of those points should include whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Gaithersburg. Our guide will help you as you get started with the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Needed
If the home addition calls for enlarging a space rather than putting on entirely new rooms, you may not need to improve the HVAC system at all. This is usually the case if your heating and cooling system was too big to begin with. Get a load calculation from an Expert technician, like one from Parker Pearce Service Experts by calling 301-476-4577. This will decide if your present HVAC setup can handle the upgrades you’ve made to your residence.
Option 2: HVAC System Upgrade
Another solution for delivering heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to lengthen the ductwork from your current forced-air unit. If you use radiators or baseboard heating, you can lengthen hot water piping to the new area.
Please note that, in addition to ductwork or water piping, you could also have to install HVAC equipment to handle the bigger load. The following increase in electricity usage might even call for an electrical panel upgrade. If your heating and cooling system is due for a replacement soon, this might be a good solution.
Option 3: Get a Ductless Mini-Split
Rather than getting a new system to manage the added space, you can put in a stand-alone one. Ductless mini-splits are great for this. They have two parts. There’s a condensing system that is installed on cement near your home, similar to an air conditioner. Then there’s the sleek indoor blower that is installed to the ceiling or wall.
Like a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems provide both heating and cooling for all-season comfort from one solution.
Since it includes a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, zero ductwork is required. You can even join up to four indoor air handlers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in distinct spaces in your home. A ductless mini-split may be the best HVAC option for your home addition if:
- Your present system can’t handle the additional area, and you’re not prepared to replace it all right away.
- The old and expanded spaces have different 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 determining which HVAC option is best, let Parker Pearce Service Experts give our advice. We have a wealth of experience helping homeowners dial in their indoor comfort, with a passion for efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC systems.
We’ll start the process by conducting a load calculation to figure out your needs. Then, we can give cost breakdowns for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. installing a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll offer you all the options so you can make a wise decision. To begin, call at 301-476-4577 to schedule an appointment today!